Carpet Beetle Larva

Natural Habitat

Indoor environments, particularly in dark, undisturbed areas like closets, under furniture, in carpets, baseboards, and stored clothing. They are often found in bird nests or bee hives in nature.

Diet & Feeding

Scavengers that feed on natural fibers (wool, silk, fur), dead insects, dried plant materials, hair, pet dander, and occasionally stored food products (grains, spices).

Behavior Patterns

The larvae avoid light and move slowly. They are the destructive stage of the insect's life cycle. When threatened, they may curl up or play dead. They molt several times, leaving behind shed skins that look like hollow shells of themselves. Adults are attracted to light and often found on windowsills.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Major pest of textiles; can cause significant damage to carpets, clothing, upholstery, and museum specimens. Their bristles can cause allergic skin reactions (carpet beetle dermatitis) in some people. Benefits: In nature, they act as decomposers, breaking down dead animal matter.

Identified on: 2/28/2026