Ornate Carpet Beetle
Trogoderma ornatum
This record describes Trogoderma ornatum (species). Recorded family: Dermestidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Det. Andreas Herrmann, 2009 Not particularly common; adults usually found on flowers. Preys on wasp and bee larvae found in tunnels in trees. --Richard Beal, pers. comm. to Jim McClarin
Identification notes
Det. Andreas Herrmann, 2009
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Bostrichoidea
- Family
- Dermestidae (Carpet Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Megatominae
- Tribe
- Megatomini
- Genus
- Trogoderma
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
common museum pest; outdoors, in dead insects and debris in hollow trees, bird nests, in nests of bees and wasps that provision their cells with spiders and insects ( 6 )
Geographic Range
e. NA (NS-ON to FL-TX); ?CA; Mesoamerica - Map
Seasonal Activity
throughout the year in heated buildings ( 6 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: various dry animal/plant material ( 6 )
Life History
two generations per year ( 6 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Trogoderma ornatum (Say 1825)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Trogoderma ornatum. 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 Ornate Carpet Beetle (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jim McClarin; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Ornate Carpet Beetle
What is Ornate Carpet Beetle?
Ornate Carpet Beetle (Trogoderma ornatum) is a species in the family Dermestidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Ornate Carpet Beetle?
1.9–3.6 mm
How do you identify Ornate Carpet Beetle?
Det. Andreas Herrmann, 2009
Where is Ornate Carpet Beetle found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | common museum pest; outdoors, in dead insects and debris in hollow trees, bird nests, in nests of bees and wasps that provision their cells with spiders and insects ( 6 ) |
| Range | e. NA (NS-ON to FL-TX); ?CA; Mesoamerica - Map |
What does Ornate Carpet Beetle eat?
The diet of the Ornate Carpet Beetle includes various dry animal/plant material ( 6 ).
When is Ornate Carpet Beetle active?
Ornate Carpet Beetle: seasonal activity - throughout the year in heated buildings ( 6 ).
What is the life cycle of a Ornate Carpet Beetle?
two generations per year ( 6 )