Carpet Beetle Larva

Scientific Name: Anthrenus verbasci

Order & Family: Order: Coleoptera; Family: Dermestidae

Size: 3mm to 5mm in length

Carpet Beetle Larva

Natural Habitat

Found indoors in carpets, upholstery, closets, and bird nests; outdoors in pollen-rich environments.

Diet & Feeding

Scavengers that feed on organic materials including wool, silk, feathers, fur, dead insects, and dried pet food.

Behavior Patterns

Slow-moving and often found in dark, undisturbed areas. Larvae undergo several molts before pupating into adult beetles.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include damage to household textiles and clothing. Larval hairs can cause skin irritation or 'carpet beetle dermatitis' in sensitive individuals. They serve as natural decomposers in the wild.

Identified on: 3/24/2026