Varied Carpet Beetles Anthrenus

Varied carpet beetles get their name from the rainbow of color on their back surfaces.

Varied carpet beetles anthrenus.

Like other species of carpet beetles it is able to digest keratin the principal protein found in animal hair and feathers. Its larvae known as woolly bears feed on natural fibres including carpets and clothing. They are so small they are often overlooked. Larvae are similarly sized and have a tapered body.

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. Larvae lower left and adult of the furniture carpet beetle anthrenus flavipes leconte. Their larvae however can become pests inside homes universities and museums. They have zig zag bands of yellow white brown and black on their wing coverings.

Varied carpet beetle anthrenus verbasci adults slightly oval shaped and mottled with white brownish and yellowish scales. 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. Larval body wedge shaped with rear broader than head. Away from humans the adult beetles often lay eggs in bird nests but they commonly get into houses and lay eggs under carpets or in cupboards.

This small but colourful beetle can be a serious household pest. In older adults the scales that form this pattern wear off so the beetles appear solid brown or black. 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. Adult varied carpet beetles can be found outdoors where they feed on pollen from a variety of flowers.

No cleft at tip of wings. The furniture carpet beetle anthrenus flavipes leconte is a common pest of upholstered furniture.