Dermestid-beetle
Guides
Dermestes carnivorus
carpet beetle
Dermestes carnivorus is a species of carpet beetle in the family Dermestidae, first described by Fabricius in 1775. The species is found in North America and Europe, with additional records from the Galápagos Islands and Belgium. Like other members of the genus Dermestes, it is presumed to be a scavenger of dried animal matter, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Dermestes reductus
Dermestes reductus is a small dermestid beetle native to North America, closely resembling the more common larder beetle (Dermestes lardarius) but distinguished by morphological differences in size, coloration, and genitalia. Unlike its synanthropic relative, D. reductus is exclusively found in natural wooded habitats, typically under tree bark, and has no known association with human dwellings. It belongs to the 'lardarius' species group within the genus Dermestes.
Dermestes undulatus
carpet beetle, hide beetle
Dermestes undulatus is a hide beetle in the family Dermestidae. It has forensic importance due to its colonization of dried remains. Development is temperature-dependent, with faster development at higher temperatures. The species occurs in both North America and Europe, and is considered scarce in the United Kingdom where it was recently rediscovered in Wales.
Trogoderma glabrum
glabrous cabinet beetle, colored cabinet beetle
Trogoderma glabrum is a dermestid beetle known for its unusual developmental plasticity. Under optimal conditions, it completes its life cycle in approximately eight weeks, but when deprived of food, large larvae can extend their lifespan to over two years through a process of 'retrogressive molting'—molting backwards into progressively smaller stages rather than progressing toward pupation. This species is a pest of stored products and has been documented in Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. Females exhibit circadian-regulated sex pheromone release behavior synchronized to photoperiod.