Varied Carpet Beetle (Anthrenus verbasci)

Detailing the physical features, habits, territorial reach and other identifying qualities of the Varied Carpet Beetle.

Updated: 2/19/2018; Authored By Staff Writer; Content ©www.InsectIdentification.org

Varied Carpet Beetle

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The multicolored Varied Carpet Beetle is a tiny indoor anomaly that is often seen on furniture, curtains and carpet.

Adults can be found outdoors where they feed on pollen from a variety of flowers. Their larvae, however, can become pests inside homes as well as in universities. They feed on many household items: clothing made from natural fibers (wool, silk, cotton), carpets (hence their name), linens (tablecloths, napkins, curtains), woolen items (rugs, sweaters, socks) and even breakfast cereal. Larvae prefer eating dead bugs and spiders. Because of this, Varied Carpet Beetle larvae have decimated specimen collections in stored in many science departments and museums.

Basic Information

Common Name: Varied Carpet Beetle

Scientific Name: Anthrenus verbasci

Category: Beetle

General Identification

Size (Adult; Length): 2mm to 4mm (0.08in to 0.16in)

Identifying Colors: yellow; white; brown; black; tan; orange

Additional Descriptors: tiny, multi-colored

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Coleoptera

Family: Dermestidae

Genus: Anthrenus

Species: verbasci

Beetle Anatomy

Graphic showing basic anatomy of a common North American Beetle insect

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Antennae: Beetles have a pair of antennae on the head used as sensors.

2

Head: The head is home to the insect's eyes, antennae, and mandibles (jaws).

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Thorax: Holds the three pairs of legs as well as vital internal organs.

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Elytron: One of two wing cases on a Beetle that protects its wings (plural: elytra).

5

Wings: Appendages used for flying and kept under the elytra until needed.

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Abdomen: Houses organs related to circulation, reproduction, and excretion.

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Legs: Beetles have three pairs of legs located at the thorax, numbering six legs in all.

Territorial Reach (A-to-Z)

Note: An insect's reach is not limited by lines drawn on a map and therefore species may appear in areas, regions and/or states beyond those listed below as they are driven by environmental factors (such as climate change), available food supplies and mating patterns. Grayed-out selections below indicate that the subject in question has not been reported in that particular territory. U.S. states and Canadian provinces / territories are clickable to their respective bug listings.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Mexico

Territorial Area Map (Visual Reference Guide)

The map below showcases (in red) the states and territories of North America where the Varied Carpet Beetle may be found (but is not limited to). This sort of data can be useful in seeing concentrations of a particular species over the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species' given lifespan. Some species are naturally confined by environment, weather, mating habits, food resources and the like while others see widespread expansion across most, or all, of North America.

Alaska

Hawaii

Prince Edward Is.

Canadian territory of British Columbia graphic

Canadian territory of New Brunswick graphic

Canadian territory of Newfoundland and Labrador graphic

Canadian territory of Saskatchewan graphic

Territory map graphic of the country of Mexico

Contiguous United States shape map layer graphic

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