Species group: lardarius

1a. The elytra are dark reddish-brown throughout; the elytral band starts immediately at the base of the elytra, the band extends well beyond the middle of the elytra and is not sharply defined, the remaining parts of the elytra are sparser covered in hairs with a similar color as the elytral band; the pronotume is uniformly covered with longer yellowish-grey hairs.

→ Dermestes signatus

1b. The elytra are black; the band does not extend to the middle of the elytra and is sharply delimited. Go to question: 2

2a. Base of the elytra show with a big black spot at the shoulder of each elytron; the elytral band consists of grey hairs and the posterior margin contains two small bulges; the three spots on each elytron are above the midline of the band; spots of grey hair are present on the pronotum.

→ Dermestes reductus

2b. The band consists of yellow or reddish hairs; the three spots on each elytron are around the midline of the band. Go to question: 3

3a. Base of the elytra with a small black spot at the shoulder of each elytron; no spots are present on the pronotum; the elytral band consists of yellow to reddish hairs and the posterior margin contains two spiky bulges; the rest of the elytra are black throughout; thorax (ventral side) is black; antennae are black.

→ Dermestes vorax

3b. Base of the elytra are a brown wavy lines; spots of yellow hairs are present on the pronotum; the elytral band consists of yellow hairs and the posterior margin contains two rounded bulges; the rest of the elytra are black, but can be brown near the border of the elytral band; thorax (ventral side) is covered in yellow hairs; antennae are brown.

→ Dermestes lardarius