Carpet beetles
Larval forms can cause considerable damage to keratin-containing products such as wool, fur, leather, silk and dried animal remains. Occasionally, food products of plant origin, such as cereals and fibres, will also be attacked. Damage takes the form of clean, irregular holes and in textiles these generally occur around seams. There is no webbing or excrement present and by the time larvae are observed, considerable damage has often been done. Because of the large number of larval moults, when cast larval skins are seen they tend to exaggerate the extent of the infestation. Carpet beetles are of limited significance as a health hazard, although they are potential vectors of anthrax. In certain situations the larval hairs cause skin irritation to those exposed to large numbers of the insects.
