Varied Carpet Beetle Identification

Varied carpet beetles have small scales in an irregular pattern while furniture carpet beetles have larger scales.

Varied carpet beetle identification.

They are so small they are often overlooked. Varied carpet beetles get their name from the rainbow of color on their back surfaces. Their larvae however can become pests inside homes universities and museums. 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.

The varied carpet beetle is typically 0 0 inches to 0 1 inches 2mm to 4mm in size and has the following descriptors identifiers. Black centers with white brown and yellow patches in an irregular arrangement. The scales for both can wear off over time. Varied carpet beetles are black with white brown and yellow scales while furniture carpet beetles are black with white brown yellow and orange scales.

Larvae are similarly sized and have a tapered body. They have zig zag bands of yellow white brown and black on their wing coverings.