Dermestes ater
Biology: This species can be found on carrion and in bird nests. These beetles can eat a variety of animal and plant materials. This species is also very commonly found in the boxes of feeder crickets and dubia roaches from pet stores. It is an arboreal species that is capable of flight at low temperatures and it possibly originates from America. The optimum temperature is in the range of 27-30°C. The upper temperature limit seems to be close to 40°C.
Dermestes ater:
Distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Origin: Mixed continents. 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.
EN: Black larder beetle,
Incinerator beetle
FR: Dermeste noir
FI: Nilikuoriainen