Carpet beetle larva (likely)
Anthrenus sp. (likely; identification is limited by the photo)
- Order & Family
- Coleoptera; Dermestidae
- Size
- Larvae are typically 2–5 mm long; adults are about 2–4 mm.
Natural Habitat
Homes, especially carpets, closets, upholstered furniture, and areas containing lint, hair, or natural fibers. Adults often occur near windows and flowers.
Diet & Feeding
Larvae feed on keratin-rich materials such as wool, fur, feathers, dead insects, and accumulated lint. Adults mainly consume pollen and nectar.
Behavior Patterns
Larvae are slow-moving, bristly, and may curl or hide when disturbed; they shed bristly skins as they develop. Adults are small, oval beetles and may wander indoors from outside.
Risks & Benefits
They do not bite or transmit disease, but larvae can damage wool, fur, feathers, and other animal-based textiles; their hairs may irritate sensitive skin or airways. They help decompose animal-derived material outdoors.