Carpet Beetle Larva

Found indoors in homes, warehouses, and museums; often found under baseboards, in carpets, upholstered furniture, and closets.

Larvae feed on dry animal products such as wool, silk, fur, feathers, pet hair, and dead insects; adults feed on pollen and nectar.

Larvae are scavengers that prefer dark, undisturbed areas. They undergo multiple molts, leaving behind characteristic shed skins. The larval stage can last from several months to several years depending on temperature and food availability.

They are a common household pest capable of damaging textiles and biological specimens. While they do not bite, their bristly hairs (hastisetae) can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.