Carpet Beetle (likely Varied Carpet Beetle or Black Carpet Beetle larva)

Natural Habitat

Indoors, commonly found in homes, museums, and storage facilities. They prefer dark, undisturbed areas. Outdoors, they can be found in bird nests and animal carcasses.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on a wide variety of animal and plant products, including wool, silk, feathers, fur, leather, dried meat, pet food, grains, and stored food products. They are scavengers.

Behavior Patterns

The larval stage is the destructive stage. Adult beetles are attracted to light and feed on pollen and nectar outdoors. Larvae are typically found in dark, undisturbed areas where their food sources are present. They are slow-moving and often curl up when disturbed. They undergo complete metamorphosis.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include damage to personal belongings (clothing, carpets, furniture), stored food products, and museum collections. They do not bite or sting humans, but some people may experience allergic reactions to their bristles. They offer minimal benefits in an indoor setting, though outdoors, they contribute to the decomposition of organic matter.

Identified on: 9/5/2025