Varied Carpet Beetle
Scientific Name: Anthrenus verbasci
Order & Family: Order Coleoptera, Family Dermestidae
Size: 2mm to 4mm in length
Natural Habitat
Indoors within homes, warehouses, and museums; outdoors in bird nests or under bark
Diet & Feeding
Larvae eat natural fibers, feathers, fur, and dead insects; adults feed on pollen and nectar
Behavior Patterns
Larvae prefer dark, undisturbed areas; adults are attracted to light and often found on windowsills
Risks & Benefits
Significant risk as a domestic pest that damages clothing and carpets; benefit to the ecosystem as decomposers of organic matter
Identified on: 3/24/2026