Carpet Beetle Larva

Natural Habitat

Indoors, especially in undisturbed areas where organic materials accumulate, such as under carpets, in closets, pantries, and behind baseboards. They feed on natural fibers.

Diet & Feeding

Keratin-based products (wool, silk, feathers, leather, fur), dried animal products (dead insects, pet food, taxidermy), and occasionally stored food products (grains, cereals).

Behavior Patterns

Larvae are the damaging stage, actively feeding and moving slowly. They are often covered in bristles (setae), which can sometimes be confused with hair or lint. Adults feed on pollen and nectar outdoors and are attracted to light, potentially flying indoors to lay eggs.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include significant damage to natural fiber textiles, carpets, clothing, and museum specimens. They are not known to bite humans or transmit diseases. Benefits are minimal in a human-centric context, though they play a role in decomposition in natural environments.

Identified on: 10/7/2025