Check your Carpets for the Varied Carpet Beetle
- HYUN SIM
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Varied Carpet Beetles (Anthrenus Verbasci) are very small beetles with the adults ranging from 3-7 mm (Wikipedia). They are part of the Dermestidae family and are one of the most commonly found members. These beetles have a black eytra with a pattern of white, brown, and dark yellow scales across it in a zigzagging shape. They are considered pests due to their diet of organic materials and fibers (UMD).
Found both outdoors and indoors, the Varied Carpet Beetle is driven by locations with a lot of organic material. They enter homes through openings such as windows and can also enter through already infested items (Wikipedia). They can damage clothing with dried organic fibers and, as their name suggests, carpets. Their outdoor habitat is usually open areas with flowers and trees. They can be found in some interesting areas, such as bird nests.
They mate with many partners. Eggs are laid in places that are dry and abundant with dry organic materials. These locations include bird nests, because of the shed feathers, and bores in tree trunks, because of dead insects (IPM). The eggs hatch in 14 to 15 days if the temperature is around 30 degrees. It may take up to 28 days if the temperature drops to 15 degrees (Wikipedia). These eggs are very small, only averaging 25 micrometers (Wikipedia).
The hatched larvae feed on the organic material in the environment where they were laid. They are often called "woolly bears" for their appearance. As visible in the image above, the hatched larvae are covered in large hairs called setae. The tufts on the back of the larvae (left side of the image) are often used for self-defense (IPM). The larvae are the largest reason these beetles are considered pests (UMD). They can easily infest and rapidly damage dried organic fibers. Clothing, carpets, and heirlooms are all possible victims of these infestations. The pupal stage lasts from around 10 to 13 days before the adult emerges. The pupal stage occurs after the larva has survived for 220 to 630 days (IPM).
They can be dealt with through simple methods, such as vacuuming the spaces regularly. Stored wool, silk, and fur items should be stored in moth-resistant containers that are airtight. Secondhand products made of the listed materials should be checked before being brought into the space. Another common method of managing the population is through pheromone traps, which effectively attract the beetles and larvae. Small crevices and gaps should be sealed to prevent the laying of eggs (Insectslimited).
Although they are another pest, it is undeniable how interesting the Varied Carpet Beetle is. They could be useful in sustainable methods and goals due to their diet of materials often contained in manufactured products. Recycling may be at humanity's fingertips with the help of the Varied Carpet Beetle.
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