
Community identification
Varied carpet beetle larva (likely)
Anthrenus sp.
- Order & Family
- Coleoptera; Dermestidae
- Size
- Larvae are typically 2–4 mm long; adults are about 2–3.5 mm.
Natural Habitat
Indoors, especially in carpets, upholstery, closets, and beneath furniture; larvae favor dark, undisturbed areas.
Diet & Feeding
Larvae eat keratin-rich materials such as wool, fur, feathers, hair, and dead insects. Adults mainly feed on pollen and nectar.
Behavior Patterns
Larvae are slow-moving, densely hairy, and may leave behind shed skins; they develop through several molts before pupating. Adults are small, oval beetles often attracted to windows and light.
Risks & Benefits
Larvae can damage natural-fiber textiles and occasionally cause itchy skin irritation from their hairs. They are decomposers that recycle animal-derived organic material; the image is too blurry for certain identification.