Agriculture Entomology and Pest Pesticides

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Chapter IDENTIFICATION AND LIFE CYCLE:
All three carpet beetle species have similar life cycles [...]. Adults lay eggs on a larval food source such as woolen fabric or carpets or furs. Eggs hatch in about two weeks, and the larvae feed for varying periods. They prefer dark, secluded places. When ready to pupate, the larvae might burrow further into the food or wander and burrow elsewhere. They also pupate within their last larval skin if no other shelter is available. Although larvae don't make webs as clothes moths do, their shed skins and fecal pellets, which are about the size of a grain of salt, make it obvious where they have been feeding.
Carpet beetle adults don't feed on fabrics but search for pollen and nectar. They are attracted to sunlight. We often find them feeding on the flowers which produce abundant pollen. However, you can accidentally bring these pests inside on items such as cut flowers. With their rounded bodies and short antennae, carpet beetles somewhat resemble lady beetles in shape [...].
DAMAGE:
Damage occurs during the larval stage of carpet beetles. Larvae feed in dark, undisturbed locations on a variety of dead animals and animal products such as wool, silk, leather, fur, hair brushes with natural bristles, pet hair, and feathers; occasionally they feed on stored products such as certain spices and grains. They don't feed on synthetic fibers.
One cannot identify type of beetle by looking at damage they caused, but in general carpet beetles are more likely to damage a large area on one portion of a garment or carpet while moth damage more often appears as scattered holes. Also carpet beetle larvae leave brown, shell like, bristly looking cast skins when they molt. These skins and a lack of webbing are usually good clues that carpet beetles are damaging.
MANAGEMENT:
Carpet beetles are among the most difficult indoor pests to control because of their ability to find food in obscure places and to disperse widely

Dr. C.S. Jawale, M.Sc. Ph.D., is professor and scientist. He is teaching students from 15 years to graduates and postgraduates. The author is doing research on animal toxicology and natural products. He has published 11 books and 27 papers.