Carpet Beetle Larvae Stages

The larva of the carpet beetle is covered in visible thick brown stripes.

Carpet beetle larvae stages.

Luckily the treatment for carpet beetles is the same no matter which species you have. Carpet beetles of all species cause the most damage when they are in the larvae stage. Their food preference includes all kinds of fabrics and dead insects. Carpet beetle larvae are carrot shaped and between one eighth to a quarter inch long.

In spring female carpet beetles lay 25 to 100 eggs which hatch into larvae within two weeks. In contrast to larvae of the varied carpet beetle these larvae are broader in front and narrower at the rear. There are several types of carpet beetles including the varied carpet beetle black carpet beetle furniture carpet beetle and common carpet beetle. Larvae are basically immature carpet beetles which have come out of their eggs and are now looking to feed.

All species of carpet beetles undergo complete metamorphosis passing through the egg larval and pupal stages before developing into adults most carpet beetles develop up to four generations yearly while varied and black carpet beetles develop only one. They have an elongated body which is covered in hair or large setae. Carpet beetles prefer to dwell in dark undisturbed areas where susceptible items are stored for long periods. Depending on food sources and climate larvae may take over a year to develop into adults.

The larvae of carpet beetles are referred to as woolly bears. Carpet beetle larvae are able to mature under a variety of humidity levels and temperatures although they tend to avoid bright areas. When inspecting clothing pay attention to seams folds and creases e g. It grows up to 5 mm in length.

Larvae are white at first but darken to dark red or chestnut brown as they mature. The black carpet beetle attagenus unicolor is a 3 5 millimetre long 0 12 0 20 in beetle that can be a serious household pest the larvae grow to 7 mm 0 28 in in length are reddish brown in colour and covered with bristles. Carpet beetle larvae are the form of beetles that comes between the egg stage and the adult stage of their growth cycle. Grown carpet beetles can survive both outdoors and indoors but the female beetles usually prefer laying their eggs in places where there is an abundance of larval food sources.

This destructive stage lasts from a few months to two years during which they molt several times. The larval form feeds on natural fibres damaging carpets furniture and clothing. The life cycle of a carpet beetle ranges from two months to several years in length. The hair is organized in a way that it forms a combination of dark and light patches.

Larvae of the furniture carpet beetle feed on the same types of items as varied carpet beetle larvae. Carpet beetle larvae might end up eating milled products from the kitchen or pantry animal food and seeds.