Varied Carpet Beetle (Larva)

Scientific Name: Anthrenus verbasci

Order & Family: Order: Coleoptera; Family: Dermestidae

Size: 4 mm to 5 mm (larval stage)

Varied Carpet Beetle (Larva)

Natural Habitat

Indoors in homes, museums, and warehouses; often found in carpets, upholstery, or woolens.

Diet & Feeding

Fibrous materials of animal origin such as wool, fur, silk, feathers, and dead insects.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae are scavengers that move slowly and avoid light, often hiding in dark corners or under furniture to feed.

Risks & Benefits

Significant pests that damage household textiles and museum specimens; larval hairs can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some people.

Identified on: 12/30/2025