Varied Carpet Beetle Australia

Threats varied carpet beetles feed on dead insects but also feed on upholstery and carpet so they can damage those materials.

Varied carpet beetle australia.

Most adult carpet beetles range from 2 mm to 5 mm in length with very short clubbed antennae and chewing mouthparts. They do not eat synthetic materials. As the carpet beetle grows its diet changes it starts consuming pollen and nectar from plants. While adults are pollen grazers larvae feed on natural fibres and can damage carpets furniture clothing and insect collections.

The carpet beetles never bite or destroy anything it is their young ones you should blame. Carpet beetle larvae will eat all manner of animal material including wool fur silk felt feathers and leather. 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. Varied carpet beetles are found in homes in attics oriental carpets tapestries and wood based wall to wall carpeting.

The larvae do all the damage the adults only eat pollen. This beetle can be a serious household pest and a pest in natural history museums where it can damage biological specimens. 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. Carpet beetles are found throughout australia and can handle lower humidity than clothes moths so are also found inland from the coast.

The furniture and varied carpet beetles also bear unique coloured scales specific to the type. The varied carpet beetle anthrenus verbasci is a 3mm long beetle belonging to the family dermestidae.