Carpet beetle (likely varied carpet beetle)

Natural Habitat

Indoors, especially in undisturbed areas under carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, in closets, pantries, and attics. Outdoors, they can be found in bird nests, bee nests, or feeding on dead insects.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on a wide variety of animal-based products such as wool, silk, fur, feathers, leather, dried meat, dead insects, pet food, and sometimes plant products like cereals and spices. Adults feed on pollen and nectar.

Behavior Patterns

Carpet beetles undergo complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult). Larvae are the destructive stage, feeding in dark, undisturbed areas. Adults are often found near windows as they are attracted to light, or outdoors on flowers. They are generally slow-moving. Their bristly larvae are sometimes mistaken for small caterpillars.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Can cause significant damage to household items made of natural fibers, stored food products, and insect collections. Their shed larval skins and fecal pellets can also be an allergen to some individuals. Benefits: They play a role in decomposition in nature by scavenging on dead animals and organic matter, but their presence indoors is almost exclusively a pest issue.

Identified on: 11/20/2025