Carpet Beetle Attagenus

The black carpet beetle attagenus unicolor is a 3 5 millimetre long 0 12 0 20 in beetle that can be a serious household pest the larvae grow to 7 mm 0 28 in in length are reddish brown in colour and covered with bristles.

Carpet beetle attagenus.

Most are about 3 5 millimeters in length as adults. Their pronota and heads are black and the head is partially concealed from above. Adult black carpet beetle. Black carpet beetles facts identification control latin name.

Adult carpet beetles measure 2 8 to 5 mm in length. There are nine species of attagenus known from north of mexico. 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. You first need to find the source of the infestation and then seek profesional help.

The larvae are distinctive in being tapered from front to back with a bundle of long hairs extending from the rear end. These beetles are elongated oval 2 5 5 5 mm in length black to dark brown and sparsely covered with dark hairs. Larvae are slender with long hairs at the end of the abdomen. Adults are shiny solid black or brown beetles.

The species found in pennsylvania is the black carpet beetle attagenus unicolor. The larval form feeds on natural fibres damaging carpets furniture and clothing. It damages household products containing keratin a principal protein found in animal hair and feathers.