Larval dermestid beetles feeding on nestling snail kites, wood storks, and great blue herons
In recent years abdominal lesions attributable to larval dermestid beetles ( Dermestes nidum ) have appeared in nestling Snail (Everglade) Kites ( Rostrhamus sociabilis ), Wood Storks ( Mycteria americana ), and Great Blue Herons ( Ardea herodias ). Although it appears that most nestlings affected have survived, the degree of threat posed by dermestid larvae to various avian species is as yet unclear.