Bug Identifier
Carpet Beetle (Likely Black or Varied Carpet Beetle)
Community identification

Carpet Beetle (Likely Black or Varied Carpet Beetle)

Attagenus unicolor (Black) or Anthrenus verbasci (Varied)

Order & Family
Order: Coleoptera; Family: Dermestidae
Size
Typically 1.7 to 3.5 mm in length
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Often found indoors in dark, undisturbed areas like closets, attics, and underneath furniture; outdoors in bird nests or on flowers.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on natural fibers like wool, silk, fur, leather, and pet hair; adults feed on pollen and nectar.

Behavior Patterns

Adults are attracted to light and often found near windowsills. They lay eggs near food sources. The larvae are the damaging stage, eating organic fibers.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Larvae can cause significant damage to clothing, carpets, and upholstery made of natural fibers; can cause skin irritation in some people (carpet beetle dermatitis). Benefits: In nature, they help decompose dead organic matter.