Carpet beetle (likely Black carpet beetle or a similar species)

Natural Habitat

Indoors, commonly found in homes, museums, and warehouses. They prefer dark, undisturbed areas such as under carpets, in closets, pantries, and attamin rooms behind baseboards, and in air ducts.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on a wide variety of animal-derived products high in protein, such as wool, silk, fur, feathers, leather, dried meat, dead insects, and pet food. They can also feed on plant-based materials like grains and spices.

Behavior Patterns

Adult carpet beetles are often attracted to light and may be found near windows, while larvae prefer dark, undisturbed locations. They undergo complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult). Larval stages are the destructive stage, feeding on various organic materials. Adults typically feed on pollen and nectar outdoors but can also be found indoors.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Carpet beetles are considered household pests. Their larvae can cause significant damage to natural fibers (wool carpets, clothing, upholstery), museum specimens, and stored foods. They do not bite or transmit diseases to humans. Benefits: In natural environments, they play a role as scavengers, consuming dead organic matter. However, this is largely overshadowed by their pest status indoors.

Identified on: 9/25/2025