
Community identification
Likely carpet beetle larva
Dermestidae; species uncertain
- Order & Family
- Coleoptera; Dermestidae
- Size
- Larvae are typically 3–10 mm long, depending on species.
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.