Black larder beetle

Description

A black beetle, Dermestes ater, that has no distinctive pattern. The universally found larder beetle larvae feed on animal matter, including leather, fur, wool, feathers, horn, and carcasses. The larvae may also damage to cellulose materials. The adult insects are 7 to 9 mm long and have a life span of up to 2 to 3 months. The larvae grow up to 14 mm in length and can live from 6 to 9 weeks. The larder beetle is one of two species (the other is the hide beetle) formerly used to clean bones in museums.

Synonyms and Related Terms

larder beetle

Resources and Citations

• MuseumPests.net: Black Larder Beetle

• Lynda A. Zycherman, J.Richard Schrock, A Guide to Museum Pest Control, FAIC and Association of Systematics Collections, Washington DC, 1988

• Website: http://entowww.tamu.edu/images/insects/fieldguide/bimg154.html

• Website: http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2104.html