Carpet beetle (likely Varied Carpet Beetle)

Natural Habitat

Indoors, especially in areas with undisturbed organic materials like carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, clothing, museums, and pantries. Outdoors, they can be found in bird nests, animal carcasses, and dried flowers.

Diet & Feeding

Adult carpet beetles feed on pollen and nectar. Larvae feed on a wide variety of animal and plant products, including wool, silk, feathers, leather, furs, dried meats, museum specimens, taxidermy, pet food, and sometimes synthetic fibers if soiled with organic matter.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae are the damaging stage, often found in dark, undisturbed areas. They molt several times, leaving behind shed skins. Adults are attracted to light and often found near windows during spring and summer. They can fly and lay eggs on suitable larval food sources. They play dead when disturbed, curling up into a ball.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Larvae can cause significant damage to household goods, textiles, and museum collections. They do not bite or sting but can cause allergic reactions (dermatitis) in some sensitive individuals due to their barbed hairs. Benefits: In nature, they are detritivores, helping to break down organic matter like animal carcasses and insect remains.

Identified on: 9/20/2025