Carpet Beetle (likely Varied Carpet Beetle or Black Carpet Beetle)

Natural Habitat

Carpet beetles are found worldwide in both indoor and outdoor environments. Indoors, they infest homes, museums, warehouses, and other structures, thriving in dark, undisturbed areas. Outdoors, they can be found in animal nests, dead animal carcasses, and dried plant matter.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae primarily feed on animal products such as wool, silk, fur, feathers, leather, dried meat, dead insects, pet food, and sometimes synthetic fibers if soiled with oils or food. Adults feed on pollen and nectar outdoors.

Behavior Patterns

The larval stage is the destructive stage, causing damage to textiles and stored products. Larvae are slow-moving and prefer dark, undisturbed locations. Adults are attracted to light and are often seen near windows. They undergo complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult). Females lay eggs in suitable larval food sources.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include significant damage to natural fiber textiles, carpets, clothing, furs, and stored food products in homes and museums. They can trigger allergic reactions (dermatitis) due to their bristly hairs. In natural environments, they play a beneficial role as scavengers, breaking down organic matter.

Identified on: 10/7/2025