Carpet Beetle Larva (likely varied carpet beetle or furniture carpet beetle)

Natural Habitat

Indoors, especially in homes, museums, warehouses, and other buildings. They prefer dark, undisturbed areas where their food sources are abundant. Outdoors, they can be found in bird nests, animal nests, or feeding on dead insects.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on a wide variety of animal products, including wool, silk, fur, feathers, leather, dried meat, dead insects, pet food, and sometimes even plant-based materials like grains and spices if mixed with animal products. They are known household pests.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae develop indoors, often in undisturbed areas like closets, attics, or under furniture. They are negatively phototactic, meaning they avoid light, and may roll up or play dead when disturbed. They undergo complete metamorphosis, with the larval stage being the most damaging. Adults are short-lived and typically found near windows or lights.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include damage to personal belongings (clothing, carpets, upholstered furniture), historical artifacts, and stored food products. They can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some sensitive individuals due to their barbed hairs. They are generally considered pests with no significant benefits in a domestic setting, though outdoors they contribute to decomposition.

Identified on: 8/29/2025