SKIN BEETLE

any of the widely distributed chunky insects classified by some authorities as the family Trogidae (about 150 species) and by others as the subfamily Troginae of the scarab family (Scarabaeidae). They belong to the order Coleoptera. Skin beetles have a rough body surface, are less than 12 mm (0.5 inch) long, and are dull brown in colour. Skin beetles are beneficial scavengers and feed on dry animal carcasses. When disturbed they pull in their legs and pretend to be dead. Because they are small and usually covered with dirt, they are not often seen. The dermestid beetle (q.v.) of the family Dermestidae is also known as a skin beetle.