Varied Carpet Beetle

Indoor environments such as homes, warehouses, and museums; outdoors on flowers and in bird/animal nests.

Adults feed on pollen and nectar; larvae feed on natural fibers, feathers, wool, silk, hair, and dried organic materials.

Adults are attracted to light and are often found near windows; larvae are secretive, photophobic, and can cause significant damage to household items over several months of growth.

They are major household pests that damage carpets, clothing, and taxidermy; larval hairs can cause allergic reactions or skin irritation in some humans.