carpet beetle

American  

noun

1. any of several small beetles of the family Dermestidae, the larvae of which are household pests, feeding on rugs and other woolen fabrics, especially Anthrenus scrophulariae buffalo carpet beetle and Attagenus piceus black carpet beetle.

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carpet beetle British  

noun

1. any of various beetles of the genus Anthrenus, the larvae of which feed on carpets, furnishing fabrics, etc: family Dermestidae

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Etymology

Origin of carpet beetle

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Along with the ticks, the team found microscopic hairs from carpet beetle larvae, creatures that are commonly found in birds’ nests today.

From National Geographic • Dec. 12, 2017

The carpet beetle actually doesn't look anything like a bed bug, but it is the right size.

From Scientific American • Jan. 23, 2012

A shiny dark shuttle squats in the shadows like a carpet beetle, waiting for when it will go into duty in four hundred years.

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera

In experimenting on beetles, an insect was secured as nearly the size of the carpet beetle as could be found.

From Scientific American, Volume 40, No. 13, March 29, 1879 A Weekly Journal of Practical Information, Art, Science, Mechanics, Chemistry, and Manufactures by Various

As a result, the writer does not hesitate to recommend the powder to housekeepers as an infallible agent in destroying the carpet beetle and preventing its ravages.

From Scientific American, Volume 40, No. 13, March 29, 1879 A Weekly Journal of Practical Information, Art, Science, Mechanics, Chemistry, and Manufactures by Various