Dermestid Beetle vs Spanish Fly Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Dermestid Beetle | Spanish Fly Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dermestes maculatus | Berberomeloe majalis |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Dermestidae | Meloidae |
| Size | 6-10mm | 30-70mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Grasslands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Worldwide | Europe, Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
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.
Spanish Fly Beetle
A huge wingless blister beetle with a massively swollen red and black banded abdomen. The largest European meloid.
Did You Know?
One of the largest beetle species in Europe with a body so heavy it resembles a fat caterpillar more than a beetle.