Carpet Beetle
Scientific Name: Anthrenus scrophulariae (varied carpet beetle) or Dermestes lardarius (larder beetle) - difficult to specify exact species from image but appears to be a Dermestidae family member.
Order & Family: Coleoptera, Dermestidae
Size: 2-5 mm
Natural Habitat
Indoors, especially in areas with undisturbed fibers like rugs, carpets, upholstered furniture, woolens, furs, taxidermy, stored food products; outdoors in animal nests, dead animals, or flowers.
Diet & Feeding
Keratin-based materials (wool, silk, fur, feathers), dried animal products, stored food products (grains, cereals, pet food), dried plants.
Behavior Patterns
Larvae cause most damage, feeding on natural fibers and organic matter. Adults are often found near windows as they are attracted to light, or outdoors feeding on pollen and nectar. They undergo complete metamorphosis.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Significant pests of stored products, textiles, and natural history collections, causing damage to clothes, carpets, and fur. Can aggravate allergies in sensitive individuals. Benefits: Larvae can act as scavengers, cleaning up organic debris in natural environments.
Identified on: 9/25/2025