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Pest Library
Size & Characteristics: |
Carpet beetle adults are about 1/16-1/8 in (2-3.8 mm)
long; larvae are up to 1/4 in (4-5 mm) long. Adult is oval in shape,
head is more or less hidden from above; compound eyes notched around
inner margin; antenna short, with compact 3-segmented club (1 segment
distinctly shorter than the other 2); underside of abdomen with black
patches of scales on each side. Larva is stout, widest at rear, hairy. |
Color: |
Carpet beetle adult is black; wing covers with an orange/red stripe
down the middle, and variable pattern of whitish and orange/red oval
scales. Larva is reddish brown, black/brown hairs. |
Geographic Range: |
Carpet beetles are found around the world, but especially in the
northern U.S. |
Comparison with other species: |
Varied carpet beetle and furniture carpet beetle lack orange/red
stripe down middle of wing covers. Latter species has golden patches
of scales on each side of abdomen. Other dermestid beetles have less
compact antenna club with more than 3 segments, and flattened but
not scalelike hairs on top surface. Powderpost beetle, deathwatch
beetle (have longer antenna or lopsided club, and no scalelike hairs. |
Habitat: |
Indoors: wall voids where other insects have lived, old
rodent bait in attics and crawl spaces, wasp or hornet nests, places
where dead insects and spiders have accumulated. Outdoors
(May through July): flowers where they feed on pollen and nectar,
and mate; bird, chipmunk and insect nests, and dead animals such as
birds.
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Food: |
Carpet beetles eat wool, hair, bristles, horn, feathers, silk,
furs, insect collections; dried plants, rye flour, wheat; carpet,
clothing, fabrics; pollen and nectar during mating season. |
Biology: |
Female lays 30-60 eggs indoors on or in food material for larvae,
usually in May or June. Eggs hatch in 10-20 days. Larvae take about
60-80 days to mature, in 6 stages (instars). Pupation takes place
in last larval skin, lasting 1-2 weeks. Adult stays quiet in old larval
skin for about 18 days, then is active for a few days' to one month's
time. Outdoors 25% overwinter as larvae, 75% as adults in the old
larval skins. In heated buildings adults may remain active through
winter and the following spring. Development from egg to adult at
room temperature is 77-110 days, but up to 2 years. |
Invasion: |
Adults fly during the day, and may come indoors on flowers. They
find their way in to lay eggs. |
Damage: |
Carpet beetles damage carpets, fur, insect collections. Larval hairs
have caused pulmonary irritation due to inhalation. |
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