Varied Carpet Beetle Identification

Adult varied carpet beetles can be found outdoors where they feed on pollen from a variety of flowers.

Varied carpet beetle identification.

The scales for both can wear off over time. 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. Varied carpet beetles have small scales in an irregular pattern while furniture carpet beetles have larger scales. Larvae are similarly sized and have a tapered body.

Varied carpet beetles get their name from the rainbow of color on their back surfaces. Identification 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. Black centers with white brown and yellow patches in an irregular arrangement. Varied carpet beetles are black with white brown and yellow scales while furniture carpet beetles are black with white brown yellow and orange scales.

Their larvae however can become pests inside homes universities and museums. They are so small they are often overlooked.