Varied Carpet Beetle

Typically found indoors in dry areas, carpets, closets, under furniture, or near dead insects; outdoors on flowers and in bird nests.

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

Adults are attracted to light and often found near windows; larvae are photophobic (avoid light) and cause damage by feeding on textiles or museum specimens.

Generally harmless to human health, but larvae can cause significant property damage to clothing, carpets, and taxidermy; rare cases of skin irritation from larva hairs.