dermestes

1 definition found

dermestes - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Dermestes \Der*mes"tes\, n. [NL., from Gr. dermhsth`s; de`rma
     skin + root of ? to eat.] (Zool.)
     A genus of coleopterous insects, the larv[ae] of which feed
     animal substances. They are very destructive to dries meats,
     skins, woolens, and furs. The most common species is
     Dermestes lardarius, known as the bacon beetle.
     [1913 Webster]