Varied Carpet Beetle Nymph

Varied carpet beetle larvae are scavengers.

Varied carpet beetle nymph.

The adult varied carpet beetle anthrenus verbasci is about 1 10 inch long and black with an irregular pattern of white brown and dark yellow scales on its wing covers. They feed on a variety of animal products such as woolens carpets hides feathers horns bone and insect pupae. Their bodies are oval shaped. Adult carpet beetles feed on pollen but larvae will eat a wide variety of organic items in the home.

They are quite common in nests of birds and spiders on dead animals and in insect collections. Verbasci was also the first insect to be shown to have an annual behavioral rhythm and to date remains a classic example of circannual cycles in animals. Threats varied carpet beetles feed on dead insects but also feed on upholstery and carpet so they can damage those materials. The pests can also proliferate on bird nests animal carcasses and dead insects cluster flies lady beetles stink bugs wasps etc which tend to be associated with attics chimneys basements and light fixtures.

Most species of carpet beetle measure 1 to 4 mm in length as adults. The larvae feed on a variety of animal products like wool leather and silk often causing serious damage. In older adults the scales that form this pattern wear off so the beetles appear solid brown or black. Carpet beetles can also thrive on lint hair and debris accumulating under baseboards and inside floor vents and ducts.

Varied carpet beetles are found in homes in attics oriental carpets tapestries and wood based wall to wall carpeting. As well as on plant products such as rye meal corn red pepper and other similar materials. Larvae typically are light brown to black and covered in dense sometimes barbed hairs. Carpet beetles can be found in homes warehouses museums or anywhere else fabric furs and feathers are present.

Dear concerned evelyn this is a varied carpet beetle a common household pest and your letter is the third we opened today for a varied carpet beetle identification so we are posting your letter to assist folks visiting our site who are also troubled by carpet beetles. The life cycle of a carpet beetle ranges from two months to several years in length. When carpet beetle adults are found indoors they are typically seen near windows on sills drapes or window panes. The varied carpet beetle is a 3 mm long beetle belonging to the family dermestidae.

Varied carpet beetle nymph and adults. All species of carpet beetles undergo complete metamorphosis passing through the egg larval and pupal stages before developing into adults most carpet beetles develop up to four generations yearly while varied and black carpet beetles develop only one. They are a common species often considered a pest of domestic houses and particularly natural history museums where the larvae may damage natural fibers and can damage carpets furniture clothing and insect collections.