Bug Identifier
Likely carpet beetle larva
Community identification

Likely carpet beetle larva

Dermestidae; species uncertain

Order & Family
Coleoptera; Dermestidae
Size
Larvae are typically 3–10 mm long, depending on species.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Indoors, especially carpets, closets, upholstered furniture, and other places where lint, hair, or natural-fiber materials accumulate.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on animal-derived materials such as wool, feathers, fur, dead insects, and lint; adults often feed on pollen outdoors.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae are bristly and may leave shed skins; they develop in undisturbed indoor areas. The pictured insect is too indistinct for a confident species-level identification.

Risks & Benefits

Larvae can damage clothing, carpets, and stored textiles; their hairs may irritate sensitive skin. They do not bite or transmit disease.