Pest Identification And Information

• Adults are 1/4 to 3/8 inch long, dark brown to black in color with a pale yellow transverse band with 6-8 spots

• Elongated oval in shape

• Antenna are short and clubbed

• Larva are 3/8 to 5/8 long, dark brown covered with long brown hairs

Distribution/Habits:

Larva and adults will be found throughout the home. Larva are feeding on dead insects such as Asian ladybeetles, box elder bugs, or cluster flies in the walls. The larva will migrate long distances before they pupate into adults. Larva are capable of boring into wood in the home.

They are scavengers that will feed on all kinds of animal products: dried fish, dead mice, bacon, meat, cheese, dried animal food, insects, hides, feathers, horn, hair, etc.

BLACK CARPET BEETLE

Biology:

• Length: 1/8 to 1/4 inch

• Adults are dark brown to black in color, oval in shape and twice as long as wide.

• Antennae are short with a 3 segmented club.

• Terminal segment of the male’s antennae is twice as long as the female’s.

• Larva may be up to 1/2 inch long are light to dark brown in color; last abdominal segment has long tuft of hairs.

Distribution/Habits:

• Black carpet beetle is most widespread and destructive carpet beetle in the United States.

• They are numerous during the spring and early summer months.

• Larval stage is destructive to fabrics and plant materials.

• Damage often results in a number of small, unevenly spaced holes.

• Larvae roam widely, normally searching for food in dark areas of a room, shunning sunlight.

• Larvae move slowly; when disturbed they curl up and “play dead.”

• Newly emerged adults are attracted to light.

• Adult Black Carpet Beetles feed on pollen.

• After mating, many of the females return indoors to lay eggs.

• Approximately 50 eggs are laid in accumulations of lint, or in a place where larval food supply is present.

VARIED CARPET BEETLE

 Biology:

• Length: 1/16 inch

• Thorax is black with yellow scales along its base and white scales along its sides.

• The elytra are black and have two transverse zigzag bands of white scales bordered by yellow scales.

• The underside of the body is covered with grayish yellow scales. This pattern of scales may vary considerably.

• Scales are narrow and at least twice as long as wide.

• Larva are wider than they are long with hair located on the back.

Distribution/Habits:

• Found throughout the United States

• Egg surface is rough and has short projections at one end.

• Larvae are scavengers, destructive to fabrics, woolen goods, furs, cereals, silks and plant food and also feed on dead animals.

• Damage is noticeable by a number of small, unevenly spaced holes and larval cast skins may be seen on fabrics.

• Larvae prefer to feed on dead insects, such as Asian ladybeetles, box elder bugs, and spiders.

• When adults emerge from the pupae case, they instantly migrate toward sunlight.

• Adults feed on pollen