Carpet beetle larva

Indoors in carpets, upholstery, closets, lint, and other dark, undisturbed areas; also nests and animal remains outdoors.

Larvae consume keratin-rich materials such as wool, fur, feathers, leather, and dead insects; adults mainly feed on pollen and nectar.

Larvae are slow-moving, brown and hairy, and often hide or wander when seeking food or pupation sites. Adults are small, oval beetles attracted to light and flowers.

They can damage natural-fiber clothing, carpets, and stored specimens; larval hairs may irritate skin or trigger allergies. Adults pollinate flowers and larvae recycle animal-derived organic matter.