Black Carpet Beetle California

Beetles of california showcase listing of beetles found in the state of california.

Black carpet beetle california.

The black carpet beetle usually lays 90 eggs more than either of the other two carpet beetles. As they mature these bugs gradually become dark and black. While varied carpet beetles thrive further south any place with warm buildings suits the insect. Black carpet beetle attagenus unicolor.

These tiny black beetle bugs belong to the family dermestidae and their larvae can be a true household pest. Attagenus unicolor is the scientific name for the black carpet beetle. Insects are typically drawn to areas by available food supply weather environmental factors. Adult black carpet beetles are oval and appear shiny black with brownish legs.

Black carpet beetles vary in body length from 1 8 to 3 16 inch. Plant products such as cereals and grains as well as synthetic fabrics not. In california and other arid areas the black carpet beetle is a more serious pest for stored products e g grains flours cereals than a fabric pest. Black and common carpet beetles do not fare as well in higher temperatures and are more prominent in europe the northern united states and canada.

It damages household products containing keratin a principal protein found in animal hair and feathers. The black carpet beetle attagenus unicolor brahm is the most common and most destructive of the five important species of carpet beetles in the united states. Black carpet beetle larvae frequently stay hidden when feeding are golden to dark brown and are about 1 2 inch long.