Varied Carpet Beetle

Indoors in homes, museums, and warehouses; outdoors on flowering plants.

Larvae eat natural fibers (wool, silk, hair, feathers) and dried organic matter. Adults feed on pollen and nectar.

Adults are attracted to light and often found near windows. Larvae prefer dark, undisturbed areas like under carpets or in closets. They undergo complete metamorphosis.

Significant pest of household goods and natural textiles. Larval hairs can cause allergic skin reactions (dermatitis) in sensitive individuals. They play an ecological role as scavengers outdoors.