Dermestid beetles (Dermestes maculatus), or
flesh-eating beetles, are used by CRC to clean skulls and bones for educational
purposes. Dermestids initially hatch from small, cream-colored eggs into
larvae. The larvae look like spiky caterpillars, and they do most of the
cleaning work—their favorite food is fresh meat. The adults are small black
beetles, and they mainly eat plants and fiber. The hospital has a small
colony to allow for us provide skeletal specimens for the public to see and to
also learn what may have gone wrong with a specific patient with an
odd orthopedic issue. Some specimens are sent to other museums or
schools for the same purpose. We also occasionally clean deceased
non-raptor critters that we receive. When one of our docents shows you a
raptor skull or a bone with an external fixator still inside, it was cleaned by
our beetles. Let’s all say thanks to our stinky little friends!Just a little party fact on a rainy Sunday! We know that everyone will enjoy hearing about flesh-eating beetles at your next get together.
Such sweet spiky babies
churchyardgrim 