Varied Carpet Beetle

Natural Habitat

Indoor environments (carpets, closets, pantries) and outdoor environments (flowering gardens).

Diet & Feeding

Larvae eat natural fibers (wool, silk, feathers), dead skin, and stored grains. Adults feed on pollen and nectar.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae are scavengers and typically avoid light, while adults are attracted to light and seek to move outdoors to mate.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Can cause significant damage to household textiles and food stores. Larval hairs may cause allergic skin reactions (carpet beetle dermatitis) in humans. Benefits: Assists in the decomposition of organic matter outdoors.

Identified on: 4/13/2026