Varied Carpet Beetle

Natural Habitat

Indoors in homes, warehouses, and museums; outdoors on pollen-producing flowering plants.

Diet & Feeding

Adults feed on pollen and nectar. Larvae feed on natural animal fibers like wool, silk, feathers, fur, and dead insects.

Behavior Patterns

Often fly toward light sources indoors; undergo complete metamorphosis from egg to larva (scavenger stage) to pupa to adult.

Risks & Benefits

Significant domestic pest that damages textiles and carpets. Larval hairs can cause allergic skin reactions (contact dermatitis) in sensitive individuals.

Identified on: 2/16/2026