title: Anthrenus sp. The paraffin block eater bug.
abstract: Review of several years-old, paraffin-embedded specimens showed unusual damage, especially of the sectioned surface of hyperkeratotic lesions. The larva of Anthrenus sp., feeding on the embedded material, was identified as the causative agent. Normally found in birds' nests, this species prefers keratin for nutrition, and can therefore damage histopathology collections.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001517:Coleoptera; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D007814:Larva / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010232:Paraffin / Q000378:metabolism*; D013048:Specimen Handling
chemical_list: D010232:Paraffin