How to Raise Dermestids
Dermestid beetles are also known as carrion or flesh-eating beetles. In nature, they can generally be found happily living on animals that have been dead for several days. Indoors, they are used to clean bones and skulls for university science departments and museum displays. Small, dark and hairy, colonies of these beetles are simple and inexpensive to maintain.
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Things You'll Need
- Small Plexiglas aquarium with wire mesh lid
- Cotton batting, ¼ inch thick
- Wood shavings (not saw dust)
- Foam block
- Natural sponge
- Distilled water
- Spray bottle/plant mister
- Small dead animal
Instructions
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Purchase a small Plexiglas aquarium with a screened or wire mesh lid. If no lid is available, you will have to make one with a piece of fine screening, otherwise you will not be able to contain your dermestid population.
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Line the bottom of the aquarium with ¼-inch cotton batting and then cover the batting with ½ inch of wood shavings. Position a foam block over the wood shavings and then site a large, natural sponge on top of the foam.
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Place the dermestids into the habitat and then douse all of the items inside the aquarium with room temperature distilled water. Apply the water with a spray bottle using the mist setting, if available. Add water until the contents of the dermestid habitat are damp, but not dripping wet.
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Secure the screen and move the habitat to a warm, out of the way location and ensure the insects are not exposed to direct light for at least 24 hours.
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Wait one day to check on the dermestids. The habitat should be damp, but no signs of condensation should be visible on the walls of the aquarium. If the habitat is exhibiting signs of excessive moisture, allow a few days for it to dry out and adjust the quantity of water you add the next time. If the habitat is dry after 24 hours, cover the colony in damp paper towels.
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Inspect the habitat every 48 hours. If everything is going well, within 2 to 4 weeks you will see larvae on the sponge. These larvae will burrow down into the foam block and begin to pupate. Seven days later, they will emerge from the foam block as adults.
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Remove the skin, organs and blood from a small deceased animal. Allow the cleaned carcass to dry in the open air for 24 hours and then place it in the freezer for 72 hours. This will eliminate any surface bacteria or competitive insects.
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Allow the meat to thaw and then pat it dry with a paper towel. Then place the thawed carcass in the habitat and leave it for one week to give the larvae time to clean it. Adults will also eat flesh, but it is the juveniles who require the majority of the food.
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Remove the bones from the habitat after 7 days. Wait 3 to 6 days to add another carcass. Also, replace the sponge as needed as the dermestids will eat it when there is no meat present.
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Tips & Warnings
The optimum temperature for a dermestid colony is approximately 85 degrees Fahrenheit. It takes between 6 and 7 weeks for the propagation of one full generation.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit wikimedia commons
