Carpet Beetle larvae

Natural Habitat

Indoors, commonly found in homes, museums, and warehouses. They prefer dark, undisturbed areas like under carpets, rugs, furniture, in closets, and attamin rooms.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on a wide variety of animal products, including wool, silk, fur, feathers, leather, dead insects, pet hair, and dried foods. They are scavengers.

Behavior Patterns

The larvae are slow-moving and tend to avoid light. They feed on natural fibers and detritus. Adult carpet beetles are typically outdoor insects that feed on pollen and nectar but lay eggs indoors. The larval stage is the damaging stage. They undergo complete metamorphosis.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Can cause significant damage to textiles, clothing, carpets, and museum specimens made from natural fibers. They do not bite or sting humans, but their bristles can cause skin irritation in some individuals (dermatitis). Benefits: In nature, they play a role in decomposition, breaking down animal remains. However, indoors, they are primarily considered pests.

Identified on: 10/2/2025