The black carpet beetle is a skin beetle found in North America. German zoologist Nikolaus Joseph Brahm first described this species in 1791.
Size: 0.3-0.5 cm
Color: These beetles are black or dark brown.
Other Characteristic Features: Black carpet beetles are initially white before taking on their usual color.
They have a brown or black body shaped like a cigar. Larvae are long and narrow, covered with short, stiff hairs, and grow up to 1.27 cm. The number of instars varies from 5 to 11. The larval stage lasts for an extended period, ranging from 3 months to 2 years.
This stage is creamy-white but becomes darker and yellow later on. Pupation takes place in the molt of the last instar, lasting for 6-24 days. The pupa tends to be at separate locations from one another, and this is to avoid cannibalism among themselves in the final larval stage.
They are small and white. Around 50 of them are laid at a time close to a potential food source or a crevice to keep the eggs hidden from view.
| Lifespan | 9 months to 3 years |
| Distribution | North America |
| Habitat | Regions with low humidity |
| Seasons active | Year-round |
| Hosts | Keratin containing materials like carpets, cereals, clothing, furniture, grains, and insect collections |
| Diet of adults | Pollen from flowers |
The larva, which is by far the most damaging stage, tends to shed skins similar to the actual larva. The presence of these near any damaged goods will help to identify an infestation by these beetles.
Image Source: cdn.branchcms.com, bugguide.net, entnemdept.ufl.edu, lh3.googleusercontent.com, premierpest.ca, plunketts.net
The black carpet beetle is a skin beetle found in North America. German zoologist Nikolaus Joseph Brahm first described this species in 1791.
Size: 0.3-0.5 cm
Color: These beetles are black or dark brown.
Other Characteristic Features: Black carpet beetles are initially white before taking on their usual color.
They have a brown or black body shaped like a cigar. Larvae are long and narrow, covered with short, stiff hairs, and grow up to 1.27 cm. The number of instars varies from 5 to 11. The larval stage lasts for an extended period, ranging from 3 months to 2 years.
This stage is creamy-white but becomes darker and yellow later on. Pupation takes place in the molt of the last instar, lasting for 6-24 days. The pupa tends to be at separate locations from one another, and this is to avoid cannibalism among themselves in the final larval stage.
They are small and white. Around 50 of them are laid at a time close to a potential food source or a crevice to keep the eggs hidden from view.
| Lifespan | 9 months to 3 years |
| Distribution | North America |
| Habitat | Regions with low humidity |
| Seasons active | Year-round |
| Hosts | Keratin containing materials like carpets, cereals, clothing, furniture, grains, and insect collections |
| Diet of adults | Pollen from flowers |
The larva, which is by far the most damaging stage, tends to shed skins similar to the actual larva. The presence of these near any damaged goods will help to identify an infestation by these beetles.
Image Source: cdn.branchcms.com, bugguide.net, entnemdept.ufl.edu, lh3.googleusercontent.com, premierpest.ca, plunketts.net
