I have a colony of D. lardarius. I've not kept the more destructive and smaller species.
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Dermestid beetles.
- Thread starter demon
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Since they're found everywhere it would be hard to make a law against them. There's a smaller, black species sold for use in taxidermy. I like the lardarius because they're not so voracious and (for a dermestid only) they're big and colorful.
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The other two species I've seen available commonly are Dermestes maculatus (used for taxidermy) and Dermestes ater (used in cricket bins).
There are tons of other native dermestids but they generally aren't as large or as easy to care for as the two above plus the lardarius.
In fact, if you want to start a culture of dermestids, check with your local pet store and ask them if you can check their cricket cages; you should find a good amount in there (D. ater). Your other option is to set out something dead and wait; you can find a lot of neat bugs doing this.
There are tons of other native dermestids but they generally aren't as large or as easy to care for as the two above plus the lardarius.
In fact, if you want to start a culture of dermestids, check with your local pet store and ask them if you can check their cricket cages; you should find a good amount in there (D. ater). Your other option is to set out something dead and wait; you can find a lot of neat bugs doing this.
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Okay...The other two species I've seen available commonly are Dermestes maculatus (used for taxidermy) and Dermestes ater (used in cricket bins).
There are tons of other native dermestids but they generally aren't as large or as easy to care for as the two above plus the lardarius.
In fact, if you want to start a culture of dermestids, check with your local pet store and ask them if you can check their cricket cages; you should find a good amount in there (D. ater). Your other option is to set out something dead and wait; you can find a lot of neat bugs doing this.
My pet shops don't have them, they don't even breed feeders- just order them :blink: :huh:
What type are you looking for? Any specific purpose?
Chain stores and stores that just order them will get them in with the crickets. The suppliers who send them the crickets have them in there to eat dead crickets.
I've found them in Petco/Petsmart cricket bins.
Dermestes ater are pretty big but they really... REALLY enjoy flying. When I had lardarius they flew occasionally but not nearly as much as ater. I've never seen my D. maculatus fly. Ever.
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From the top they aren't as pretty as lardarius but they are bright white underneath. I'd say they're equally beautiful.
How many species do you have? What's your biggest?From the top they aren't as pretty as lardarius but they are bright white underneath. I'd say they're equally beautiful.
