Varied Carpet Beetle Larva
Scientific Name: Anthrenus verbasci
Order & Family: Order: Coleoptera (Beetles), Family: Dermestidae (Skin Beetles)
Size: Typically 3 to 5 mm (around 1/8 to 1/4 inch) in length.
Natural Habitat
Commonly found indoors in homes, museums, and warehouses, often hiding in dark, undisturbed places like carpets, closets, under furniture, or in storage boxes. Outdoors, they inhabit bird nests and wasp nests.
Diet & Feeding
The larvae feed on keratin-rich dry animal products (wool, fur, silk, leather, feathers, dead insects) and sometimes stored plant products or synthetic blends if soiled with food stains.
Behavior Patterns
These larvae are known as 'woolly bears' due to their bristles. They are negatively phototactic (avoid light) and prefer undisturbed areas. They molt several times, leaving behind shed skins that alert homeowners to their presence.
Risks & Benefits
They do not bite or sting humans and carry no diseases. However, they are a significant household pest causing damage to clothing, carpets, and upholstery made of natural fibers. The fine hairs on the larvae can cause allergic skin reactions (carpet beetle dermatitis) in sensitive individuals.
Identified on: 2/18/2026