Varied Carpet Beetles Anthrenus

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.

Varied carpet beetles anthrenus.

Varied carpet beetles get their name from the rainbow of color on their back surfaces. They are so small they are often overlooked. No cleft at tip of wings. In older adults the scales that form this pattern wear off so the beetles appear solid brown or black.

Their larvae however can become pests inside homes universities and museums. 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. Away from humans the adult beetles often lay eggs in bird nests but they commonly get into houses and lay eggs under carpets or in cupboards.

Larvae are similarly sized and have a tapered body. Larvae lower left and adult of the furniture carpet beetle anthrenus flavipes leconte. They have zig zag bands of yellow white brown and black on their wing coverings. Black centers with white brown and yellow patches in an irregular arrangement.

Three tufts of hair on either side of rearend. Larval body wedge shaped with rear broader than head. The furniture carpet beetle anthrenus flavipes leconte is a common pest of upholstered furniture. Varied carpet beetle anthrenus verbasci adults slightly oval shaped and mottled with white brownish and yellowish scales.

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.