Species Anthrenus verbasci - varied carpet beetle

A.caseyi

1.7 - 3.5 mm

Dorsal surface with scales of two colours: white and yellowish brown (may change to grey in older specimens). White scales condensed on lateral margins of pronotum, a prescutellar spot on the hind margin, and in several spots on elytra, usually partly merging into three tranverse fasciae.

Important characters apart from colour: Eyes not notched in front (diagnostic vs. A.flavipes and A.parvus), antennae 11-segmented with club of three segments (diagnostic vs. A.coloratus)

cosmopolitan

The most abundant species in buildings. Sometimes taken for, or confused with, A.flavipes.

Anthrenus flavipes: Similar colour pattern, but without distinct prescutellar spot on pronotum, white scales on sides of pronotum usually divided into 2 or 3 patches, elytra with a distinct white spot on base, but not adjacent to scutellum. Most important difference: Eyes with an anteriour notch in A.flavipes.