Varied Carpet Beetle

Found indoors in homes, warehouses, and museums, often in carpets, upholstery, and stored fabrics; also found outdoors on flowers.

Larvae eat natural fibers such as wool, silk, feathers, and hair, as well as dead insects; adults feed on pollen and nectar.

Larvae are scavenging pests that move slowly and avoid light, while adults are attracted to light and often found near windows.

Risks include significant damage to household textiles, rugs, and preserved specimens; some people may experience allergic reactions or dermatitis from the larval hairs.