Carpet beetle larva

Indoors in carpets, upholstered furniture, closets, and lint-filled crevices; adults occur outdoors on flowers.

Larvae consume keratin-rich materials such as wool, fur, feathers, hair, dead insects, and natural-fiber fabrics. Adults mainly feed on pollen and nectar.

Larvae are brown, oval, and often hairy, with bristles that may form a tail; they hide in dark areas and molt repeatedly. Adults are small, rounded beetles and may enter homes through windows or carried items.

Larvae can damage clothing, carpets, taxidermy, and other animal-based materials; their hairs may trigger skin or respiratory irritation. They recycle animal debris outdoors, while adults pollinate flowers.