Carpet beetle larva (likely varied carpet beetle)

Homes, especially carpets, upholstered furniture, closets, and areas containing lint or pet hair; also found outdoors on flowers.

Larvae consume keratin-rich materials such as wool, fur, feathers, dead insects, and natural-fiber debris. Adults mainly feed on pollen and nectar.

Larvae are hairy, slow-moving scavengers that avoid light and can persist unnoticed in undisturbed areas; they shed bristly skins. Adults are active fliers and commonly enter buildings in spring and summer.

Larvae can damage woolens, fur, feathers, carpets, and taxidermy; their shed hairs may irritate skin or airways. They recycle dead organic material outdoors, while adults pollinate flowers.