Bugs and Skulls Taxidermy

Hide beetle (Dermestes maculatus)

In nature, adult Dermestid beetles (also known as hide, carrion, or skin beetles) are often found beneath dead animals that have decomposed for several days to weeks. They are generally small ( about 2 to 12 mm in length with the female larger than the male), black or dull in color, and usually hairy. The larvae are also usually brown in color and hairy. Dermestid beetles are often utilized to clean soft tissue from skeletons, and are especially valuable in cleaning those of small animals with delicate bones. They can clean a skeleton perfectly, while many chemicals treatments can cause the bones to yellow. You just need enough patience to let the dermestids work. For these reasons, science professionals, most museums, and most universities frequently grow colonies of these hardy, easy-to-maintain insects. Though dermestids (which take their name from the Greek word dermis, or skin) have potential for destruction of woolen fabrics, furs, insect and animal collections, and many other common materials, unwanted infestations are easily prevented through reasonable care and containment of colonies.