Carpet beetle larvae

Natural Habitat

Indoors in homes, museums, warehouses; feeders on natural fibers and detritus. Often found in undisturbed areas like under furniture, rugs, or in closets. They prefer dark, secluded places with an abundant food supply.

Diet & Feeding

Keratin-rich materials such as wool, feathers, animal hair, stored food products, dried pet food, dead insects, and animal carcasses. They are scavengers and detritivores.

Behavior Patterns

The larvae are slow-moving and often prefer dark, undisturbed areas. They are known to 'graze' on their food sources, causing damage to textiles and other items. They undergo complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult). The larval stage is the most destructive, as adults primarily feed on pollen and nectar outdoors.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include significant damage to natural fiber products like wool carpets, clothing, upholstery, and museum specimens. They are not known to bite or transmit diseases to humans directly, but some people might experience skin irritation from bristles, in a phenomenon known as 'carpet beetle dermatitis'. There are no significant benefits to humans, though they play a role in decomposition in natural environments.

Identified on: 9/5/2025