Varied Carpet Beetle

Indoors near carpets, clothing, baseboards, and stored fabrics; outdoors on flowering plants.

Larvae feed on natural animal fibers (wool, silk, feathers, fur, leather) and dried organic matter; adults feed on flower pollen and nectar.

Adults are attracted to light and often found near windows. Larvae avoid light, moving slowly through quiet areas while shedding hairs as they grow.

Larvae cause damage to household textiles and natural fabrics; shed larval hairs can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Outside, adults act as minor pollinators.