Beetle larvae
Beetle larva. Photo: R. Major
Larvae of a Hide beetle. Photo: C. Bento
Beetle larvae are more variable in form than fly larvae, and there is more variation between species in the number of larval instars (stage of development between moulting) - up to fourteen. Beetles associated with carrion live in an ephemeral environment and tend to have short larval development times with only two or three instars. Most beetle larvae have chewing mouthparts (like most of their parents)* and they feed on a variety of foods associated with corpses. Some are specialist predators, feeding on fly larvae, while others feed on dry flesh, skin, ligaments and hair.
*Adult dung beetles (Scarabaeini) have liquid feeding mouthparts and are attracted to particularly large juicy carcasses.
Copyright © Australian Museum 2003
