Varied Carpet Beetle

Natural Habitat

Indoors, they are commonly found in homes, museums, and warehouses, particularly in undisturbed areas like closets, attics, and under furniture. Outdoors, adults can be found in gardens or near flowering plants.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on a wide variety of animal-based products containing keratin, such as wool, silk, fur, feathers, leather, insect remains, dead animals, and even dried foods. Adult beetles primarily feed on pollen and nectar.

Behavior Patterns

Carpet beetles often lay eggs in dark, undisturbed areas where their larvae can feed on keratin-containing materials. Larvae are typically slow-moving and prefer to stay hidden. Adults are attracted to light and often found near windows. They undergo complete metamorphosis.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks mainly involve damage to household items, textiles, and museum collections made from natural fibers. They can also exacerbate allergies in sensitive individuals due to larval hairs. They are generally not harmful to humans or pets through bites or disease transmission. Benefits include being detritivores in nature, helping to break down organic matter.

Identified on: 7/2/2025