Varied carpet beetle

Indoors in homes, museums, and warehouses; outdoors on flowering plants

Larvae eat natural fibers, dried silk, wool, feathers, and dead organic matter; adults feed on pollen and nectar

Larvae are scavengers and prefer dark, secluded areas like under rugs or baseboards; adults are attracted to light and are active during the day

Structural and textile pest; the larval hairs (setae) can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals