Varied Carpet Beetle vs Drugstore Beetle
Varied Carpet Beetles and drugstore beetles are easy to mix up at a glance, but a few details separate them quickly. Here is how to tell which one you found and what, if anything, you should do about it.
Quick answer
Check for this first. A varied carpet beetle has very small, round beetle with a mottled scale pattern, while a drugstore beetle has oval, reddish-brown body with lengthwise grooves.
Side-by-side comparison
| Varied Carpet Beetle | Drugstore Beetle | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Beetles | Beetles |
| Scientific name | Anthrenus verbasci | Stegobium paniceum |
| Size | 2–3.5 mm | 2–3.5 mm |
| Colors | Black, White, Yellow and Brown | Brown and Red |
| Legs | 6 legs | 6 legs |
| Wings | Yes | Yes |
| Bites or stings | No | No |
| Risk | Nuisance | Nuisance |
| Key feature | Very small, round beetle with a mottled scale pattern | Oval, reddish-brown body with lengthwise grooves |
Key differences
- Color: Varied Carpet Beetles are black, white, yellow and brown; drugstore beetles are brown and red.
- Where found: look for varied carpet beetles in bedrooms and beds and indoors; drugstore beetles turn up in pantries and stored food and in the kitchen.
- Signature feature: Varied Carpet Beetles: very small, round beetle with a mottled scale pattern. Drugstore Beetles: oval, reddish-brown body with lengthwise grooves.
How to identify varied carpet beetles
A tiny, round beetle mottled with white, brown and yellow scales. The fuzzy, banded larvae chew holes in wool, silk, feathers, leather and stored animal products.
- Very small, round beetle with a mottled scale pattern
- Fuzzy, striped larvae with a tuft of hair at the tail
- Found on windowsills in spring and in closets year-round
How to identify drugstore beetles
A small, reddish-brown pantry beetle with rows of fine grooves along its wing covers. It infests dried foods, spices, pet food, and even books and medicines.
- Oval, reddish-brown body with lengthwise grooves
- Head tucked down and hidden when seen from above
- Antennae end in a loose three-segment club
Which one is more dangerous?
Neither is more dangerous than the other; both are rated nuisance on our scale.
Carpet beetles don't bite, but larval hairs can cause itchy skin rashes in some people. Drugstore beetles don't bite or spread disease, but they ruin stored food.
Where and when you'll see each
Varied Carpet Beetles turn up in bedrooms and beds and indoors, mostly in spring and summer. Drugstore Beetles turn up in pantries and stored food and in the kitchen, mostly in spring, summer, fall and winter.
Where you found the bug is itself a strong clue, since these two rarely share the same spots.
What to do if you find one
Varied Carpet Beetles: Vacuum carpets, closets, baseboards and under furniture often. Read the full removal guide for more.
Drugstore Beetles: Find and throw out the infested package, then check every dry good nearby. Read the full removal guide for more.
Biology: beetles
Beetles go through complete metamorphosis: egg, larva (grub), pupa and adult. The larval stage often does the most feeding and damage, and it can last from a few weeks to several years depending on the species. Adults protect their flight wings under hard wing covers called elytra, which is why most beetles look armored and meet in a neat line down the back.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between varied carpet beetles and drugstore beetles?
Color: Varied Carpet Beetles are black, white, yellow and brown; drugstore beetles are brown and red.
Which is bigger, a varied carpet beetle or a drugstore beetle?
Varied Carpet Beetle: 2–3.5 mm. Drugstore Beetle: 2–3.5 mm.
Do varied carpet beetles or drugstore beetles bite?
Varied Carpet Beetles do not bite. Drugstore Beetles do not bite.
Where are they usually found?
Varied Carpet Beetles: in bedrooms and beds and indoors. Drugstore Beetles: in pantries and stored food and in the kitchen.