The recognition and use of dermestid (Insecta, Coleoptera) pupation chambers in paleoecology

Insect trace fossils are a relatively new source of climatic and taphonomic data. Because insects often have narrowly defined ecological requirements during their life cycle, they can be an exceptional source of data on season of death, temperature and moisture. We have found this to be true for dermestid pupation chambers and give three examples from the late Pliocene of Idaho and middle-late Pleistocene of Kansas.