Jodi, The carabids (ground beetles) will cause no direct damage to collections materials, however, they usually die in places that may be difficult to reach when cleaning. Their carcasses potentially provide food for several species of dermestid beetles. It is good practice to routinely clean up any dead insects on floors, window sills, exhibit cases, etc. Once established in a building the dermestids can easily begin to feed on other materials of organic origin if they are not protected.
Tim On 10/9/2014 1:18 PM, pestlist@museumpests.net wrote: > > Hello, > > Can anyone identify the three different kinds of beetles in the > attached photos? And let me know if they are potentially harmful to > any kind of museum collection. > > Thank you! > > Best, > Jodi > > Jodi C. DeBruyne > Curator of Collections & Exhibits > > Juneau-Douglas City Museum > > -- Everett D. (Tim) Cashatt, Ph.D. Chair and Curator of Zoology Illinois State Museum Research and Collection Center 1011 E. Ash Street Springfield, IL 62703 Tel. (217) 782-6689 FAX (217) 785-2857 http://www.museum.state.il.us/research/entomology/index.html
