Varied Carpet Beetles Anthrenus

Larvae are similarly sized and have a tapered body.

Varied carpet beetles anthrenus.

No cleft at tip of wings. They have zig zag bands of yellow white brown and black on their wing coverings. 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. Their larvae however can become pests inside homes universities and museums.

The furniture carpet beetle anthrenus flavipes leconte is a common pest of upholstered furniture. Larval body wedge shaped with rear broader than head. Its larvae known as woolly bears feed on natural fibres including carpets and clothing. Three tufts of hair on either side of rearend.

The varied carpet beetle anthrenus verbasci is a 3 mm long beetle belonging to the family dermestidae. Adult varied carpet beetles can be found outdoors where they feed on pollen from a variety of flowers. In older adults the scales that form this pattern wear off so the beetles appear solid brown or black. They are so small they are often overlooked.

Larvae lower left and adult of the furniture carpet beetle anthrenus flavipes leconte. Black centers with white brown and yellow patches in an irregular arrangement. Varied carpet beetles get their name from the rainbow of color on their back surfaces. 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.

This small but colourful beetle can be a serious household pest. Like other species of carpet beetles it is able to digest keratin the principal protein found in animal hair and feathers.