urbpan: (dandelion)
[personal profile] urbpan
 photo P1020816_zpss1akkxkx.jpg
This is another time where I wasn't sure what I was looking at until I examined the photo later. Another little beetle only 3 mm long or so, and delightfully colorful. What a disappointment to realize it's not only non-native, but moonlights as a household pest.

 photo P1020843_zpslwbicxll.jpg
Anthrenus verbasci* is also known as the varied carpet beetle (or more correctly, if awkwardly "variegated carpet beetle). Carpet beetles are a group of beetles that specialize on the dry durable tissues of the long dead. A wool carpet is just a big mat of mammal fur, a priceless taxidermy is a tempting balloon of edible skin, a beautiful set of mounted butterflies is a carpet beetle buffet. This species has a taste for plant tissues as well, becoming a pest in flour mills and food storage facilities.

* This name translates to "mullein wasp."

Date: 2015-06-18 12:24 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] morgi.livejournal.com
These guys and clothing moths are the bane of fiber artists everywhere.

Date: 2015-06-18 12:47 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] buboniclou.livejournal.com
Tangentially related to bugs, but I think you'd be really enjoying @kylecassidy's LJ these days.

Profile

urbpan: (Default)
urbpan

May 2017

S M T W T F S
 123456
78910111213
1415 1617181920
21222324252627
28293031   

Most Popular Tags

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags
Page generated Jun. 23rd, 2025 02:30 pm
Powered by Dreamwidth Studios