Carpet Beetle Larva (shed skin)

Natural Habitat

Found indoors in homes, specifically in carpets, closets, upholstered furniture, and undisturbed corners with dust or organic debris.

Diet & Feeding

Scavengers that feed on natural fibers like wool, silk, fur, feathers, and lint, as well as dried food products and dead insects.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae prefer dark, secluded areas and are slow-moving. They undergo several molts, leaving behind translucent, hairy shed skins (exuviae) like the one pictured.

Risks & Benefits

They are significantly damaging pests to textiles and museum specimens. The bristly hairs (hastisetae) on the larvae can cause allergic reactions or skin irritation in some people.

Identified on: 12/28/2025