Varied Carpet Beetle Larvae In Missouri

The larvae of carpet beetles are referred to as woolly bears.

Varied carpet beetle larvae in missouri.

The larva of the carpet beetle is covered in visible thick brown stripes. In spring female carpet beetles lay 25 to 100 eggs which hatch into larvae within two weeks. Varied carpet beetles are found in homes in attics oriental carpets tapestries and wood based wall to wall carpeting. They re covered with bristles and shed their skin as they grow.

Missouri february 20 2012 1 01 am hi we recently moved into a house and i have been finding these in my house along with larvae in the carpets. They are quite common in nests of birds and spiders on dead animals and in insect collections. 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. I m pretty sure they are the varied carpet beetle but am hoping there is a chance they are not so please identify.

Their larvae however can become pests inside homes universities and museums. It grows up to 5 mm in length. Adult varied carpet beetles can be found outdoors where they feed on pollen from a variety of flowers. Verbasci was also the first insect to be shown to have an.

They are so small they are often overlooked. Carpet beetle adult left and larva right. In the spring female varied carpet beetles lay approximately 25 to 100 eggs each. They feed on a variety of animal products such as woolens carpets hides feathers horns bone and insect pupae.

Threats varied carpet beetles feed on dead insects but also feed on upholstery and carpet so they can damage those materials. The eggs hatch within a 2 week time period. Varied carpet beetle larvae are scavengers. Carpet beetle larvae are able to mature under a variety of humidity levels and temperatures although they tend to avoid bright areas.

As well as on plant products such as rye meal corn red pepper and other similar materials. They have an elongated body which is covered in hair or large setae. Then they move to the pupal stage which lasts for about 10 13 days after which they emerge as adults. The hair is organized in a way that it forms a combination of dark and light patches.

The wing cover surface is patterned with brown yellow and white scales. The adult beetle is a rounded oval convex and about 1 8 inch long. I think this is a varied carpet beetle location. The larvae molt 7 8 times feed and develop over a period of a year or more depending on environmental conditions.

Carpet beetles are more of a threat to your. The varied carpet beetle anthenus verbasci is the most commonly encountered carpet beetle in missouri.