
Community identification
Carpet Beetle Larva
Anthrenus verbasci
- Order & Family
- Order: Coleoptera; Family: Dermestidae
- Size
- 4 mm to 5 mm in length
Natural Habitat
Typically found indoors in carpets, upholstery, closets, and baseboards, or outdoors in bird nests and flowers.
Diet & Feeding
Scavengers that feed on natural fibers like wool, silk, feathers, fur, and hair, as well as dried food products and dead insects.
Behavior Patterns
Larvae are slow-moving and tend to avoid light, often hiding in dark undisturbed areas. They undergo a lengthy larval stage lasting several months to a year.
Risks & Benefits
Major household pests that can damage clothing and textiles. While they do not bite humans, their bristly hairs can cause allergic skin reactions or respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals.