Dermestid Beetle vs Brown Hairstreak
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Dermestid Beetle | Brown Hairstreak |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dermestes maculatus | Thecla betulae |
| Order | Coleoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Dermestidae | Lycaenidae |
| Size | 6-10mm | 36-40 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Farmland | Hedgerows |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Worldwide | Europe, temperate Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern (declining in parts of range) |
Dermestid Beetle
A small dark beetle with white undersides used by museums and taxidermists to clean skeletons. Larvae are covered in bristly hairs.
Did You Know?
Natural history museums keep colonies of these beetles specifically to clean flesh from bones for skeletal displays.
Brown Hairstreak
A secretive butterfly with rich brown wings and an orange flash on the female's forewings. Adults spend most of their time in tree canopies, rarely descending to ground level.
Did You Know?
Eggs are laid singly on blackthorn and are easier to find in winter than the elusive adults are in summer.