Nz Carpet Beetle
The larvae do all the damage the adults only eat pollen.
Nz carpet beetle. Carpet mites although you may see the terms carpet mites and carpet beetles used interchangeably these two pests are actually quite different. Adult beetles are 2 3 mm varied and 3 5 mm long black and resemble ladybirds in shape. Food and sweat stains on fabrics can attract carpet beetles. They shouldn t be overlooked though as.
The most common carpet beetles in new zealand are the varied carpet beetle anthrenus verbasci and the black carpet beetle attagenus unicolor. The varied carpet beetle anthrenus verbasci is a 3 mm long beetle belonging to the family dermestidae they are a common species often considered a pest of domestic houses and particularly natural history museums where the larvae may damage natural fibers and can damage carpets furniture clothing and insect collections. The adult carpet beetle is dark brown to oily black in colour and 3mm to 5mm in length. Adult black carpet beetles range from 1 8 to 3 16 inch long.
In this post we ll talk about carpet mites what causes carpet beetles where carpet beetles come from and how to avoid a carpet beetle infestation. Treat spills and stains immediately as well. Vacuuming carpeting and washing your clothes and other fabrics frequently at least once every 2 or so weeks is the best way to prevent a carpet beetle infestation. The most prevalent and popular one is however the carpet beetle.
They have a round spherical body. The carpet beetle is referred to as the anthrenus verbasci that grows from 1 7 mm to a maximum of 3 5 mm. Verbasci was also the first insect to be shown to have an. In new zealand carpet beetles are often found inside homes warehouses museums and other buildings where they may cause serious damage to clothing furs carpets and other stored fabric items.
Several types of carpet beetles are found in the united kingdom. Carpet beetle larvae will eat all manner of animal material including wool fur silk felt feathers and leather. The black carpet beetle the australian carpet beetle the common carpet beetle the varied carpet beetle shown the furniture carpet beetle and a close cousin the fur beetle have all been introduced to new zealand and are frequently found devouring the woollens and carpets of new zealand homes. One of the less well known of new zealand s pests carpet beetles tend to fly under the radar as far as our call outs go.
Adults and larvae of the black carpet beetle attagenus unicolor are distinctly different from the carpet beetles described above. Varied carpet beetle larva woolly bear and adult. They are shiny black and dark brown with brownish legs. Carpet beetles are found throughout new zealand and can handle lower humidity than clothes moths so are also found inland from the coast.