dermestid

/ ˌdɜːˈmɛstɪd /

noun

1. any beetle of the family Dermestidae, whose members are destructive at both larval and adult stages to a wide range of stored organic materials such as wool, fur, feathers, and meat. They include the bacon ( or larder), cabinet, carpet, leather, and museum beetles

Word History and Origins

Origin of dermestid¹

C19: from New Latin dermestida, from Greek dermēstēs, from derma skin + esthiein to eat

Example Sentences

Jess manages an osteology prep lab without squeam, cleaning animal carcasses with dermestid beetles; and recovers Lexington from the natural history museum’s attic.

From New York Times

The dermestid beetles pick the bones clean without damaging them.

From Washington Times

The Dermestid beetles owned by Hansen are a specialized species that eat only cold, dead flesh.

From Washington Times

He said the study’s “clincher” was the discovery of tracks made by dermestid, or hide beetles, on the mammoth skeletons.

From Washington Times

He said he had a similar experience in the 1990s when he discovered dermestid beetle markings on dinosaur fossils in Utah and Wyoming, suggesting long exposure to the elements.

From Washington Times