Carpet Beetle Larva (specifically the Varied Carpet Beetle)
Scientific Name: Anthrenus verbasci
Order & Family: Order: Coleoptera; Family: Dermestidae
Size: 3 mm to 5 mm in length
Natural Habitat
Found indoors in homes, warehouses, and museums, often near baseboards, under carpets, or in closets. In nature, they inhabit bird nests and animal burrows.
Diet & Feeding
Larvae feed on dry animal products including wool, silk, hair, feathers, leather, and fur, as well as synthetic fibers blended with wool and accumulated lint.
Behavior Patterns
Larvae are slow-moving and prefer dark, secluded areas. They undergo a complete metamorphosis with a long larval stage that can last months or even years depending on food availability.
Risks & Benefits
They are a significant pest of household textiles and museum collections. Their bristly hairs can cause 'carpet beetle dermatitis,' an allergic skin reaction in some individuals. They do not bite or spread disease.
Identified on: 1/8/2026