Carpet beetle larva (likely Black Carpet Beetle or Varied Carpet Beetle)
Scientific Name: Dermestidae (Larva of various species like Attagenus unicolor, Anthrenus verbasci)
Order & Family: Coleoptera, Dermestidae
Size: Typically 2-5 mm in length. The larva in the image appears to be on the smaller side, possibly around 2-3 mm.
Natural Habitat
Indoors, commonly found in homes, museums, and warehouses. They prefer dark, undisturbed areas like under carpets, rugs, furniture, in closets, and in cracks and crevices where lint or pet hair accumulates.
Diet & Feeding
Keratin-based materials, including natural fibers like wool, silk, fur, feathers, and leather. They also feed on pet hair, human hair, dead insects, dried pet food, and various stored animal products.
Behavior Patterns
Larvae are the damaging stage. They are slow-moving and tend to avoid light, often found burrowing into infested materials. They undergo several molts, and their shedding skins (exuviae) can be found in infested areas. Adults are winged and often found near windows as they are attracted to light, feeding on pollen and nectar outdoors.
Risks & Benefits
Potential risks include significant damage to textiles, clothing, carpets, upholstered furniture, and museum collections. They do not bite humans but can cause allergic reactions in some individuals due to their bristly hairs. They are generally considered a pest within human dwellings. Benefits are minimal in a human-centric context, but in nature, they play a role in decomposition by feeding on carrion.
Identified on: 9/5/2025