Carpet Beetle Larva (specifically Varied Carpet Beetle Larva)

Commonly found indoors in homes, especially in carpets, closets, drawers, and near baseboards. In nature, they live in bird nests and animal dens.

Larvae feed on natural fibers and dead animal products, including wool, silk, fur, feathers, hair, leather, dead insects, and dried pet food. Adults feed on pollen and nectar.

The larvae, often called 'woolly bears', are slow-moving and prefer dark, secluded areas. They molt several times, leaving behind shed skins that look like the larva itself. They are the destructive stage of the life cycle.

Risks: They are a major household pest that causes damage to clothing, carpets, upholstery, and museum specimens. Their bristly hairs can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions (carpet beetle dermatitis) in some people. Benefits: In the wild, they act as decomposers of dead animal matter.