The varied carpet beetle is a globally distributed pest beetle that can be found on every continent, sans Antarctica. They can be found anywhere from bird’s nests to inside homes. These beetles are considered an invasive species, even though they occur naturally in some locales. Therefore, the IUCN does not consider this species to be in danger of extinction. Their goal, as it were, is to feast upon various fabrics and natural fibers. Control through various trapping methods helps to control their spread, once in a home or museum.
First the Stats…
Scientific name: Anthrenus verbasci
Weight: Up to .0011 ounce
Length: Up to .14 inch
Lifespan: Up to 3+ years
Now on to the Facts!
1.) These are the first insects to have shown an annual behavioral rhythm (periodic—cyclic—phenomena in living organisms) and remains a classic example of circannual cycles (biological processes and behaviors recurring on an approximate annual basis, spanning a period of about 1 year) in animals.
2.) While they don’t have a particular natural habitat, per se, in the wild they can be found among locales with ample trees and flowers.
3.) This species of beetle dwells in colonies.
4.) The lifespan of these beetles is up to 3 years, however, they only live for up to 2 weeks in the adult stage.
5.) Keratin and chitin of natural fibers (dead insects and animal hair as well as feathers are consumed by the larvae. While adults feast on nectar and pollen, particularly from flowers in the daisy family.
But wait, there’s more on the varied carpet beetle!
6.) They are preyed on, in part, by parasitoid wasps that deliver a paralyzing sting to the thorax. Then they lay a single egg on the victim that hatches. The wasp larvae then feasts on its victim till it dies. But it’s alive while it’s being eaten.
7.) These beetles are polygynadrous (promiscuous) and mate with multiple partners.
Did you know…?
They can undergo up to 20 instars (stages of development)!
8.) Up to 20 days after copulation the female will lay her eggs.
9.) Females lay up to 100 eggs in their lifetime. The eggs hatch in up to 35 days, but often times in just 14 days.
10.) The eggs are always laid in dry places, such as in bird nests, tree hollows where there are dead insects, inside dry dead insects, in dry dead animal parts, plant products, and on window sills in houses and museums.
But wait, there’s still more on the varied carpet beetle!
11.) Once hatched the larvae begin feasting on blankets, carpets, clothing, furniture, furs, and more.
12.) Infestations can be haulted by removing the larvae and adults via regular vacuum cleaning, dry cleaning, or airing clothing outside, placing naphthalene balls (moth balls) in closets, and removing abandoned bird and insect nests attached to buildings.
13.) Susceptible people might also find that the hairs shed from the larvae can cause irritating itchy welts that might be confused with bed bug bites.
Now a Short Varied Carpet Beetle Video!
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Some source material acquired from: Wikipedia & IUCN
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