Carpet beetle larva (likely varied carpet beetle)
Anthrenus verbasci
- Order & Family
- Coleoptera; Dermestidae
- Size
- Larvae typically 2–5 mm when young and up to about 4–5 mm wide; adults are about 2–3.5 mm long.
Natural Habitat
Indoors in carpets, upholstery, closets, and stored fabrics; adults may occur on flowers and windowsills. The image is too low-resolution for definitive species identification.
Diet & Feeding
Larvae consume keratin-rich materials such as wool, fur, feathers, hair, and dead insects, and may damage natural-fiber fabrics. Adults primarily feed on pollen and nectar.
Behavior Patterns
Larvae are slow-moving, brownish, and often hide in dark, undisturbed areas; they shed bristly skins as they grow. Adults emerge indoors or outdoors and reproduce near suitable larval food sources.
Risks & Benefits
Larvae can damage clothing, carpets, and taxidermy; their shed hairs may cause skin or respiratory irritation in sensitive people. They are decomposers outdoors, recycling animal-based organic matter.