Carpet Beetle Larva (shed skin)

Natural Habitat

Indoors, especially in undisturbed areas with natural fibers like carpets, rugs, clothes, and upholstered furniture. Also found in pantries feeding on dry goods.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on a wide variety of animal and plant products, including wool, silk, fur, feathers, leather, dead insects, pet hair, and dried food products (e.g., cereals, pasta).

Behavior Patterns

Carpet beetle larvae are slow-moving and prefer dark, undisturbed areas. They are known to shed their skins multiple times as they grow, and these shed skins (exuviae) are often mistaken for the live insect. Adults are winged and are attracted to light, often found near windows. The image appears to show a shed larval skin.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Considered a common household pest, capable of causing significant damage to natural fiber products like carpets, clothing, and upholstered furniture. They can also contaminate food products. Some people may experience skin irritation from contact with the larval hairs, though they do not bite or sting. Benefits: In nature, they play a role as scavengers, breaking down organic matter. However, their presence indoors is generally undesirable.

Identified on: 10/30/2025