Dictionary entry

Anthrenus

Webster's Dictionary 1913

‖An‐thre″nus (ăn‐thrē″nŭs), n. [NL., fr. Gr. ανθρἤνη a hornet.] (Zoöl.) A genus of small beetles, several of which, in the larval state, are very destructive to woolen goods, fur, etc. The common “museum pest” is A. varius; the carpet beetle is A. scrophulariæ. The larvæ are commonly confounded with moths.