Varied Carpet Beetle (Larva)

Indoor environments, particularly in carpets, upholstery, closets, and museum collections; also found outdoors in bird and rodent nests.

Scavengers that feed on natural fibers and animal products including wool, silk, feathers, fur, hair, and dead insects.

Larvae are slow-moving and avoid light (photophobic). They spend most of their time feeding and go through multiple molts, leaving behind characteristic translucent shed skins.

Risks include significant damage to household textiles, clothing, and organic specimens. Some individuals may experience 'carpet beetle dermatitis,' an itchy rash caused by an allergic reaction to the larva's tiny hairs (hastisetae).