Dermestid Beetle Colony
Dermestid Beetle Colony
Our colonies are a popular choice for taxidermists and serious hobbyists. You'll receive beetles in a healthy mix of all life stages — eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults — propagated in our climate-controlled, mite-free facility.
- Live arrival guarantee
- Ships Monday-Wednesday only
- Free expert support with every order
What size is right for me?
1 oz - A great starter colony that will save you upfront, but expect it to take 6+ weeks to clean a larger skull
6 oz - Large enough to efficiently clean a properly prepared larger skull in as little as 7-10 days under ideal conditions
Are we sold out of the size you want? Check back every Wednesday when we update our inventory!
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Why use dermestid beetles?
Dermestid beetles (Dermestus maculatus) have been used by museums and taxidermists for over 100 years in the preparation of skeletons. What makes them so ideal for specimen preparation is that they require minimal care, reproduce and thrive at room temperatures, and cannot fly at temperatures below 80ᵒF. Specimen preparation by beetles is often the method of choice by professionals for birds, small specimens, or articulating skeletons.