Anthrenus scrophulariae
- Insect with chitinous carapace
- Flying, crawling
- Material pest, (hygiene and health pest)
The common carpet beetle is one of the most common material pests in the living environment of humans. It prefers to lay its eggs on carpets, skins and textiles, where the larvae leave great damage in the form of feeding holes.
Carpet beetles are not classified as disease vectors. However, the hairs of beetle larvae can cause allergic skin and respiratory reactions in some people and cause dermatitis, nasal irritation and eye infections. In particular, the arrow hairs at the end of the larvae have very long tips that are easily breakable. They serve as a defence and contain allergens.
More data
Class: Insects
Size: 3 to 4mm
Weight: Variable
Age: 1 month
Appearance: Red-white-black elytra spots
Food: Pollen and nectar (beetles), keratin (larvae)
Distribution: Worldwide (cultural successor)
Origin location: Unknown
Habitat: Open field and buildings
Natural enemies: Unknown
Threatened with extinction: No
- The common carpet beetle is a very useful insect in nature as it helps to remove the fur from dead animals.
- The beetle larvae are pests and often appear at the bottom of the bed box or in the wardrobe. Holes in textiles or carpets are often noticed first. Usually the damage is concentrated in one place.
- Beetle larvae behave slightly differently to moth larvae but the patterns of damage they cause are very similar. After feeding, beetle larvae move from the feeding site to other materials that they do not eat. They pupate there. The hatched adult beetles are not as sensitive to light as moths. On the contrary, the beetles are often found at windows where they want to get out.
- While the beetles feed only on nectar and pollen, the larvae mainly eat proteins such as keratin. This exists in hair, feathers, silk, horns and wool. Therefore, the larvae can cause considerable damage to wool textiles, carpets or furs in the household. In fur, they mainly bite into the tips of the hairs. They leave irregular feeding holes, but no white webs typical of clothes moths.
- In May and June, the females like to fly into the flat to lay their eggs, especially on materials of animal origin (carpets, woollen textiles, furs, etc.). The heavily hairy larvae hatch after about 15 days. Before they reach adulthood, the larvae molt up to 12 times. The insects pupate each autumn. After a 6-month resting period, the finished beetle leaves in the spring of the following year. The life expectancy of a beetle is only about one month. During this time, mating takes place and eggs are laid again.
- In nature, the offspring develop in nests of birds and mammals.
In which area does the pest occur?
The area of application determines which products are recommended to control this pest.
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