Carpet Beetle (likely Varied Carpet Beetle or Black Carpet Beetle)

Indoors in homes, museums, warehouses; can be found outdoors in nests of birds and mammals, or on flowers.

Opportunistic scavengers. Larvae feed on a wide variety of animal and plant products, including wool, silk, feathers, fur, leather, animal carcasses, dried foods (pasta, cereals, pet food), and museum specimens. Adults primarily feed on pollen and nectar outdoors but do not feed indoors.

Larvae are the damaging stage, often found in dark, undisturbed areas. Adults are typically attracted to light and may be seen near windows. They undergo complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult). Larvae are often hairy or bristly.

Risks: Considered a pest due to larvae damaging natural fibers (carpets, clothing, upholstery), museum collections, and dried food products. Can sometimes cause skin irritation (dermatitis) due to their bristly hairs. Benefits: In natural ecosystems, some species play a role in decomposition by feeding on carrion and dried organic matter.