dermestes

dɜːrmɪˈstiːz, dɜːrmɪˈsteɪz

Definitions

1. noun

a genus of skin beetles, especially the species Dermestes maculatus, used in taxidermy to clean animal hides.

“The taxidermist used dermestes to clean the deer hide before mounting it.”

Synonyms

  • hide beetles
  • skin beetles

Antonyms

  • insects
  • pests