Carpet-beetles
Guides
Anthrenini
Anthrenini is a tribe of carpet beetles within the family Dermestidae, subfamily Megatominae. The tribe contains at least 100 described species, primarily in the genus Anthrenus, with one additional monotypic genus Dermeanthrenus. Members are small beetles known for feeding on keratinous materials including wool, fur, feathers, and dried animal products. Several species are significant household and museum pests worldwide.
Attagenini
Attagenini is a tribe of carpet beetles in the family Dermestidae, established by Laporte in 1840 and reduced from subfamily rank (Attageninae) to tribe in 2003. The tribe comprises at least seven genera including Attagenus (black carpet beetles), Novelsis, and Paranovelsis, with approximately 20 described species. Members are characterized morphologically by features visible in both adult and larval stages. The genus Attagenus contains economically significant species that are common household pests.
Dermestidae
skin beetles, carpet beetles, larder beetles, hide beetles, leather beetles, khapra beetles
Dermestidae is a family of beetles comprising approximately 1,700 to 1,800 described species worldwide. Adults are small (1–12 mm), typically oval to rounded, with antennae that are clubbed and usually concealed in thoracic grooves. The family exhibits exceptional diversity in feeding ecology: larvae of most species are scavengers specialized on dry organic matter, particularly keratin-rich materials including animal hair, feathers, hides, wool, and silk. Certain genera have evolved highly specific associations, such as Thaumaglossa in mantid egg cases. The family includes significant economic pests (carpet beetles, khapra beetle), forensic indicators (hide beetles), and beneficial species used in taxidermy and museum specimen preparation. Larvae of subfamily Megatominae possess distinctive defensive hastisetae—barbed, spear-tipped setae that detach to entangle predators.
Pseudohadrotoma
Pseudohadrotoma is a genus of carpet beetles in the family Dermestidae, established by Kalík in 1951. It is currently treated as a synonym of Megatoma by GBIF, though iNaturalist recognizes it as a subgenus. The group contains species distributed in northern Europe, including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. These beetles belong to a family known for feeding on animal-derived materials such as keratin.