Division of Sericulture, S.K. University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Mirgund, P. Box No. 674, GPO-Srinagar - 190 001, J&K, India
Dermestes maculatus causes heavy damage to the stored cocoons of silkworm, Bombyx mori. The adult is oval 6.3–7.5 mm long and 3.2–3.7 mm wide Body hard, compact, densely covered with white hairs on the ventral side with patches of black and dark brown hairs. Head of the pest being of prognathous type. Pronotum covered with golden brown hairs with sides declivus. Disk of fourth sternite of male adult with a long brush of testaceous hairs. Adult stage lasts for 95–110 days. Larva of the pest is eleven segmented, spindle shaped, dark brown in colour densely covered with tufted hairs lasts for 54–64 days. These larvae feed on the dried pupae by boring the cocoons rendering them unfit for reeling.
