Carpet beetle larva (likely varied carpet beetle)

Indoors in carpets, upholstery, closets, and beneath furniture; larvae prefer dark, undisturbed areas. Adults commonly occur around windows and flowers.

Larvae consume keratin-rich materials such as wool, fur, feathers, silk, and dead insects, while adults feed mainly on pollen and nectar.

Larvae are covered with bristles and shed them as they grow; the pictured dark, fuzzy mass may be a larva, shed skins, or debris. They develop slowly indoors and often remain hidden.

Larvae can damage natural-fiber clothing, carpets, and taxidermy, and their hairs may irritate skin or airways. Adults are harmless pollinators and larvae help recycle animal-derived material.