Species Anthrenus scrophulariae - Buffalo Carpet Beetle

Common Carpet Beetle, Marbled Carpet Beetle

2-3.8 mm

Scales of dorsal surface black, white and red (or yellow), distributed in a characteristic pattern. Eyes notched in front, antennae 11-segmented, with club of 3 segments.

Native to the Palaearctic region, introduced elsewhere, now cosmopolitan (more common in north temperate regions and less common in humid regions) and transcontinental in NA(1)(2) (n. & c. US + adjacent Canada)(3)

In some European countries is known to occur outdoors only (in bird & wasp nests, and on dead animals). There seem to be two biological variants: one breeds indoors and does not visit flowers, and one breeds outdoors.

adults feed on nectar and pollen(1); larvae feed on various animal materials (incl. wool, feathers, hair/fur, and museum specimens) and dried plants(2)

Adults copulate and feed on the blossoms of white flowers; the females require nectar and pollen to stimulate oviposition, which usually limits indoor infestations. Mated and fed females fly into houses or carried in on flowers. Once inside, or in an animal burrow or nest, the female lays eggs and dies. Larvae feed until the end of the warm season, when most pupate and the remainder overwinter.(2)

a household pest, also known to attack dried insect collections(1)