Dermestes ater
The female lays 1 to 25 eggs at a time. The eggs hatch in a few days, depending on temperature. Larval development also depends on temperature, as well as humidity and food availability. Each larva may proceed through 6 to 9 instars, taking 19 to 50 days to grow to maximum size. It then pupates for several days. The adult lives for around 169 days, depending on temperature.
Dermestes ater:
This is the most commonly kept species as a cleaner crew by insect breeders. Adults are keen to fly, even at lower temperatures. However, they are not as keen to escape as D. haemorrhoidalis.
Distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Origin: United States, ID. In my care since 2024.
Description: The adults are 7 to 9 mm long. The elytra are dark brown to black. The underside of the adult beetles are brown and have medial and lateral brown spots on a dark-brown background. Full-grown larvae are 10 to 14 mm in length and almost entirely black in colour, but a median stripe can be present.
EN: Black larder beetle,
Incinerator beetle
FR: Dermeste noir