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| Dermestid beetles | |
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| Varied carpet beetle (Anthrenus verbasci) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Unrecognized taxon (fix): | Dermestidae |
| Subfamilies | |
Dermestidae are a family of Coleoptera. They are also known as skin beetles, larder beetles, hide beetles, leather beetles, carpet beetles, and khapra beetles. There are 500 to 700 species of dermestids. They can be up to 1–12 mm in length. Adults have round oval-shaped bodies covered in scales or setae.
Most dermestids are scavengers that feed on dry animal or plant material. This includes skin or pollen, animal hair, feathers, dead insects, and natural fibers. Dermestids can be found living in dead animals and feeding on them. Others can be found living in mammal, bird, bee, or wasp nests. Thaumaglossa only lives in the egg cases of mantids. Many Trogoderma species are pests that eat grain.
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