Species Anthrenus lepidus
There were swarms of Carpet Beetles on Yellow Sweet Clover on
Antelope Island on this mid-May day. © Carol Davis 5-13-2019
You can find these carpet beetles on Antelope Island any warm
day during the spring and summer, but this is the first time I have
noticed them in such large numbers. They were mainly on the
north side of the island. © Carol Davis 5-13-2019
This Carpet Beetle on Common Yarrow from Antelope Island differs from
Anthrenus verbasci in pattern and the fact that it has two spots on the pale
part of the body we laymen would call shoulders (the experts call it the pronotum).
According to Wikipedia, the adult beetle feeds on pollen and the larva feeds on
dead plant and animal matter. Other species of carpet beetles, like Anthrenus
Museorum, are notorious for destroying museum collections (like pinned insects).
© Carol Davis, 5-31-2009© Carol Davis, 5-31-2009, Antelope Island
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