Carpet Beetle (likely Black Carpet Beetle)

Natural Habitat

Indoors: Carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, closets, attics, museums, stored food pantries, pet food, bird nests. Outdoors: Commonly found on flowering plants, in animal nests and carcasses.

Diet & Feeding

Broadly omnivorous scavengers. Larvae feed on a wide range of organic materials including animal products (wool, fur, feathers, leather, dried meat, dead insects), plant products (grains, stored food, natural fibers like cotton, linen, silk), and even synthetic fibers if mixed with organic materials. Adults primarily feed on pollen and nectar outdoors.

Behavior Patterns

Dermestid beetles, especially larvae, are known for their voracious appetites. They are typically found in dark, undisturbed areas where organic matter accumulates. Adults are attracted to light and are good flyers. Larvae are motile and will seek out food sources. The life cycle involves egg, larva (multiple instars), pupa, and adult stages.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Considered a common household pest. Larvae can cause significant damage to natural fibers (carpets, clothing, furniture) and stored food products. They can also infest insect collections. While not typically harmful to humans, some individuals may develop skin irritation or allergic reactions to the larval hairs. Benefits: In natural environments, they play a role in decomposition, helping to break down dead organic matter and clean animal carcasses.

Identified on: 7/2/2025