Varied carpet beetle (adult)

Homes, museums, and other buildings, especially near windows, carpets, stored fabrics, and animal-derived materials.

Adults feed mainly on pollen and nectar; larvae eat wool, fur, feathers, insect remains, and other materials containing keratin.

Adults often appear indoors in spring and gather near windows. Larvae develop in dark, undisturbed places and may take months to mature.

Larvae can damage natural-fiber clothing, rugs, and taxidermy; they do not bite or spread disease. Outdoors, adults pollinate flowers.