Black Carpet Beetles
Facts, Identification & Control
Adult carpet beetles measure 2.8 to 5 mm in length. Their pronota and heads are black, and the head is partially concealed from above. Their wings, known as elytra, are brownish black.
Behavior, Diet & Habits
Black carpet beetles are common in the northeastern United States. Like other carpet beetle species, they feed on leather, silk, wool, feathers and hair. Black carpet beetles may also consume dried meat, plants and dead insects. This carpet beetle species can infest kitchen cabinets and clothing storage areas.
In warm environments, eggs hatch into larvae within six to 12 days; colder environments delay hatching times to between 15 and 20 days. Black carpet beetle larvae are longer than many other carpet beetle larvae and are brown and gold in color. A clump of golden hairs is located at the end of their bodies.
Black carpet beetle larvae can survive up to 640 days and adults can live for a couple of months. Adults do not cause damage indoors.