Dermestid

Appliqued beetle wings
MFA# 52.1339

Description

Dermestid beetle

A destructive group of beetles of the family Dermestidae that eat proteinaceous materials such as Wool, Animal glue, Leather, Parchment, and dried animal matter. The oval shaped adult insects range in size from 1.5 to 10 mm and live for two to four weeks. During this time, the female deposits eggs in several locations. After hatching, the larvae eat and destroy nearby food sources. Examples of dermestids are: Black larder beetle, Black carpet beetle, Furniture carpet beetle, Hide beetle, Larder beetle, Powderpost beetle, Cigarette beetle, Varied carpet beetle, Cabinet beetle, Common carpet beetle, Odd beetle, and warehouse beetle.

See also Beetle elytra.

Dermestid beetle

Synonyms and Related Terms

beetles

Resources and Citations

• Hermann Kuhn, Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art and Antiquities, Butterworths, London, 1986

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