Dermestidae - General Larval Characteristics

General Larval Characteristics

Dermestid larvae boast a complete or holometabolous development, which include an egg, larva, pupa, and adult stage. As opposed to ametabolous or hemimetabolous development, the larva's wings start off as internal wing pads and as development progresses, the wings begin to develop externally. Dermestid larvae are profoundly covered with varying lengths of setae that give a general "fluffy" appearance. The larvae are generally dark brown to black and possess a pair of spine like appendages on the terminal end of the abdomen. Most beetle larvae have chewing mouthparts, an obvious head capsule which is sclerotized, as well as 3 pairs of well developed thoracic legs that easily distinguish them from Diptera maggots. The larva's size depends on the species and is typically less than 1/2 of an inch. Most larvae are found on human corpses during the dry and skeletal phases of decomposition, which occurs several days after death. Larvae also move away from light and often hide in any cavity in order to remain undisturbed.