Varied Carpet Beetle

Natural Habitat

Commonly found indoors in homes, warehouses, and museums, as well as outdoors in gardens on flowering plants.

Diet & Feeding

Adults feed on pollen and nectar. Larvae feed on natural animal fibers like wool, silk, fur, feathers, and dead insects.

Behavior Patterns

Adults are attracted to light and often found near windows. They undergo complete metamorphosis from egg to larva, pupa, and adult, with the larval stage being the most destructive.

Risks & Benefits

They are serious household pests that damage carpets, clothing, and upholstery. Larval hairs can cause allergic skin reactions (dermatitis) in sensitive individuals. They do not bite humans.

Identified on: 3/19/2026