Carpet beetle larva

Indoors in carpets, upholstery, closets, and dark undisturbed areas; adults often occur near flowers and windows.

Larvae eat keratin-rich materials such as wool, fur, feathers, hair, and dead insects. Adults mainly feed on pollen and nectar.

Larvae are slow-moving, brown and bristly, and may shed hairy skins; they hide and develop over months to years. Adults emerge indoors or outdoors and commonly gather around windows.

Larvae can damage natural-fiber clothing, carpets, and stored specimens; their hairs may irritate sensitive skin or airways. They recycle animal remains and contribute to decomposition outdoors.