Varied Carpet Beetle

Indoors within homes, warehouses, and museums; outdoors in bird nests or under bark

Larvae eat natural fibers, feathers, fur, and dead insects; adults feed on pollen and nectar

Larvae prefer dark, undisturbed areas; adults are attracted to light and often found on windowsills

Significant risk as a domestic pest that damages clothing and carpets; benefit to the ecosystem as decomposers of organic matter