dermestid

noun

der·mes·tid | \ (ˌ)dər-ˈmes-təd

Definition of dermestid

: any of a family (Dermestidae) of beetles with clubbed antennae that are very destructive to organic material of animal origin (such as dried meat, wool, or museum specimens)

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Then the cleaning crew dries the skulls for a few days before putting them in a colony of dermestid beetles, which will eat off the rest of the fleshy bits. — National Geographic, "Human Skulls Are Being Sold Online, But Is It Legal?," 23 Aug. 2016

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