Carpet beetle (likely Varied Carpet Beetle or Black Carpet Beetle)

Natural Habitat

Indoors, commonly found in homes, museums, and warehouses where they feed on natural fibers, animal products, and stored foods. Outdoors, they can be found on flowers feeding on pollen and nectar.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on a variety of organic materials including wool, silk, fur, feathers, leather, dried meat, dead insects, museum specimens, and stored dry food products. Adults feed on pollen and nectar.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae are the destructive stage, shunning light and feeding in dark, undisturbed areas. They are slow-moving and often curl up when disturbed. Adults are often found near windows in homes as they are attracted to light, or outdoors on flowers. The lifecycle can take several months to a year depending on conditions.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Can cause significant damage to household items like carpets, clothing, upholstery, and stored food products, as well as museum collections. Some people may develop skin irritation or allergic reactions from bristles shed by the larvae. Benefits: In nature, they act as scavengers, breaking down organic matter. They are sometimes used in forensics.

Identified on: 10/8/2025