Dermestes ater
The ratio of larvae and adult beetles that you will receive are random.
The number of beetles is estimated by weight. Approximately 20 late stage larvae weigh 1g, as do 24 adult beetles. Using the largest larval stage as a gauge, 7,5g of mixed stage larvae and beetles will have at a bare minimum 150 individuals. Over winter, during the months of reduced breeding, this is usually pretty accurate. However over summer when there is a lot more breeding happening, 7,5g could easily be 300 to 400 if there are lots of young larvae in the mix.
The beetles are always sent with a tracking code, so that you can track the shipment.
Dermestes ater:
(Black larder beetle)
Adults are keen to fly, even at lower temperatures. However, they are not as keen to escape as D. haemorrhoidalis.
Distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Origin: United States, ID. In my care since 2024.
Description: The adults are 7 to 9 mm long. The elytra are dark brown to black. The underside of the adult beetles are brown and have medial and lateral brown spots on a dark-brown background. Full-grown larvae are 10 to 14 mm in length and almost entirely black in colour, but a median stripe can be present.