Museum Beetle

Anthrenus museorum

Classification

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Anthrenus museorum: //ænˈθriːnəs mjuˈseəˌrʌm//

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Images

Summary

Anthrenus museorum, commonly known as the museum beetle, is a species of beetle found primarily in the Palaearctic but also adventive in other regions. Its larvae are known to damage organic materials, making it a pest in museum settings.

Physical Characteristics

Adult measures 2.2-3.6 mm in length with round shape; dark elytra spotted with bright colors; larvae are yellowish, hairy, and measure 4.5 mm.

Identification Tips

Dorsal surface scales condensed on side margins of pronotum, forming three narrow fasciae on elytra; eyes not notched in front; 8-segmented antennae with a short club of two segments.

Habitat

Primarily found outdoors; larvae often in bee nests, spider nests, and in peridomestic habitats.

Distribution

Native to the Palaearctic, adventive in Northeast North America (NF-ON to CT-WI) and generally cosmopolitan appearing in Europe, North America, Asia, Africa and Australia.

Diet

Larvae feed on dry skin, hair, furs, wool, carpets, silk, feathers, and occasionally on dry cheese, flour, and cocoa. Adults are often found on flowers.

Life Cycle

The female lays about forty eggs once a year in sheltered sites, such as nooks and carpets, to assure food supply for larvae.

Reproduction

Females seek sheltered habitats to lay eggs; they lay around forty eggs a year.

Ecosystem Role

Considered a pest due to its damage to taxidermy specimens and other organic materials.

Economic Impact

Damages skins of taxidermied animals, affecting museum collections, as well as woolen goods and other organic materials.

Cultural Significance

Notable for causing damage to museum specimens, including taxidermied animals.

Similar Taxa

Tags

  • museum beetle
  • Anthrenus museorum
  • Coleoptera
  • dermestidae
  • pest