Black carpet beetle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black carpet beetle |
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The black carpet beetle (scientific name: Attagenus unicolor) is a small insect, usually about 3 to 5 millimeters long. Even though it's tiny, it can be a big problem in homes because it's a common pest. Its young, called larvae, are about 7 millimeters long. They are reddish-brown and have tiny hairs all over their bodies. These larvae love to munch on natural materials like carpets, furniture, and clothes, causing damage.
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Life Cycle of the Black Carpet Beetle
The black carpet beetle goes through a complete metamorphosis. This means it has four different life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Each stage looks very different and takes a different amount of time to develop.
Egg Stage
Female beetles usually lay their eggs on or very close to a food source. If they can't find food, they will lay eggs in dark, quiet spots. These places might include carpets or clothing. They also like to lay eggs near pet food. Eggs usually hatch in about 5 to 20 days. The exact time depends on things like temperature and how much moisture is in the air.
Larva Stage
When they first hatch, larvae are only about 1 millimeter long. They grow quite fast if they have enough food, especially food rich in protein. As they grow, larvae shed their skin, a process called molting. They can molt about 10 to 15 times or even more.
The larval stage is the longest part of the beetle's life. It is also the stage where they cause the most damage. Larvae can stay in this stage for up to three years. However, if they have good food and conditions, it usually takes about three months. When they are ready, larvae move away from their food source to become pupae.
Pupa Stage
Pupae start out as a creamy white color. But they quickly turn yellow and then get darker as they get older. During this stage, pupae do not eat or move. They transform into adult beetles in about 8 to 20 days. After changing, the new beetle might stay inside its old pupa skin for another day or two.
Adult Stage
New adult beetles are white at first, but they get darker as they age. They eventually turn black, which is how they get their name. Adult beetles usually do not eat indoors. In the wild, they might sometimes eat flower pollen. Adults live for only a few weeks. Their main job is to mate and lay more eggs. A female beetle can lay between 50 and 100 eggs.
The entire life cycle, from egg to adult, takes about 4 to 5 months under good conditions. If they have protein-rich food like pet food, it can be even faster. Female beetles will lay more eggs if there is a little bit of water available.
See also
In Spanish: Attagenus unicolor para niños
- Varied carpet beetle
