The beetles we work with are dermestids. These beetles are not the same as the scarab beetles that are often associated with eating humans alive, so there is no need to fear a scenario like the one in The Mummy, as they do not bite or injure live flesh.

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These beetles are invaluable in our work, with their unique ability to clean carcasses and feed during decomposition without damaging delicate bone structures. For example, paddlefish have very intricate bone structures that require careful handling; they need a gentle cleaning process to preserve their fragile bones, a task that these beetles excel at.

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These beetles live four to five months and must be kept in optimal temperature and humidity conditions, or they will not survive long. Additionally, they will feast on their young larvae or pupae without proper feeding material.

The image below is an example of how these beetles are used. The bone is that of a badger's lower jaw; they are almost done cleaning it. This page may not be for you if images like this gross you out.

 

 

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Nevertheless, if you're intrigued, we promise to captivate you with our intriguing journey through these fascinating creatures' stages! Join our Facebook page to follow our journey!