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Scientific name: Dermestes maculatus
The basics: Dermestes maculatus is a species of beetle which feeds on carrion and food products, and which is found worldwide.
Susprisingly fun BeetleI started keeping dermestid colonies when I started my entomology degree. They are incredibly easy to care for once you get the method down and you have the perfect housing assembled. They are probably the easiest creatures to breed. Also great for disposing of styrofoam packing so you don't have to throw it away! Theyre surprisingly fun to watch, too, and you wouldn't ever think it. They are constantly up to something, whether it be eating, burrowing through their styrofoam chunks, or having weird little group bug mating sessions. This is definitely a bug for those who aren't squeamish though, considering there are a TON of them that you need to keep in order to keep the colony healthy, you have to feed them raw meat, and if you don't do something right, you can easily end up with a maggot infestation. Which is definitely the grossest part of if all, and will kill off your colony. I know I said they are easy to keep, but easy as in easy for the experienced insect keeper. The do require a decent amount of attention and monitoring and their living standards (if living in death and filth can be considered a standard) are very particular. .
From arachnamancer Mar 3 2017 2:07AM
No thanks