Carpet Beetle Larva (most likely Black Carpet Beetle or Varied Carpet Beetle)

Natural Habitat

Indoors: particularly in dark, undisturbed areas like closets, attics, storage rooms, under furniture, or within carpets, rugs, and upholstered items. Outdoors: less common, but can be found in animal nests, dead animal carcasses, or dried plant material.

Diet & Feeding

Scavengers, feeding on a wide range of organic materials: natural fibers (wool, silk, fur, leather, feathers), dried animal products (dead insects, pet food), dried plant products (cereals, grains, stored food items), and sometimes synthetic fibers if mixed with natural ones.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae are the damaging stage, actively feeding and growing, often hiding in cracks and crevices. They are light-averse and prefer dark environments. They undergo several molts before pupating. Adult beetles are typically active flyers and are attracted to light, often seen near windows or lights inside homes.

Risks & Benefits

Potential Risks: Significant domestic pests, causing damage to carpets, clothing, museum specimens, taxidermy, and stored food products. Can trigger allergic reactions in some sensitive individuals due to larval hairs or shed exoskeletons. Benefits: In nature, they play a role in decomposition, breaking down organic matter, especially dried animal remains. However, their presence indoors is generally considered a nuisance and damaging.

Identified on: 9/7/2025