On Tue, 16 Oct 2001, Aaron Morris wrote:

> > a small black beetle that ranges from 1/8" to 3/8"
> > in length.  It is black with a distinctive brown band
> > (about 1/3 the length) across the mid section.
>
> Hi Ron,
>
> I noticed this beetle too, first saw it two or three years ago and panicked
> initially that perhaps it was the dreaded SHB, but the band around the
> middle wasn't correct.  It even has the club-like antennae as does SHB.  I
> showed the beetle around to a few people, one of whom identified it as a
> "Carrion Beetle".  Now, I do not know my beetles, but the name (Carrion
...............................

I suspect the beetle is actually a "larder beetle" (_Dermestes
lardarius_).  These beetles are attracted mostly to dried animal protein.
See the image at
http://www.ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/larder_beetle.htm

Carrion Beetles (_Nicrophorus spp._) are generally larger than 3/8 in. and
are attracted to "moist dead things".  If the old comb got wet and sloppy,
it could attract these insects.  See the photo gallery at
http://www.eeb.uconn.edu:591/nicroweb/nicrositemap.htm for images of
carrion beetles.

Cheers,
Dave Pehling
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