Varied Carpet Beetle

Natural Habitat

Indoors, they are commonly found in homes, museums, and warehouses where they infest carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, clothing, furs, stored food products, and insect collections. Outdoors, adults can be found on flowers.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on a wide variety of animal and plant products, including wool, silk, fur, feathers, leather, dried meat, dried insects, cereal products, and pet food. Adult beetles primarily feed on pollen and nectar.

Behavior Patterns

Adult carpet beetles are often found near windows as they are attracted to light. Larvae prefer dark, undisturbed areas. They are known for 'playing dead' when disturbed. Females can lay 50-100 eggs which hatch in 5-20 days. The larval stage, which causes the damage, can last from a few weeks to several months depending on conditions. They undergo complete metamorphosis.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Varied carpet beetles are significant household pests. Their larvae can cause considerable damage to household items made of natural fibers, stored food, and museum specimens. They do not bite or transmit diseases to humans. Benefits: In the ecosystem, they play a role in decomposition, especially breaking down animal remains and discarded natural materials.

Identified on: 8/20/2025