Black carpet beetle larvae are 1/4 inch long, tapered in shape and have a golden sheen over the brown body. The black carpet beetle adult is 1/8 to 1/4 inch long, elongate oval, and as the name implies, black in color.

Varied carpet beetle larvae are 1/4 inch long and widest at the middle. They typically have alternating light and dark bands across the top of the abdomen, but this character is not prominent in all specimens. The adult is 1/16 to 1/8 inch long and nearly round or broadly oval. The wing covers are marked with a mottled pattern of yellow, white and orange scales on a black background. The colored scales may disappear from an old specimen.

Control of carpet beetles was discussed in the newsletter one year ago. See Horticulture and Home Pest Newsletter, April 7, 1993 , page 43.

Black Carpet Beetle	Varied Carpet Beetle

This article originally appeared in the March 23, 1994 issue, p. 31.