Dermestes reductus
Dermestes reductus is a species of dermestid beetle found in North America. The appearance of the beetle closely resembles a more common larder beetle and belongs to the same species group.
Key characteristics
Dermestes reductus can be distinguished from Dermestes lardarius using the following visual characteristics:Individuals are smaller ; the light patch on basal 2/5 of the elytra of D. reductus is made of grey hair ; except for the light elytral patch, the adult is all black ; the sides of the elytra are relatively more parallel, the lateral margins of the prothorax less raised, and the body flatter than D. lardarius; the aedeagus of males is narrow in the middle. Dermestes reductus is found in wooded areas, typically under tree bark, and never in associations with humans dwellings or activities, unlike D. lardarius which is commonly found in man made buildings.