Carpet beetles are a family of beetles that have a cosmopolitan distribution. There are around 500-700 species in this family.
These beetles are separated into subfamilies, consisting of various genera.
Size: 0.078-0.197 in (0.2-0.5 cm)
Color: Most beetles in this family are black, though the larder beetle has a yellow band covering its elytra.
Other Characteristic Features: Their bodies are round and oval, covered with scales or bristles.
Dark brown or black, the larvae are covered in setae giving them a fuzzy appearance. Their body has a pair of chewing mouthparts, three pairs of thoracic legs, a sclerotized head capsule, and an abdomen with a couple of spine-like appendages.
The location where the larva pupates varies, either inside a larval shelter or a food source.
Females can lay eggs near a food source, ranging from 40 to 800.
| Other names | Skin beetles, larder beetles, hide beetles, leather beetles, khapra beetles, dermestid beetles, flesh-eating beetles |
| Lifespan | Males: 2 to 4 weeks Females: 2 to 6 weeks |
| Distribution | Worldwide |
| Habitat | Temperate and tropical regions |
| Predators | Spiders, some ant species |
| Seasons active | May to July |
| Hosts | Dried foodstuffs, skins, hides, wood, and other natural fibers |
| Diet of adults | Pollen and nectar |
The larvae feed on different types of plant and animal materials. This leads to damage to foodstuffs, clothing, and other household materials.
