
Community identification
Larder Beetle
Dermestes lardarius
- Order & Family
- Coleoptera: Dermestidae
- Size
- 7 to 9 mm (1/3 inch) in length
Natural Habitat
Found indoors in pantries, kitchens, and warehouses, or outdoors in bird and mammal nests.
Diet & Feeding
Scavengers that feed on high-protein animal products like cured meats, dried fish, pet food, feathers, and dead insects.
Behavior Patterns
Adults are active flyers and attracted to light; larvae are known for boring into soft materials like wood or insulation to pupate.
Risks & Benefits
Hazardous to stored food supplies as a pantry pest. They do not bite or sting humans, but their larvae can cause structural damage during pupation.