Carpet Beetle

Commonly found indoors in homes, warehouses, and museums; larvae prefer dark, undisturbed areas like under baseboards or in carpets.

Adults feed on pollen and nectar; larvae feed on animal-based materials such as wool, silk, feathers, fur, and dried food products.

Adults are attracted to light and often found on windowsills; they undergo complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult) with larvae being the destructive stage.

Risks: Can cause significant damage to household textiles and stored goods; larval hairs can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some people. Benefits: Natural decomposers in outdoor ecosystems.