Varied Carpet Beetle

Indoors, they are commonly found in homes, museums, and warehouses, infesting carpets, upholstered furniture, clothing, stored food products, and insect collections. Outdoors, they can be found in bird nests, bee nests, and animal carcasses.

Larvae feed on a wide variety of animal products, including wool, silk, fur, feathers, leather, dried meat, dried insects, and museum specimens. Adults primarily feed on pollen and nectar.

Adults are often found near windows in homes as they are attracted to light. Larvae are typically found in dark, undisturbed areas where their food sources are present. They are known for being cryptic and can be difficult to detect until an infestation is large. Larvae may roll into a 'C' shape when disturbed. The lifecycle from egg to adult can take several months to a year depending on conditions.

Potential risks include damage to personal property (clothing, carpets, furniture made of natural fibers), museum collections, and stored food products. Allergic reactions or skin irritations can occur in some individuals due to contact with larval hairs. They are generally considered pests due to their destructive feeding habits on organic materials. There are no significant benefits to humans from their presence indoors, but outdoors, they contribute to the decomposition of organic matter.