Dermestidae
- Pronunciation
- /dur-MESS-tih-dee/
- Category
- Taxonomy
- Singular
- Dermestid
- Plural
- Dermestids
Definition
A family of beetles known as skin beetles or carpet beetles, which feed on dry animal and plant material, making them common pests in homes and museums.
Etymology
From Greek 'derma' meaning 'skin' and '-idae' indicating a family name.
Example
Dermestidae larvae can cause significant damage to natural history museum specimens.
Synonyms
Related Terms
- Coleoptera
- Larvae
- Entomology
- Pests
Usage Notes
Dermestidae are often controlled in homes and museums through proper storage and cleaning to prevent infestations.