Carpet Beetle Larva

Natural Habitat

Found indoors in carpets, upholstery, closets, and baseboards; outdoors in bird nests or on flowers.

Diet & Feeding

Scavengers that feed on natural fibers like wool, silk, fur, feathers, and dead insects.

Behavior Patterns

Slow-moving, bristly larvae that avoid light. They undergo complete metamorphosis, often spending months in the larval stage.

Risks & Benefits

Risk: Major household pest that damages textiles. The larval hairs can cause 'carpet beetle dermatitis' (allergic skin reactions). Benefit: In nature, they help decompose organic animal matter.

Identified on: 3/8/2026