Varied Carpet Beetle

Indoors in carpets, clothing, and stored fabrics; outdoors in bird nests and pollen-rich flowers

Adults feed on pollen; larvae feed on natural fibers like wool, silk, fur, feathers, and dead insects

Adults are attracted to light and often found near windows; larvae prefer dark, undisturbed areas like closets or under furniture

Larvae can cause significant damage to carpets, clothing, and taxidermy; some people may experience allergic dermatitis from larval hairs