Varied Carpet Beetle

Found indoors in homes, warehouses, and museums; outdoors in gardens on pollen-producing plants.

Larvae eat natural fibers, dried protein, and animal products (wool, silk, hair, feathers); adults feed on pollen and nectar.

Diurnal adults seek light and plants; larvae are scavengers that move slowly and shy away from light, often infesting stored goods.

A major pest to carpets, clothing, and museum specimens; larval hairs can cause allergic skin reactions (dermatitis) in some humans.