Dermestidae

{{Short description|Family of beetles}} {{Automatic taxobox | fossil_range = {{Geological range|Jurassic|Recent|earliest=Late Triassic}} | name = Dermestid beetles | image = Anthrenus verbasci MHNT Fronton Side view.jpg | image_caption = Varied carpet beetle (''Anthrenus verbasci'') | taxon = Dermestidae | display_parents = 3 | authority = Latreille, 1804 | subdivision_ranks = Subfamilies | subdivision = *Attageninae *Dermestinae *Megatominae *Orphilinae *Thorictinae *Trinodinae *Trogoparvinae }}

'''Dermestidae''' are a family of Coleoptera that are commonly referred to as '''skin beetles''' or '''carpet beetles'''. Other common names include larder beetles, hide or leather beetles, and khapra beetles. There are over 1,800 species described.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Háva |first=Jiří |date=2021 |title=Dermestidae world (Coleoptera) |url=http://dermestidae.wz.cz/ |access-date=12 February 2023}}</ref>

Dermestids have a variety of habits; most genera are scavengers that feed on dry animal or plant material, such as skin or pollen, animal hair, feathers, dead insects and natural fibers. Members of ''Dermestes'' are found in animal carcasses, while others may be found in mammal, bird, bee, or wasp nests. ''Thaumaglossa'' only lives in the egg cases of mantids, while ''Trogoderma'' species are pests of grain.

These beetles are significant in forensic entomology. Some species are associated with decaying carcasses, which may help with criminal investigations. Some species are pests (urban entomology) and can cause extensive damage to natural fibers in homes and places of business.

They are used in taxidermy and by natural history museums to clean animal skeletons. Some dermestid species, commonly called "bow bugs", infest violin cases, feeding on the bow hair.<ref name="bowbugs00">{{cite web |last=VanClay |first=Mary |title=Bitten By the Bug |url=http://www.johnsonstring.com/Bitten%20By%20Bug.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911054001/http://www.johnsonstring.com/Bitten%20By%20Bug.htm |archive-date=September 11, 2015 |access-date=November 10, 2012 |work=Johnson String Instrument |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

== Description == Adult Dermestidae are generally small beetles (1–12 mm long), rounded to oval in shape, with hairy or scaly elytra that may form distinctive and colourful patterns.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Calder |first=Andrew A. |date=30 May 2006 |title=Family DERMESTIDAE |url=https://biodiversity.org.au/afd/taxa/DERMESTIDAE |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221117215754/https://biodiversity.org.au/afd/taxa/DERMESTIDAE |archive-date=17 November 2022 |access-date=2022-11-17 |website=Australian Faunal Directory |language=en |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="Byrd">{{Cite book |url=https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781420008869 |title=Forensic Entomology |date=2009-09-11 |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=978-0-367-80569-2 |editor-last=Byrd |editor-first=Jason H. |edition=2 |language=en |doi=10.1201/noe0849392153 |editor-last2=Castner |editor-first2=James L.}}</ref> Except in genera ''Dermestes'' and ''Trichelodes'', there is a single ocellus in the middle of the head. The antennae are clubbed (except in male ''Thylodrias contractus'') and usually fit into a groove on the underside of the thorax, concealing them when the beetle is at rest. Adult females of ''T. contractus'' are notable for being larviform, meaning they retain a larval morphology even into adulthood.<ref name=":0" />

Larval Dermestidae range from 5 to 15 mm long and are usually covered in tufts of long, dense hairs (setae).<ref name="Byrd" /> In subfamily Megatominae and the genus ''Trinodes'', some of these setae are hastisetae: barbed setae ending in spear-like heads (''hasta'' being the Latin word for "spear"). Hastisetae serve a defensive role, detaching and entangling predators.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last1=Ruzzier |first1=Enrico |last2=Kadej |first2=Marcin |last3=Battisti |first3=Andrea |date=2020-01-23 |title=Occurrence, ecological function and medical importance of dermestid beetle hastisetae |journal=PeerJ |language=en |volume=8 |article-number=e8340 |doi=10.7717/peerj.8340 |issn=2167-8359 |pmc=6983295 |pmid=32002326 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

Pupae of subfamilies Dermestinae and Attageninae are covered in structures known as gin-traps, as defense against predators. Pupae of Megatominae are protected within the exuviae of the last larval instar.<ref name=":1" />

==Diet and behaviour==

Dermestid larvae are typically found on dry organic items that are hard for other organisms to digest, such as dried foodstuffs, skins, hides, wood and other natural fibers. In forensic studies, the larvae are found on human corpses during the dry and skeletal phases of decomposition, which occurs several days after death.<ref name="Byrd" /><ref>[https://archive.today/20121209180807/http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:6oSRLOL1nT4J:www.clt.uwa.edu.au/__data/page/112507/fse07_forensic_entomology.pdf+hide+beetle+larder+beetle+forensic+entomology&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=4&gl=us Forensic Entomology: Use of Insects to Help Solve Crime]. Forensic Investigations.</ref> Larvae also move away from light and often hide in any cavity in order to remain undisturbed.<ref name="Byrd" /> In natural habitats, they can be found on animal carcasses, under bark, and in the webs, nests and burrows of various animals.<ref name=":0" />

Larvae of subfamilies Dermestinae and Attageninae (which lack hastisetae), burrow into feeding substrates, pupate in concealed locations, and show fast escape behaviours when disturbed. Larvae of Megatominae (which have hastisetae), do not burrow, pupate where they have been feeding, and their response to disturbance is to stop moving, arch the body and spread the hastisetae. This difference may be because hastisetae would be a hindrance for burrowing larvae.<ref name=":1" />

Adult dermestids are known to feed on pollen and nectar.<ref name=":0" /> Adults of ''Dermestes'' are cannibalistic and will eat young larvae and pupae; this means that when kept in captivity, adults should be placed in separate containers from the immature stages.<ref name="Byrd" />

==Economic relevance== ===Urban and stored products===

Dermestid beetles are destructive to a number of common items. Natural fibers such as wool, silk, cotton, linen, fur, or feathers are much more prone to attack than synthetic fibers.<ref>P.G. Koehler and F.M. Oi (1991). [http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IG089 Carpet Beetles]. University of Florida IFAS Extension</ref> Dermestids also attack chocolate, copra, and cocoa beans.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hide beetle |url=https://www.padil.gov.au/viewPest.aspx?id=443 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080518034937/http://www.padil.gov.au/viewPest.aspx?id=443 |archive-date=18 May 2008 |website=Pests and Diseases Image Library}}</ref>

=== Medical === Dermestid hastisetae (a specific group of detachable setae from the larvae of subfamily Megatominae), both those attached to exuviae and those shed by larvae, cause health problems in humans when inhaled (rhinoconjunctivitis, asthma), ingested in contaminated food (nausea, fever, diarrhea, proctitis, perianal itching) or touched with skin (dermatitis).<ref name=":1" />

===Forensic=== [[Image:Human Skull being cleaning by Dermestid Beetles.jpg|thumb|right|Dermestid beetles being used to clean a human skull at Skulls Unlimited International, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.]] ''Dermestes maculatus'', hide beetles, also have the potential to offer investigators an estimation of the time since death in homicide or questionable cases.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Catts |first1=E. P. |first2=M. L. |last2=Goff |year=1992 |title=Forensic entomology in criminal investigations |journal=Annu. Rev. Entomol. |volume=37 |pages=252–272 |doi=10.1146/annurev.en.37.010192.001345 |pmid=1539937}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Goff |first=M. L. |year=1993 |title=Estimation of postmortem interval using arthropod development and successional patterns |journal=Forensic Sci. Rev. |volume=5 |issue=2 |pages=82–94 |pmid=26270076 }}</ref> Similar to the use of flies in forensic entomology, the arrival of ''D. maculatus'' to carrion occurs in a predictable succession. Adult ''D. maculatus'' beetles generally arrive 5 to 11 days after death.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Richards |first1=E. N. |first2=M. L. |last2=Goff |year=1997 |title=Arthropod succession on exposed carrion in three contrasting tropical habitats on Hawaii Islands, Hawaii |journal=J. Med. Entomol. |volume=34 |issue=3 |pages=328–339 |doi= 10.1093/jmedent/34.3.328|pmid=9151499 |doi-access=free }}</ref> In an attempt to refine this relatively wide range, recent research has repeated arthropod succession studies.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Vitta |first=A. |title=A preliminary study on insects associated with pig (''Sus scrofa'') carcasses in Phitsanulok, northern Thailand |journal=Tropical Biomedicine |volume=24 |issue=2 |pages=1–5 |year=2007 |pmid=18209701 |display-authors=etal}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Velazquez |first=Yelitza |year=2008 |title=A checklist of arthropods associated with rat carrion in a montane locality of northern Venezuela |journal=Forensic Science International |volume=174 |issue=1 |pages=67–69 |doi=10.1016/j.forsciint.2007.02.020 |pmid=17386987|hdl=10045/2790 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> These studies are applied to estimate the arrival of various species of Dermestidae after death. Development for dermestids is temperature dependent, and the optimal temperature for ''D. maculatus'' is 30 °C. Development data is normalized using Accumulated Degree Days.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Richardson |first1=M. S. |last2=Goff |first2=M. L. |title=Effects of Temperature and Intraspecific Interaction on the Development of Dermestes maculatus (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) |journal=J. Med. Entomol. |volume=38 |issue=3 |pages=347–351 |year=2001 |doi=10.1603/0022-2585-38.3.347 |pmid=11372957 |s2cid=38207950 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Dermestids can also be used in cases involving entomotoxicology, where feces and shed larval skins can be analyzed for toxins.

''Dermestes maculatus'' collected from raccoon carcass: <gallery> Image:Dermestidae 1.jpg|Lateral view ''(Dermestes maculatus)'' Image:Dermestidae 2.jpg|Head view ''(D. maculatus)'' Image:Dermestidae 7.jpg|Ventral view ''(D. maculatus)'' Image:Dermestidae 6.jpg|Dorsal view ''(D. maculatus)''

</gallery>

== Evolution ==

[[File:Beetle feeding traces in Nemegtomaia.png|thumb|Feeding traces from skin beetles on a specimen of the dinosaur ''Nemegtomaia'']] While possible members of the family have been described from the Late Triassic and Early Jurassic based on isolated elytra, the oldest known unambiguous member of the family is ''Paradermestes'' from the Middle Jurassic Jiulongshan Formation of China, which appears to belong to the subfamily Dermestinae.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal |last1=Motyka |first1=Michal |last2=Kusy |first2=Dominik |last3=Háva |first3=Jiří |last4=Jahodářová |first4=Eva |last5=Bílková |first5=Renata |last6=Vogler |first6=Alfried P. |last7=Bocak |first7=Ladislav |date=January 2022 |title=Mitogenomic data elucidate the phylogeny and evolution of life strategies in Dermestidae (Coleoptera) |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/syen.12520 |journal=Systematic Entomology |language=en |volume=47 |issue=1 |pages=82–93 |doi=10.1111/syen.12520 |bibcode=2022SysEn..47...82M |issn=0307-6970|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Deng |first1=Congshuang |last2=Ślipiński |first2=Adam |last3=Ren |first3=Dong |last4=Pang |first4=Hong |date=March 2017 |title=The Oldest Dermestid Beetle from the Middle Jurassic of China (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) |url=http://www.bioone.org/doi/10.3161/00034541ANZ2017.67.1.012 |journal=Annales Zoologici |language=en |volume=67 |issue=1 |pages=109–112 |doi=10.3161/00034541ANZ2017.67.1.012 |issn=0003-4541|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Members of the subfamilies Attageninae and Megatominae are known from the Cretaceous, including the living genera ''Attagenus'' and ''Megatoma.'' The ancestral ecology of the group was likely mycophagy, which is retained in Orphilinae, with the ancestor of most other lineages making the transition to saprophagy.<ref name=":3" />

== Taxonomy == According to World Dermestidae catalogue (Jiří Háva, 2023), following taxonomic division is proposed for Dermestidae (at subfamily and tribe levels):<ref name=wd-genera>{{Cite web |last=Háva |first=Jiří |date=2023 |title=World Dermestidae. Genera and subgenera division of Dermestidae |url=http://dermestidae.wz.cz/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Genera-and-subgenera-division-of-Dermestidae.pdf |access-date=2 June 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240519054836/http://dermestidae.wz.cz/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Genera-and-subgenera-division-of-Dermestidae.pdf | archive-date= 19 May 2024}}</ref>

{{Tree list}} *'''Dermestidae''' **Megatominae ***Anthrenini ***Megatomini ***Ctesiini **Dermestinae ***Dermestini ***Marioutini ***Paradermestini **Thorictinae ***Thorictini ***Thaumaphrastini **Orphilinae ***Orphilini ***Ranolini **Trinodinae ***Cretonodini ***Thylodriini ***Trichelodini ***Trinodini ***Trinoparvini **Attageninae ***Attagenini ***Apphianini ***Adelaidiini ***Cretodermestini ***Eckfeldattagenini ***Egidyellini **Trogoparvinae {{Tree list/end}}

== Genera == Dermestidae contains the following 74 genera:<ref name=":2" />

{{Div col|colwidth=20em}} *''Adelaidella'' Zhou, Ślipiński & Liu, 2020 *''Adelaidia'' Blackburn, 1891 *''Afrothorictus'' Andreae, 1967 *''Amberoderma'' Háva & Prokop, 2004 *''Anthrenocerus'' Arrow, 1915 *''Anthrenus'' Geoffroy, 1762 *''Apphianus'' Beal, 2005 *''Apsectus'' LeConte, 1854 *''Araphonotos'' Beal & Kadej, 2008 *''Attagenus'' Latreille, 1802 *''Caccoleptoides'' Herrmann, Háva & Kadej, 2015 *''Caccoleptus'' Sharp, 1902 *''Chilattagenus'' Háva, 2021 *''Claviella'' Kalík, 1987 *†''Cretoattagenus'' Háva, 2020 *†''Cretodermestes'' Deng, Ślipiński, Ren & Pang, 2017 *†''Cretomegatoma'' Háva, 2021 *†''Cretonodes'' Kirejtshuk & Azar, 2009 *''Cryptorhopalum'' Guérin-Méneville, 1838 *''Ctesias'' Stephens, 1830 *''Dearthrus'' LeConte, 1861 *''Derbyana'' Lawrence & Ślipiński, 2005 *''Dermalius'' Háva, 2001 *''Dermeanthrenus'' Háva, 2008 *''Dermestes'' Linnaeus, 1758 *†''Eckfeldattagenus'' Háva & Wappler, 2014 *''Egidyella'' Reitter, 1899 *''Evorinea'' Beal, 1961 *''Globicornis'' Latreille, 1829 *''Hemirhopalum'' Sharp, 1902 *''Hexanodes'' Blair, 1941 *''Hirtomegatoma'' Pic, 1931 *''Jiriella'' Kitano, 2013 *''Katkaenus'' Háva, 2006 *''Labrocerus'' Sharp, 1885 *''Liberorphinus'' Háva & Matsumoto, 2021 *''Macrothorictus'' Andreae, 1967 *''Mariouta'' Pic, 1898 *''Megatoma'' Herbst, 1791 *''Miocryptorhopalum'' Pierce, 1960 *''Myrmeanthrenus'' Armstrong, 1945 *''Novelsis'' Casey, 1900 *†''Oisenodes'' Kirejtshuk, Háva & Nel, 2010 *''Orbeola'' Mulsant & Rey, 1868 *''Orphilus'' Erichson, 1846 *''Orphinus'' Motschulsky, 1858 *''Papuderma'' Háva, 2021 *†''Paradermestes'' Deng, Ślipiński, Ren & Pang, 2017 *''Paranovelsis'' Casey, 1900 *''Paratrogoderma'' Scott, 1926 *''Pecticaccoleptus'' Háva, 2004 *''Phradonoma'' Jacquelin du Val, 1859 *''Ranolus'' Blair, 1929 *''Reesa'' Beal, 1967 *''Rhopalosilpha'' Arrow, 1929 *''Sefrania'' Pic, 1899 *''Socotracornis'' Háva, 2013 *''Sodaliatoma'' Háva, 2013 *''Thaumaglossa'' Redtenbacher, 1867 *''Thorictodes'' Reitter, 1875 *''Thorictus'' Germar, 1834 *''Thylodrias'' Motschulsky, 1839 *''Trichelodes'' Carter, 1935 *''Trichodryas'' Lawrence & Ślipiński, 2005 *''Trinodes'' Dejean, 1821 *''Trinoparvus'' Háva, 2004 *''Trogoderma'' Dejean, 1821 *''Trogoparvus'' Háva, 2001 *†''Tuberphradonoma'' Háva, 2021 *''Turcicornis'' Háva, 2000 *''Valdesetosum'' Háva, 2015 *''Volvicornis'' Háva & Kalík, 2004 *''Zahradnikia'' Háva, 2013 *''Zhantievus'' Beal, 1992 {{Div col end}}

== Selected taxa ==

===Larder beetles=== [[Image:Bacon Beetle.png|thumb|right|200px|''Dermestes lardarius'']] The larva of the larder beetle ''Dermestes lardarius'' is longer than the adult and is covered in reddish brown or black setae.<ref>[http://www.uri.edu/ce/factsheets/prints/larderbeetleprint.html Larder Beetle] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080518010748/http://www.uri.edu/ce/factsheets/prints/larderbeetleprint.html |date=2008-05-18 }}. University of Rhode Island Green Share Factsheets.</ref> It has two back-curved, spine-like appendages on the posterior end. The larva of the black larder beetle has less strongly curved appendages.<ref name="Byrd" /> Mature larvae of both species tend to bore into hard substrates such as wood, cork, and plaster to pupate.<ref name="Lyon">{{Cite web |last=Lyon |first=William F. |title=Hide and Larder Beetles |url=http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2104.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010319113714/http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2104.html |archive-date=19 March 2001 |website=Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet}}</ref>

Larder beetles are infrequent household pests.<ref name="solution">[http://www.pestsolutionsplus.com/beetles.html Beetle Identification] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080518075923/http://www.pestsolutionsplus.com/beetles.html|date=2008-05-18}}. Pest Solutions Plus.</ref> Adults and larvae feed on raw skins and hides. Adult larder beetles are generally 1/3 to 3/8 of an inch long and are dark brown with a broad, pale yellow spotted band across the upper portion of the elytra. There are three black dots arranged in a triangle shape on each wing. The sternum and legs of the larder beetle are covered in fine, yellow setae. Adult larder beetles are typically found outdoors in protected areas during the winter, but during the spring and early summer they enter buildings. Females lay approximately 135 eggs near a food source, and the eggs will hatch in about 12 days. The life cycle of larder beetles lasts around 40 to 50 days.<ref name="Lyon" />

The black larder or incinerator beetle, ''Dermestes ater'', is completely dark with scattered yellow setae on the body. It is similar to ''Dermestes maculatus'' but lacks serrations on its elytra. Its ventral surface is yellow instead of white. This beetle is a pest of fish, mushrooms, and cheese.<ref name="Byrd" /><ref name="Lyon" /><ref name="genus">[http://bugguide.net/node/view/6449 Genus Dermestes]. BugGuide.</ref>

===Hide beetle (leather beetle)=== ''Dermestes maculatus'', known as the hide beetle, leather beetle, or skin beetle, feeds on raw skins and hides like the larder beetle.<ref name="Lyon" /> This species is similar in appearance to the larder beetle, with larvae covered in short and long reddish brown or black setae, but its two spine-like posterior appendages curve forward.<ref name="Lyon" /> Also, in adults, the forewings are dark brown and the sternum is mostly white with some black.<ref name="Byrd" /><ref name="genus" /><ref>Bennett, S. M. (2003). [http://www.the-piedpiper.co.uk/th7q.htm ''Dermestes maculatus''].</ref> Its life cycle is 60 to 70 days and the female can lay up to 800 eggs.<ref name="Lyon" />

The hide and larder beetles both feed on an assortment of animal protein based products and cause serious damage in the areas of silkworm production and museums.<ref name="solution" />

===Carpet beetle===

Carpet beetle larvae start to feed as soon as they hatch. They are carrot shaped and heavily covered with setae, especially on their posterior end. The number of instars typically ranges from five to 11 and in some cases may reach as high as 20. Larvae of the black carpet beetle ''Attagenus megatoma'' may grow up to {{convert|1/2|in|mm}} and be yellow to brown in color. Other types of carpet beetle are regularly {{convert|1/4|to|1|in|mm|abbr=off}} long and covered with dark setae. Certain species have distinctive tufts of setae extending from their posterior end. These beetles are attracted to soiled fabrics and crevices where dead insects may serve as a food source.<ref name="solution" /><ref name="Ohio">Lyon, William F. [https://web.archive.org/web/20010425015704/http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2103.html Carpet Beetle]. Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet.</ref> The larvae of the carpet beetle are often referred to as "woolly bears" or "buffalo moths".

===Black carpet beetle===

The black carpet beetle, ''Attagenus megatoma'', is a widely known stored product pest and one of the most destructive because of its potential damage to household products containing keratin, which is a protein found in animal hair and feathers.<ref name="solution" /><ref>[http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/bimg154.html Dermestid Beetle] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080222135123/http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/bimg154.html |date=2008-02-22 }}. Texas A&M University Entomology.</ref> They are also able to burrow through various types of food packaging, allowing passage for other insects.

Females can lay up to 90 eggs and they hatch in about 8 to 15 days. Generally, this species only has one generation a year.<ref name="solution" /> The time it takes to become an adult varies from six months to a year. In addition, an adult black carpet beetle can live for an additional two months.<ref name="california">[http://www.bugpeople.org/taxa/Coleoptera/Dermestidae/FamilyDermestidaePage.htm Exploring California Insects: Carpet or Museum Beetles] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514090107/http://www.bugpeople.org/taxa/Coleoptera/Dermestidae/FamilyDermestidaePage.htm |date=2008-05-14 }}.</ref> The average adult size is about 2.8 to 5 mm long and they are oval, dark brown to shiny-black in color, and have brown legs.<ref name="Ohio"/><ref name="california" />

===Varied carpet beetle===

The varied carpet beetle, ''Anthrenus verbasci'', attacks typical household objects. Carpet beetles are normally associated with things such as carpets, wool, furs, and any processed animal or plant food. Their appetite also includes dead insects, spiders, and even nectar and pollen. They are typically found throughout the United States and Canada.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bugguide.net/node/view/95010|title=Species Anthrenus verbasci - Varied Carpet Beetle|last=McLarin|first=Jim|date=February 2007|website=Bug Guide}}</ref> Females can lay up to 40 eggs and the number of larval instars is seven or eight. The time it takes to become an adult varies from about eight months to a year. In addition, the adults can live around 2 to 6 weeks. This species varies in shape, size, color, and pattern of scales. On average, the adults are 2 to 3 mm in length and have scales that vary from white, brown, yellow, or even gray-yellow.<ref name="california" /> The hairs of the larvae can cause allergic reactions such as contact dermatitis or blisters in humans who come into contact with the sharp tiny hairs.

===Khapra beetle===

On hatching, the larvae of khapra beetle (''Trogoderma granarium'') are around 1.6 to 1.8 mm long and mostly covered with dense setae, some simple and some barbed. Larvae are yellow-white but the head and body setae are brown. As the larvae further develop, their color changes to a golden or reddish brown and the abdomen portion becomes proportionally shorter. The mature larvae reach a maximum length of 6 mm long and 1.5 mm wide.<ref name="harris">Harris, D.L. (2006) [http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN667 Khapra Beetle]. University of Florida IFAS Extension.</ref>

The khapra beetle is a stored-product pest. Infestations are difficult to control because they crawl into cracks and crevices, remaining for long periods of time.<ref name="harris" /> They tend to infest grains and create serious losses to stored products.<ref name="Byrd" /> The adults are covered with setae and are approximately 1.5 to 3 mm long and 1 to 2 mm wide. Male khapra beetles are brown to black with reddish brown markings on the elytra. Females are slightly larger and are lighter in color. The short, 11 segmented antennae has a club of 3 to 5 segments, which fit into a groove on the side of the pronotum.<ref name="harris" />

==Control== ===Hide and larder beetles===

Modern methods of meat slaughtering, storage, and distribution have reduced potential infestations of hide beetles. Proper housekeeping is crucial for the prevention of infestations. Dead insects in homes usually attract these beetles because they are a prime food source for hide and larder beetles. Food must be tightly sealed or stored in a refrigerator to avoid any beetle access. Freezing food for a week or heating meat in a pan or microwave for prolonged lengths can kill insects found in infested foods and prevent them from spreading.<ref name="Lyon" />

Household fibers, such as wool and silk, are especially prone to moth damage and special cleaning, which includes moth proofing, needs to be done frequently. Application of insecticides must be by spot treatment to crack and crevice sites where they are suspected of hiding. Pyrethrins are labeled for use against hide beetles. Insecticides used for carpet beetles are also appropriate to use against hide and larder beetles.<ref name="Lyon" />

===Carpet beetles===

Regular cleaning of spilled food or lint will eliminate any sites for potential breeding. Susceptible items like food, woolens, and furs should be stored in an insect-proof container. If an infestation is suspected then the source of the problem must be removed and destroyed to further limit any possibility of spreading. These beetles can be killed with extreme heat or exposure to freezers.<ref name="cranshaw">Cranshaw, W.S. (2000). [https://web.archive.org/web/20051211081222/http://www.ext.colostate.edu/PUBS/insect/05549.html Carpet Beetles]. Colorado University State-Extension.</ref>

Pyrethroid insecticides can be used to control carpet beetles. These contain active ingredients such as permethrin, bifenthrin, deltamethrin and tralomethrin.<ref name="cranshaw" />

Diatomaceous earth is also effective.<ref>{{Cite web | url =http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2103.html | archive-url =https://archive.today/20010425015704/http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2103.html | archive-date =2001-04-25 | title =Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet: Carpet Beetle | first =William F. | last =Lyon | work =HYG-2103-97 | publisher =The Ohio State University | location =Columbus | access-date =2009-10-27 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url =http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/pdf/2103.pdf | title =Black Carpet Beetle | year =2009 | work =Insect Advice from Extension: Fact Sheets | publisher =Penn State University: College of Agricultural Sciences | access-date =2009-10-27 }}</ref>

==Image gallery==

<gallery> Image:Larder beetle grub.jpg|The grub of a larder beetle (''Dermestes lardarius'') Image:Manduca quinquemaculata dermestidae damage sjh.JPG|Dermestidae damage to a ''Manduca quinquemaculata'' in an insect collection Image:Woolly_bear.jpg|The larva of ''Anthrenus verbasci'' beetle Image:grain_bait_wolly_bear.jpg|The larva of an ''Anthrenus verbasci'' beetle, frass, cast skin & a single grain of blue rodent bait damaged by the larva Image:Sceliphron and pest.jpg|Carpet beetle damaging a ''Sceliphron destillatorius'' in an insect collection </gallery>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==Further reading== * John M. Kingsolver, "Dermestidae", in Ross H. Arnett Jr. and Michael C. Thomas, ''American Beetles'' (CRC Press, 2002), vol. 2. * {{Grocers}} *Pasquerault, T Vincent, B, Chauvet, B, Dourel, L, and Gaudry, E (2008). Répartition des espèces du genre Dermestes L. 1758 récoltés sur des cadavres humains (Coleoptera Dermestidae). ''L'entomologiste'' Tome 64 N°4 pp 221–224. * Hinton, H.E., 1945 ''A monograph of the beetles associated with stored products''. 1, 387–395 British Museum (Natural History), London. Keys to world adults and larvae, genera and species; excellent figures, full species information. * Freude, H.; Harde, K.W.; Lohse, G.A., 1979 ''Dermestidae''. ''Die Käfer Mitteleuropas'' 6: Diversicornia (Lycidae — Byrrhidae) 1206 text figs. 367pp. Goecke & Evers. Text in German; the Dermestidae are on pages 304–327.

==External links== {{Wikispecies}} {{Commons category}} * [http://www.dermestidae.com/Abbildungen.html Dermestidae (Picture gallery and species list)] - Andreas Herrmann * [http://dermestidae.wz.cz/world-dermestidae World Dermestidae (Detailed information on families and species)] - Jiří Háva * [http://www.dermestidae.com/Literat.html Dermestidae (All literature 1758-2016)] - Andreas Herrmann * [https://web.archive.org/web/20080205070306/http://www.nearctica.com/nomina/beetle/cold.htm#anchor42357 List of North American Species] * [http://www.zin.ru/Animalia/Coleoptera/eng/atl_derm.htm Russian Atlas of Carpet Beetles-excellent images] - might contain outdated information * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070606091054/http://digital.library.unt.edu/permalink/meta-dc-1563%3A1 USDA Leaflet on Carpet beetles] *on the UF / IFAS Featured Creatures Web site ** [http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/fabric/furniture_carpet_beetle.htm ''Anthrenus flavipes'', furniture carpet beetle] ** [http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/fabric/common_carpet_beetle.htm ''Anthrenus scrophulariae'', common carpet beetle] ** [http://entnemdept.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/beetles/dermestes_ater.htm ''Dermestes atar'', black larder beetle] ** [http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/beetles/hide_beetle.htm ''Dermestes maculatus'', hide beetle] *[https://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/S156.pdf Stored Product Protection, Kansas State University]

Category:Dermestidae Category:Beetle families Category:Taxa named by Pierre André Latreille