Variable Carpet Beetle

Indoor environments like homes, warehouses, and museums; outdoors on flowering plants.

Larvae eat natural fibers (wool, silk, fur), dried food, and dead insects; adults feed on pollen and nectar.

Larvae are avoidant of light and move slowly while feeding; adults are attracted to light and often found near windows during spring.

Significant pest of household goods and museum collections; larval hairs can cause allergic skin reactions or respiratory irritation in humans.