Varied Carpet Beetle
Anthrenus verbasci
Appearance
- 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.
