Black Carpet Beetle Larva

Found indoors in dark, undisturbed areas like closets, under baseboards, and in pantries, or outdoors in bird and rodent nests.

Scavengers that feed on animal products such as wool, silk, leather, fur, feathers, and pet hair, as well as dried plant materials and cereals.

Larvae are lucifugous (avoid light) and can live for several hundred days, molting many times before pupating into adult beetles. They are known for moving slowly and tapering toward the rear with a long tuft of hair.

They are a common household pest capable of damaging clothing, carpets, and upholstery. Their bristly hairs can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, but they do not bite or sting.