Dermestid Beetle (likely a Carpet Beetle or Larder Beetle)
Scientific Name: Species vary within the Dermestidae family, e.g., Dermestes lardarius (Larder Beetle), Anthrenus verbasci (Varied Carpet Beetle), Trogoderma granarium (Khapra Beetle - a notorious pest). Without a clearer image, a specific scientific name is difficult to determine.
Order & Family: Order: Coleoptera, Family: Dermestidae
Size: Adults typically range from 2 mm to 12 mm depending on the species. Larvae can be similar in size or slightly larger.
Natural Habitat
Indoors, they are commonly found in homes, museums, warehouses, and other buildings where their food sources are present. They prefer dark, undisturbed areas such as under furniture, in cracks and crevices, in closets, pantries, and attics. Outdoors, some species live in animal nests, dead animal carcasses, and dried plant matter.
Diet & Feeding
Dermestid beetles, especially their larvae, are scavengers that feed on a wide variety of dried animal and plant products. This includes animal skins, furs, wool, silk, feathers, dried meats, museum specimens, taxidermy, pet food, and sometimes pantry items like grains and pasta. They are known for their ability to digest keratin.
Behavior Patterns
Dermestid beetle larvae are typically active and seek out dark, undisturbed areas where food sources are plentiful. They often feed on dried animal products and can be found in places like pantries, closets, and museum collections. Some species play a role in decomposition in nature. Their life cycle includes egg, several larval instars, pupa, and adult stages.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Can be significant household and museum pests, causing damage to textiles (wool, silk, leather), furs, mounted specimens, and dried food products. Some people may experience mild allergic reactions to their hair or shed skins. They do not bite or transmit diseases to humans. Benefits: Some species are used in forensic entomology to estimate time of death due to their consumption of decaying remains. They are also used in natural history museums to clean animal skeletons for display.
Identified on: 8/17/2025