Adult Varied Carpet Beetles can be found outdoors where they feed on pollen from a variety of flowers. They have zig-zag bands of yellow, white, brown, and black on their wing coverings. They are so small, they are often overlooked.
Their larvae, however, can become pests inside homes, universities, and museums. They feed on many household items: clothing and blankets made from natural fibers (wool, silk, cotton), carpet fibers, linens like tablecloths, napkins, curtains, and even in unsealed breakfast cereal. Larvae really enjoy eating dead bugs and spiders. Because of this, Varied Carpet Beetle larvae have decimated animal specimen collections in many science departments and museums.
General Characteristics Capability, Shape, Texture/Pattern, Benefits, Dangers
* MAP NOTES: The territorial heat map above 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 is useful when attempting to see concentrations of particular species across the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species' given lifespan. Some insects 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. States/Territories shown above are a general indicator of areas inhabited by the Varied Carpet Beetle. Insects generally go where they please, typically driven by diet, environmental changes, and / or mating habits.
Colors: yellow; white; brown; black; tan; orange 
