Larder beetle

Natural Habitat

Typically found in homes, museums, and food storage facilities. They prefer dark, undisturbed areas where they can find dry animal products to feed on.

Diet & Feeding

Scavengers that feed on a variety of dry animal products, including dried meats, cheeses, pet food, animal carcasses, hides, furs, and even insect collections.

Behavior Patterns

Adults are attracted to light and often found near windows. Larvae are typically found in dark areas feeding. Females lay eggs near a food source. Both larvae and adults can be found throughout the year indoors.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include damage to stored food products, museum specimens, taxidermy, and other animal-derived materials. They can also be a nuisance pest. They are considered a pest species, with no significant benefits in a domestic or human-related context.

Identified on: 12/8/2025