Dermestid beetles (Dermestes maculatus), or flesh-eating beetles, are used by CRC to clean skulls an
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. -- source link