Behind a Museum Door, These Beetles Are Eating Flesh for Science
Behind a Museum Door, These Beetles Are Eating Flesh for Science

The six-legged staffers of the American Museum of Natural History’s Bug Colony do their grisly work under a lid. The result: neatly tidied bones.
Read the full article on NY Times Science
Truth Analysis
Analysis Summary:
The article appears mostly accurate, with the core claim about dermestid beetles cleaning bones at the American Museum of Natural History supported by multiple sources. There is minimal bias, presenting the information in an objective manner. The date of the article is in the future, which is unusual but doesn't necessarily indicate inaccuracy of the content itself.
Detailed Analysis:
- Claim:** The article is about dermestid beetles eating flesh for science at the American Museum of Natural History.
- Verification Source #1: Supports this claim, stating "Behind the door, accessible only to a handful of museum employees, thousands of flesh-eating dermestid beetles toil around the..."
- Verification Source #3: Supports the use of dermestid beetles for cleaning bones in museums.
- Verification Source #5: Supports the use of dermestid beetles for preparing specimens.
- Claim:** The beetles are in a "Bug Colony" behind a door.
- Verification Source #1: Supports this claim, mentioning the "Bug Colony."
- Claim:** The beetles tidy bones.
- Verification Source #1: Supports this claim, stating "The result: neatly tidied bones."
- Claim:** The article is published by the NY Times.
- Verification Source #1: Confirms the source as NY Times.
- Claim:** The article was published on May 13, 2025.
- Verification Source #1: Confirms the date. This is a future date, which is unusual.
Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:
- Verification Source #1, #3, and #5: All support the use of dermestid beetles in museums for cleaning bones and preparing specimens.
- Verification Source #1: Provides direct support for the specific claims about the "Bug Colony" at the American Museum of Natural History.
- The future date of the article (May 13, 2025) is unusual but doesn't necessarily invalidate the content if the information is otherwise accurate and consistent with established practices.