Branch 2 Field Rep (SPCB) -- Beetles
True or False: Carpet beetles are pests in warehouses and museums.
True: They are pests in warehouses, homes, museums, and other locations where suitable food
exists.
In California, how many species of carpet beetles are there that cause serious damage to
fabrics, carpets, furs, stored food, and preserved specimens?
3
Name the three species of carpet beetles in California.
The varied carpet beetle, the furniture carpet beetle, and the black carpet beetle.
This adult carpet beetle, Anthrenus verbasci, is about 1/10 inch long and black with an irregular
pattern of white, brown, and dark yellow scales on its wing covers, or elytra. What is its common
name?
Varied Carpet Beetles
Indoors, varied carpet beetles deposit eggs on or near at least 13 different items. Name at least
7 different items one could expect to find carpet beetle eggs and larvae:
Wool carpets and rugs, woolen goods, animal skins, furs, stuffed animals, leather book
bindings, feathers, animal horns, whalebone, hair, silk, dried plant products, and other materials
that can serve as larval food
Adults of this beetle usually appear in spring or early summer; indoors, you'll often find them
near windows. What is the name of the beetle?
Varied Carpet Beetle
Mature larvae of these beetles are slightly longer than adults and are covered with dense tufts
of hair they extend upright to form a round plume if disturbed. What is the beetle?
Varied Carpet Beetle
True or False: Carpet beetles are pests in warehouses and museums.
True: They are pests in warehouses, homes, museums, and other locations where suitable food
exists.
In California, how many species of carpet beetles are there that cause serious damage to
fabrics, carpets, furs, stored food, and preserved specimens?
3
Name the three species of carpet beetles in California.
The varied carpet beetle, the furniture carpet beetle, and the black carpet beetle.
This adult carpet beetle, Anthrenus verbasci, is about 1/10 inch long and black with an irregular
pattern of white, brown, and dark yellow scales on its wing covers, or elytra. What is its common
name?
Varied Carpet Beetles
Indoors, varied carpet beetles deposit eggs on or near at least 13 different items. Name at least
7 different items one could expect to find carpet beetle eggs and larvae:
Wool carpets and rugs, woolen goods, animal skins, furs, stuffed animals, leather book
bindings, feathers, animal horns, whalebone, hair, silk, dried plant products, and other materials
that can serve as larval food
Adults of this beetle usually appear in spring or early summer; indoors, you'll often find them
near windows. What is the name of the beetle?
Varied Carpet Beetle
Mature larvae of these beetles are slightly longer than adults and are covered with dense tufts
of hair they extend upright to form a round plume if disturbed. What is the beetle?
Varied Carpet Beetle
