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Can anyone help identify this insect larvae?

Found: UK, autumn, in a bed.

Size: less than 2mm

Larvae picture

Picture 2

The bed was searched thoroughly and no others were found, but is there likely to be more of them?

Thanks!

David
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1 Answers1

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Can anyone help identify this insect larvae?

This is a varied carpet beetle larva, which belongs to the species Anthrenus verbasci.

enter image description here A. verbasci. larval form, left; matured beetle, right.


The bed was searched thoroughly and no others were found, but is there likely to be more of them?

It's difficult to say, though, generally, ~40 eggs are produced at a time, and they can remain in the larval stage for 8 months to almost two years.

At any rate, the University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources, and this website, both provide solid information about this insect, and outline measurements that can be taken to protect your home from it.

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    It's also called a buffalo beetle. This is the varied [or also called variegated] form; there are other forms like the black carpet beetle. – Snack_Food_Termite Jul 01 '19 at 17:24