Varied Carpet Beetle

Commonly found indoors in carpets, upholstery, and stored fabrics, as well as outdoors in bird nests or on flowering plants.

Larvae feed on natural fibers like wool, silk, and feathers; adults feed on pollen and nectar.

Adults are attracted to light and are often found near windows; larvae are slow-moving and avoid light, often hiding in dark crevices.

Can cause significant damage to household textiles and museum specimens; larval hairs may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some humans.