Dermestid Beetle vs Buffalo Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Dermestid Beetle | Buffalo Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dermestes maculatus | Haematobia irritans exigua |
| Order | Coleoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Dermestidae | Muscidae |
| Size | 6-10mm | 3-4 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Worldwide | Southeast Asia, northern Australia, Pacific Islands |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Dermestid Beetle
A small dark beetle with white undersides used by museums and taxidermists to clean skeletons. Larvae are covered in bristly hairs.
Did You Know?
Natural history museums keep colonies of these beetles specifically to clean flesh from bones for skeletal displays.
Buffalo Fly
A small blood-feeding fly closely related to the horn fly, found primarily in Southeast Asia and Australia. It is a major pest of cattle and water buffalo, clustering on the animal's back, sides, and belly. Heavy infestations cause skin lesions and reduced milk production.
Did You Know?
Buffalo flies cause annual economic losses exceeding 100 million dollars to the Australian cattle industry.