General: Hide Beetles (Dermestes maculatus) are often found on carrion and dried meat. Adult hide beetles grow to about 13 mm (0.5 inches) long and are dark brown to black with light markings on the edges of the pronotum and underside. This species has small spike-like points on the elytra tips.

This species is useful in forensic studies for determining time of death, and they are useful in taxidermy for cleaning skulls and other bones.

Family: Skin Beetles (Dermestidae)