While their name suggests they might only live in carpet this is actually not the case.
Carpet beetle larvae australia.
It is the larvae of the beetle that are a common household pest.
The adults are 1 16 to 1 8 inch long and oval shaped.
The australian carpet beetle is a native member of a small but significant group of beetles family dermestidae that frequently invade homes and whose larvae feed on carpets and similar fabrics.
Tiny in size and seemingly harmless carpet beetles are a problem australia wide.
The larvae of the beetle are small fluffy grubs 4mm 5mm long brown with banded stripes.
The adult will reach 3 5mm in length.
Similar species of moth and beetle are found worldwide.
They do not eat synthetic materials.
Carpet beetles are as common in food pantries as they are in a carpet or wardrobe.
The grubs live for 9 months.
Khapra beetle has been detected and eradicated in australia in the past after being found inside packages which were stored in infested shipping containers.
Carpet beetles and carpet beetle larvae are similar in appearance to khapra beetle trogoderma granarium an exotic beetle which poses a quarantine threat to australia.
The larvae are bigger than the adults.
Carpet beetle larvae are the form of beetles that comes between the egg stage and the adult stage of their growth cycle.
Year round carpet beetles can infest your carpet rugs curtains and other soft furnishings your cupboards your clothes and other natural fibres.
They range in color from black to speckled with white brown yellow and orange.
Their food preference includes all kinds of fabrics and dead insects.
Larvae hatch from eggs in the spring and early summer.
Carpet beetles are found throughout australia and can handle lower humidity than clothes moths so are also found inland from the coast.
Larvae are basically immature carpet beetles which have come out of their eggs and are now looking to feed.
The larvae which are the true pests of this species are typically longer in body length and are a reddish brown colour.
Carpet beetle larvae will eat all manner of animal material including wool fur silk felt feathers and leather.
Black carpet beetles are found throughout australia.
