dermestid

dermestid (plural dermestids)

1. (zoology) Any beetle of the family Dermestidae, most of which are scavengers that feed on dry animal or plant material.
   • 1968, Milton Hildebrand, Anatomical Preparations‎, page 23:

     Stray dermestids are a great hazard in a biology department.

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

     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.

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

     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.

• (any species of family Dermestidae): dermestid beetle, skin beetle