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

Natural Habitat

Indoors: carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, clothing, stored dry food products, pet food, taxidermy, insect collections, attics, wall voids. Outdoors: bird nests, animal carcasses, flowering plants.

Diet & Feeding

Adults: pollen and nectar. Larvae: keratin (found in wool, silk, feathers, fur, hair), natural fibers (cotton, linen, silk damaged by body oils/food stains), dried animal products (dead insects, pet food, stored food products like grains, spices).

Behavior Patterns

Larvae are the destructive stage, feeding on various organic materials. They are often found in dark, undisturbed areas. Adults are attracted to light and are often seen near windows. They undergo complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult).

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks: Damage to household items containing natural fibers (carpets, clothing, furniture), stored food products, and museum specimens. Can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals due to larval hairs. Benefits: In natural environments, they play a role in decomposition, consuming dead insects and animal remains. In homes, they are considered pests.

Identified on: 10/15/2025