Fringed Larder Beetle
Dermestes frischii
This record describes Dermestes frischii (species). Recorded family: Dermestidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wikipedia reference for Dermestes frischii: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dermestes_frischii.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Bostrichoidea
- Family
- Dermestidae (Carpet Beetles)
- Genus
- Dermestes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
outdoors, on carrion and animal skins; common in granaries, warehouses, shops, and dwellings on stored products, incl. fishmeal, smoked meat, bone and bone meal, feathers, and skins
Geographic Range
native to the Old World (origin unknown; non-native in Europe), now nearly cosmopolitan in warm regions ; widespread in NA north to BC‒NS
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Dermestes frischii Kugelann 1792
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Dermestes frischii. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Coleoptera is the largest order of insects with over 400,000 described species, representing ~25% of all known animal species and ~40% of all insects. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30,000 beetle species have been identified.
Ecological role of the group
Beetles are prominent decomposers, especially in forests, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. As predators, they reduce populations of pest insects. Many species are also important pollinators of flowering plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Beetles have major economic significance: leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) are among the most destructive agricultural pests globally, costing billions annually, while predatory species like ladybugs provide natural pest control.
Recorded sources for this group: Britannica, Smithsonian, NCSU Entomology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Fringed Larder Beetle (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Boris Büche; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Mike Quinn , v belov