Varied Carpet Beetle Larva

Natural Habitat

Found indoors in homes, museums, and warehouses often in dark corners, under furniture, in closets, or around baseboards. Outdoors, they inhabit bird nests and wasp nests.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on natural animal fibers such as wool, fur, silk, leather, feathers, and dead insects. They also consume dried plant products and pet hair.

Behavior Patterns

The larvae (often called 'woolly bears') avoid light and move slowly. They cause the most damage during this life stage. Adults are small beetles that feed on pollen and nectar and are attracted to light.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: They are a common household pest that damages clothing, carpets, upholstery, and museum specimens. They can cause 'carpet beetle dermatitis' in some people allergic to their larval hairs. Benefits: In nature, they act as decomposers of dead organic matter.

Identified on: 2/22/2026