Carpet beetle larva

Indoors in carpets, upholstery, closets, lint, and other sheltered areas; also outdoors on flowers and vegetation.

Larvae eat keratin-rich materials such as wool, fur, feathers, hair, and dead insects. Adults mainly feed on pollen and nectar.

Larvae are slow-moving, bristly, and often hide in dark, undisturbed places; they molt several times and may leave shed skins. Adults are small, rounded beetles that may fly toward windows and lights.

Larvae can damage natural-fiber textiles and occasionally cause skin irritation from contact with their hairs. They help decompose animal remains outdoors, while adults contribute to pollination.