Which family is known for feeding on dried skin and tissues during decomposition?

• A. Muscidae
• B. Piophilidae
• C. Calliphoridae
• D. Dermestidae

Answer: (D)

Dermestidae are the scavengers of dried keratinous tissues. In later stages of decomposition, when soft tissues have slimmed away and remains become dry, dermestid beetles and their larvae specialize in feeding on dried skin, hair, and other keratin-rich material. This makes them the classic indicators of the skeletal-dry phase of decay and they often help finalize the cleaning of remains. Other families are more associated with earlier stages or different substrates: blowflies and flesh flies target fresh or decomposing tissue, while the cheese-skippers (Piophilidae) and general scavengers like Muscidae can be present on decaying matter, but the hallmark behavior of feeding on dried skin and tissues points to Dermestidae.