Can anyone help identify this insect larvae?
Found: UK, autumn, in a bed.
Size: less than 2mm
The bed was searched thoroughly and no others were found, but is there likely to be more of them?
Thanks!
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$\begingroup$ Related: What kind of insect can this be?..., Bug Identification: Is this small tubular, black bug a bed bug?, How to protect my mounted insect specimens..., Varied Carpet Beetle Larvae, What is the name of the critter depicted..., What small insect is this?, What bug is this... $\endgroup$– theforestecologist ♦Jul 1, 2019 at 17:24
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1 Answer
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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.
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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1$\begingroup$ 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. $\endgroup$ Jul 1, 2019 at 17:24