DERMESTIDAE (family) (Carpet beetle or Skin beetle)

Dermestid larvae usually feed on dry material of animal origin such as insect remains and dry skin, hair and feathers. This has lead to some species becoming pests in homes and museums when they attack woollen carpets and tapestries, and bird, mammal and insect specimens. In natural environments larvae and adults may occur in the nests of mammals, birds and social insects. Hide beetles (Dermestes) occur on vertebrate carcasses, and adults of Anthrenus and Trogoderma visit flowers where they feed on pollen and nectar.