Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head and thorax of a black carpet beetle (Attagenus megatoma). The larvae of the carpet beetle are
Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head and thorax of a black carpet beetle (Attagenus megatoma). The larvae of the carpet beetle are often referred to as woolly bears or buffalo moths. Dermestids have a variety of habits and most are scavengers that feed on dry animal or plant material (dead skin, pollen, animal hair, feathers, dead insects and natural fibres. These beetles are attracted to soiled fabrics and crevices where dead insects may serve as a food source. These beetles are significant in forensic entomology since some species are known to be associated with decaying carcasses, which helps with criminal investigations. Dermestid beetles are destructive to a number of common items such as wool, silk, cotton, linen, fur, or feathers. Most damage is done by the larval stage of the beetle, while adults feed on flowers and shrubs. Magnification: x14 when shortest axis printed at 25 millimetres.
Size: 2619px × 3336px
Photo credit: © DENNIS KUNKEL MICROSCOPY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: 97085b, antenna, antennae, anterior, attagenus, bear, bears, beetle, black, bostrichiformia, bostrichoidea, buffalo, carpet, coleoptera, colored, coloured, commercial, compound, dermestidae, dorsal, electron, eye, false-colored, false-coloured, head, insect, insecta, insects, invertebrate, invertebrates, mandible, megatoma, micrograph, moth, moths, mouth, mouthpart, mouthparts, ommatidia, ommatidium, pest, scanning, sem, thorax, ventral, woolly
