Varied Carpet Beetle

Indoors in homes/warehouses; outdoors in nests, blossoms, and on pollen-bearing plants.

Adults feed on pollen and nectar. Larvae feed on natural fibers, keratin, and dried animal/plant products like wool, silk, fur, feathers, and dead insects.

Adults are attracted to light and are active during the day. Females lay eggs near food sources. They undergo complete metamorphosis with larvae being specialized scavengers.

Risks: Larvae can damage household textiles, museum specimens, and stored foods; some people develop allergic dermatitis from contact with larval hairs. Benefits: Act as natural decomposers in outdoor ecosystems.