
Community identification
Varied carpet beetle (likely)
Anthrenus verbasci
- Order & Family
- Coleoptera; Dermestidae
- Size
- Adults are about 1.5–3.5 mm long; larvae are roughly 3–5 mm.
Natural Habitat
Indoors in carpets, upholstered furniture, closets, and stored natural-fiber materials; adults may occur on flowers outdoors.
Diet & Feeding
Larvae feed on wool, fur, feathers, silk, hair, dead insects, and other keratin-rich debris. Adults primarily consume pollen and nectar.
Behavior Patterns
Larvae are hairy, secretive, and may remain hidden while damaging fabrics; they periodically shed bristly skins. Adults are small, oval beetles attracted to light and flowers.
Risks & Benefits
Larvae can damage clothing, carpets, taxidermy, and stored textiles, while their shed hairs may irritate sensitive skin or airways. They are harmless to people and help decompose animal-derived material outdoors.