dermestid

plural dermestids

1. biologyAny beetle of the family Dermestidae, most of which are scavengers that feed on dry animal or plant material.

   Stray dermestids are a great hazard in a biology department.

   1968, Milton Hildebrand, Anatomical Preparations, page 23

   2 more examples

   Some small dermestids are found in bee or wasp nests, where they feed on old pollen stores or on dried remains of bees or wasps.

   1983, Richard E. White, Beetles, Peterson Field Guides, page 194

   In nature, dermestids can be found on old, dry carcasses, in bird and mammal nests, while the adults of some species visit flowers, where they feed on pollen and nectar.

   2010, George Hangay, Paul Zborowski, A Guide to the Beetles of Australia, CSIRO Publishing, page 133

   Synonyms: dermestid beetle, skin beetle