Tiny Varied Carpet Beetle

Adult carpet beetles are small and often appear speckled or mottled.

Tiny varied carpet beetle.

Larvae are about 1 8 to 1 4 inch long tan to brownish in color slow moving and densely covered with hairs or bristles. These are the black carpet beetle the common carpet beetle the varied carpet beetle and the furniture carpet beetle. Larvae young carpet beetles are 1 8 to 1 4 inch long and. Verbasci was also the first insect to be shown to have an.

In older adults the scales that form this pattern wear off so the beetles appear solid brown or black. Adult varied carpet beetles can be found outdoors where they feed on pollen from a variety of flowers. Threats varied carpet beetles feed on dead insects but also feed on upholstery and carpet so they can damage those materials. Clean carpet beetle prone areas frequently.

Food and sweat stains on fabrics can attract carpet beetles. There are about 500 to 700 species worldwide but there are only 4 that you are likely to come across. They have zig zag bands of yellow white brown and black on their wing coverings. Adult varied carpet beetles are small 3 5 millimeters or about an eighth of an inch rounded beetles with dark colored or patterned wing covers depending on the species.

They are attracted to sunlight. In a few weeks the tiny eggs laid by adult beetles hatch into the fabric consuming larvae. The varied carpet beetle anthrenus verbasci is a 3 mm long beetle belonging to the family dermestidae 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. Larvae are similarly sized and have a tapered body.

When carpet beetle adults are found indoors they are typically seen near windows on sills drapes or window panes. They are so small they are often overlooked. Varied carpet beetles are found in homes in attics oriental carpets tapestries and wood based wall to wall carpeting. The adults are 1 16 to 1 8 inch long and oval shaped.

The adult beetles are small and usually black to dark brown in color but damage is actually caused during their larval stage. Carpet beetle is the colloquial name for dermestidae which is a family of coleoptera. Vacuuming carpeting and washing your clothes and other fabrics frequently at least once every 2 or so weeks is the best way to prevent a carpet beetle infestation. Treat spills and stains immediately as well.

Their larvae however can become pests inside homes universities and museums.