Bug Identifier
Carpet Beetle Larva
Community identification

Carpet Beetle Larva

Anthrenus verbasci (typically)

Order & Family
Order: Coleoptera; Family: Dermestidae
Size
1mm to 4mm in length
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Commonly found indoors in carpets, upholstery, closets, and air ducts where organic debris accumulates.

Diet & Feeding

Scavengers that feed on natural fibers like wool, silk, fur, feathers, and keratin-rich debris such as hair or dead skin cells.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae are slow-moving and avoid light (negatively phototactic). They undergo several molts before pupating into adult beetles, often leaving behind translucent shed skins.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include damage to household textiles and clothing. Some individuals may experience 'carpet beetle dermatitis,' an itchy allergic reaction caused by contact with the larva's tiny irritating hairs (setae).