Carpet Beetle Anthrenus Verbasci

Black centers with white brown and yellow patches in an irregular arrangement.

Carpet beetle anthrenus verbasci.

Varied carpet beetles get their name from the rainbow of color on their back surfaces. Varied carpet beetle anthrenus verbasci detailing the physical features habits territorial reach and other identifying qualities of the varied carpet beetle. Body up to 3 mm long. Carpet beetles feed on animal and plant substances such as wool fur feathers hair hides horns silk velvet felts and bone as well as seeds grain cereals cake mixes red pepper rye meal and flour.

Other substances include powdered milk dog and cat food leather book bindings dead insects bird and rodent nests and even cotton linen rayon and jute especially when stained. In older adults the scales that form this pattern wear off so the beetles appear solid brown or black. 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. 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.