Varied Carpet Beetle vs Larder Beetle
Varied Carpet Beetles and larder 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 larder beetle has dark, oblong body with a light tan band across the wing covers.
Side-by-side comparison
| Varied Carpet Beetle | Larder Beetle | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Beetles | Beetles |
| Scientific name | Anthrenus verbasci | Dermestes lardarius |
| Size | 2–3.5 mm | 7–9 mm |
| Colors | Black, White, Yellow and Brown | Black, Tan and Brown |
| 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 | Dark, oblong body with a light tan band across the wing covers |
Key differences
- Size: Larder Beetles are larger, reaching 9 mm, while varied carpet beetles top out around 3.5 mm.
- Color: Varied Carpet Beetles are black, white, yellow and brown; larder beetles are black, tan and brown.
- Where found: look for varied carpet beetles in bedrooms and beds and indoors; larder beetles turn up in pantries and stored food, in the kitchen and in basements and garages.
- Signature feature: Varied Carpet Beetles: very small, round beetle with a mottled scale pattern. Larder Beetles: dark, oblong body with a light tan band across the wing covers.
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 larder beetles
A dark, oblong beetle with a pale yellowish band across the front half of its back. Its hairy larvae feed on dried meats, pet food, cheese and dead insects.
- Dark, oblong body with a light tan band across the wing covers
- Six small black dots inside the pale band
- Bristly brown larvae with two curved spines at the tail
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. Larder beetles don't bite, but larvae can bore into wood and they contaminate food.
Where and when you'll see each
Varied Carpet Beetles turn up in bedrooms and beds and indoors, mostly in spring and summer. Larder Beetles turn up in pantries and stored food, in the kitchen and in basements and garages, mostly in spring and summer.
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.
Larder Beetles: Find and remove the food source, such as pet food or a dead animal in a wall. 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 larder beetles?
Size: Larder Beetles are larger, reaching 9 mm, while varied carpet beetles top out around 3.5 mm.
Which is bigger, a varied carpet beetle or a larder beetle?
Varied Carpet Beetle: 2–3.5 mm. Larder Beetle: 7–9 mm.
Do varied carpet beetles or larder beetles bite?
Varied Carpet Beetles do not bite. Larder Beetles do not bite.
Where are they usually found?
Varied Carpet Beetles: in bedrooms and beds and indoors. Larder Beetles: in pantries and stored food, in the kitchen and in basements and garages.