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Varied Carpet Beetle

Anthrenus verbasci

Appearance

Varied Carpet Beetle
  • 3 mm long, ladybird shape.
  • Patterns vary according to species but often a mixture of black, white and yellow.
  • Larva — 4–5 mm long. Brown and hairy with three bunches of spear~–headed hairs either side of the rear segments.
  • Pupa — formed in the last larval skin.
  • Duration 10 to 30 days.

Lifecycle

  • Normally one generation per year but possibly two in warm temperatures.

Habits

  • Larvae will roll up when disturbed. Hairs may be an irritant to some people.
  • Larvae known as “woolly bears”.
  • A common pest in museums and houses. Adults feed outdoors often on Spiraea plants.
  • Mating takes place outdoors after which they fly indoors to lay eggs.
  • A common inhabitant of birds nests.