Carpet Beetle Larva (potentially Black Carpet Beetle or Varied Carpet Beetle larva)

Natural Habitat

Indoors, commonly found in homes, museums, and warehouses. They prefer dark, undisturbed areas such as under furniture, in closets, behind baseboards, and within stored natural fiber products like wool carpets, rugs, clothing, upholstery, taxidermy, dried foods, and pet food.

Diet & Feeding

Scavengers that feed on organic materials, particularly animal products. This includes wool, silk, fur, feathers, leather, dried meat, dead insects, pet food, and sometimes synthetic fibers if mixed with natural ones.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae are the damaging stage. They avoid light and are often found in hidden areas. Their feeding can cause irregular holes or bare spots in fabrics and damage to various household items. They undergo several molts before pupating. Adult beetles are typically harmless consumers of pollen outdoors, but will lay eggs indoors.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Significant pests of natural fibers, causing damage to clothing, carpets, upholstered furniture, and stored products. Can also cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals due to shed larval skins and fecal pellets. Benefits: In nature, they play a role in decomposition by consuming dead organic matter.

Identified on: 9/17/2025