Carpet Beetle (likely Varied Carpet Beetle or similar dermestid)
Scientific Name: Anthrenus verbasci (most common species)
Order & Family: Order: Coleoptera, Family: Dermestidae
Size: Typically 1.7 to 3.5 mm in length
Natural Habitat
Found indoors in carpets, closets, pantries, and near natural fibers like wool and silk; outdoors found on flowers feeding on pollen.
Diet & Feeding
Larvae feed on natural animal fibers (wool, fur, silk, leather), dead insects, and dry food products; adults feed on flower pollen and nectar.
Behavior Patterns
Adults are attracted to light and often found on windowsills; larvae prefer dark, undisturbed areas. They undergo complete metamorphosis.
Risks & Benefits
Larvae can cause significant damage to clothing, carpets, and stored goods; the tiny hairs of larvae can cause allergic dermatitis (carpet beetle dermatitis) in some people, but they do not bite or spread disease.
Identified on: 2/27/2026