Organism Crawling on Desk is Carpet Beetle Larva

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A reader just sent us some phenomenal photographs she took of a small organism crawling on her desk at work. The photos capture some really vivid details of the specimen, and should be very useful in identifying it.

The beige creature is quite tiny, segmented, and has many thin hairs or legs sprouting from its body. At one end, it has three brown segments, and long beige tails. It is quite unique looking and we are very curious about its identification!

After close examination, we recognize this creature as a carpet beetle larva! Although these critters are often more orange hued, this is unmistakably a carpet beetle larva, as we recognize it by the many hairs that line its segmented body.

We hear from readers about carpet beetle larva pretty regularly, but it is not often that someone discovers one in their workplace. Since these creatures feed on dust particles, various fibers, pet hair, and other materials people usually find them in a carpeted room in their house or munching on their couch or other upholstered furniture items.

The presence of carpet beetle larva in our reader’s office signifies that a carpet beetle has laid eggs. This species is most destructive at the larval stage, in which they gorge themselves on carpets, linens, animal hair, and other particles. Our reader should inform the sanitation team at her office of this invasion. Getting rid of carpet beetle and their larva involves lots of sweeping and cleaning, but it can be done!

In conclusion, one of our readers found a specimen crawling around on her desk at work. We were at first stumped by its peculiar appearance, but we have figured this out to be a carpet beetle larva!

 

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Organism Crawling on Desk is Carpet Beetle Larva
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Organism Crawling on Desk is Carpet Beetle Larva
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A reader just sent us some phenomenal photographs she took of a small organism crawling on her desk at work. The photos capture some really vivid details of the specimen, and should be very useful in identifying it.
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Author: Worm Researcher Dori

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