Scientific name: Dermestes maculatus Family: Dermestidae Order: Coleoptera Risk level: High Category: Beetle
?What is the hide beetle
Scientific name: Dermestes maculatus
Family: Dermestidae
Order: Coleoptera
Risk level: High
Category: Beetle
The hide beetle (Dermestes maculatus) is an important pest in leather factories, slaughterhouses and dried-fish facilities. It is dark brown with white spots on its abdomen and measures 8–10 mm. Its larvae are densely covered in hairs.
Life cycle of the hide beetle
It undergoes complete metamorphosis. Eggs are laid directly on food, and the larva is the damaging stage. A full generation takes 4–8 weeks. Multiple generations may breed in an infested warehouse.
Distribution of the hide beetle
It occurs in food warehouses worldwide and is common in the Gulf, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, especially in hot warehouses.
Damage and risks associated with the hide beetle
It damages hides, dried fish, dried meat and feathers. It can lead to product rejection in leather and food industries.
Signs of a hide beetle infestation
Signs include adult insects around light sources; larvae and silken threads in food (moths); droppings and hollow grains caused by weevils and beetles; and small white eggs on food.
Where hide beetles are found
They occur in leather factories, dried-fish facilities, slaughterhouses and feather-processing plants.
Hide beetle control methods
Monitor with pheromone traps. Spray the warehouse with pyrethroids. Fumigate stored products with phosphine or methyl bromide. For physical control, lower the temperature below 10°C or raise it above 55°C. Rotate stock using FIFO.
Hide beetle control products
Pyrethroids for warehouses, phosphine (PH₃) for fumigation, deltamethrin for residual spraying and diatomaceous earth for grain.
Requirements for controlling hide beetles in food facilities
FSSC 22000 Version 7: stored-product pests are high priority. Pheromone traps with weekly documentation are mandatory. BRCGS: stored-product pests in a product constitute a major Non-Conformance.
A fact about the hide beetle
Dermestes beetles are used in forensic science and natural-history museums to clean animal skeletons with unmatched precision, cleaning bones without breaking or scratching them.
Frequently asked questions about the hide beetle
Q: How do stored-product pests enter a facility?
A: Usually through incoming shipments. Carefully inspect samples from each shipment and quarantine new purchases.
Q: Is a low temperature enough to eliminate stored-product pests?
A: Yes. Temperatures below 10°C for two weeks stop reproduction and kill vulnerable stages. Temperatures below −18°C for three days kill all stages
