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Beta
Varied Carpet Beetle
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123Pest
Overview
Biology
The adults range from 2-4 mm long, are oval-shaped and have white, black and yellow coloured scales on their back creating various patterns, hence the name, and as the beetle ages, the patterns will look dappled, These insects have powerful forewings making the varied carpet beetle capable of flying from plant to flower looking for food and egg-laying opportunities.
Food
The females will lay up to 100 creamy/white coloured eggs that are around 0.5mm long, these are attached to a material with a sticky secretion produced from the female's glands.
The larvae (Woolly bear) emerge 2-4 weeks later and start feeding on the fabric. The adults will live for around 2-6 weeks.
The varied carpet beetle tends to feed on pollen and nectar, but its larvae, the Woolly bear, eat fibres like carpets, clothing, and furniture. They can be responsible for the same amount of damage to clothing and carpets as the Common clothes moth. These insects go through a complete metamorphosis life cycle.
Description
Larvae can be found within carpets, tucked away in dark areas, where old fibres, carpets etc may be found. Larvae may also be found in the nest of other insects and birds nests. Adults can be found either indoors or outdoors, and will frequently fly.
Habitat
The varied carpet beetle tends to feed on pollen and nectar, but its larvae, the Woolly bear, eat fibres like carpets, clothing, furniture
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