Varied Carpet Beetle

Indoor environments such as homes, warehouses, and museums, as well as outdoors in bird nests and on flowering plants.

Adults feed on pollen and nectar. Larvae feed on natural animal fibers and organic matter, including wool, feathers, fur, hair, dead insects, and dried animal products.

Adults are attracted to light and are often seen near windows during spring and summer. They undergo complete metamorphosis; the larval stage causes material damage while feeding slowly in dark, undisturbed spaces.

Larvae are common household pests that can damage natural textiles, carpets, clothing, and taxidermy. Hairs from larvae can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions (carpet beetle dermatitis) in sensitive individuals. They do not bite or transmit diseases.