Varied Carpet Beetle Larvae Identification

The duration of the larval stage also depends on the type of carpet beetle species and temperature.

Varied carpet beetle larvae identification.

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. The larvae of varied carpet beetles have light and dark stripes on their bodies and are covered with dark hairs. They have zig zag bands of yellow white brown and black on their wing coverings. Common carpet beetles have larvae that is a red brown color and covered in dark hair.

Adult varied carpet beetles can be found outdoors where they feed on pollen from a variety of flowers. To know where to focus the brunt of your cleaning first look for the primary source of the infestation which will be the area with the most signs of damage and beetles. Both adult carpet beetles and larvae can infest your home but the larvae do the most damage by eating organic materials like wool leather and silk. Common carpet beetle larvae take between two and three months to reach pupation varied carpet beetle larvae may need up to two years and black carpet beetle larvae develop in the larval stage for six months to just under a year.

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. 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.