Black Carpet Beetle
Attagenus unicolor
This record describes Attagenus unicolor (species). Recorded family: Dermestidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Telling apart the subspecies: in A. u. unicolor , the pronotum and elytra are almost entirely covered with dark setae; in A. u. japonicus , the sides and base of the pronotum and the base of the elytra have distinctive golden brown setae. One of the most common household pests in NA (the damage is done by the larvae only); attacks museum specimens, esp. dried insects Has been reported to damage books; pest in Japan's silk industry. Larvae often bore into food containers, making food vulnerable to infestation by other pests. When disturbed, larvae curl and remain motionless for a long period.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Bostrichoidea
- Family
- Dermestidae (Carpet Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Attageninae
- Tribe
- Attagenini
- Genus
- Attagenus (Black Carpet Beetles)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
nests of birds, wasps/bees, rodents; may infest homes and facilities such as grain elevators, flour mills, feed mills, and museums
Geographic Range
adventive and widespread in NA , native to the Old World (origin unknown; non-native in Europe), now nearly cosmopolitan
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on animal materials (silk cloth, wool, feathers, hair, fur, fishmeal, etc.) and cereal products; adults feed on pollen of various plants outdoors ( 6 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Attagenus unicolor (Brahm 1791)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Attagenus unicolor. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Coleoptera is the largest order of insects with over 400,000 described species, representing ~25% of all known animal species and ~40% of all insects. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30,000 beetle species have been identified.
Ecological role of the group
Beetles are prominent decomposers, especially in forests, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. As predators, they reduce populations of pest insects. Many species are also important pollinators of flowering plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Beetles have major economic significance: leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) are among the most destructive agricultural pests globally, costing billions annually, while predatory species like ladybugs provide natural pest control.
Recorded sources for this group: Britannica, Smithsonian, NCSU Entomology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Black Carpet Beetle (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , Boris Bueche , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Black Carpet Beetle
What is Black Carpet Beetle?
Black Carpet Beetle (Attagenus unicolor) is a species in the family Dermestidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Black Carpet Beetle?
2.5–5.5 mm
How do you identify Black Carpet Beetle?
Telling apart the subspecies: in A. u. unicolor , the pronotum and elytra are almost entirely covered with dark setae; in A. u. japonicus , the sides and base of the pronotum and the base of the elytra have distinctive golden brown setae.
Where is Black Carpet Beetle found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | nests of birds, wasps/bees, rodents; may infest homes and facilities such as grain elevators, flour mills, feed mills, and museums |
| Range | adventive and widespread in NA , native to the Old World (origin unknown; non-native in Europe), now nearly cosmopolitan |
What does Black Carpet Beetle eat?
The diet of the Black Carpet Beetle includes Larvae feed on animal materials (silk cloth, wool, feathers, hair, fur, fishmeal, etc.) and cereal products; adults feed on pollen of various plants outdoors ( 6 ).