Varied Carpet Beetle

Natural Habitat

Commonly found inside homes, warehouses, and museums. Adults are often seen near windows, as they are attracted to light, while larvae prefer dark, undisturbed areas like under carpets, in closets, and within natural fiber materials.

Diet & Feeding

The larvae feed on keratin and chitin found in natural fibers such as wool, fur, silk, feathers, leather, and also on dead insects, pet dander, and cereals. Adults primarily feed on pollen and nectar from flowers outdoors.

Behavior Patterns

Adults are active fliers and are drawn to light sources. The destructive stage is the larva, which avoids light and moves slowly while feeding. The life cycle consists of egg, larva, pupa, and adult, and can take from a few months to over a year to complete, depending on environmental conditions.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Larvae can cause significant damage to household items like carpets, clothing, upholstery, and natural history specimens. The bristly hairs of the larvae may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, a condition sometimes mistaken for bed bug bites. Benefits: In nature, they play a cleaning role by consuming dead animal matter.

Identified on: 11/7/2025