Carpet beetle (likely varied carpet beetle or black carpet beetle)

Natural Habitat

Indoors, especially in homes, museums, and warehouses; often found in areas with lint, pet hair, wool, silk, fur, feathers, and dried food products. Outdoors, they can be found in bird and rodent nests, and insect or spider webs.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on a wide variety of animal and plant products, including wool, fur, feathers, dried pet food, cereal products, museum specimens, taxidermy, and household dust. Adults feed on pollen and nectar outdoors but do not typically feed indoors.

Behavior Patterns

Carpet beetles undergo complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult). The larval stage is the most destructive, actively feeding on organic materials. Larvae are often hairy or bristly (as seen in the image). Adults are typically attracted to light and often found near windows. They are known for 'playing dead' when disturbed.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include significant damage to natural fibers (carpets, clothing, upholstery), museum collections, and stored food products. They do not bite or transmit diseases but can cause allergic reactions in some sensitive individuals due to their larval bristles. Benefits are minimal in household settings, but in natural environments, they contribute to decomposition as scavengers.

Identified on: 9/16/2025