ID this bug please

Pink Floyd70 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-02-2011, 12:17 PM

hi can someone please help me iD this bug?
i keep finding 1 or 2 in the mornings in the bedroom on the side cabinet.
had a look threw the pics on here but cant seem to find it.
its that small i cant even see on my phone camera as thats all i have,
the shape is like a
Blue shieldbug/Tortoise Beetle
it looks like it has 6 legs
colour is brownish with 3 grey stripes going across the body from side to side
or it could be 3 layers of shell, its not a hard shell like a beetle/roach
they move very slowly,
if i can get a good picture i shall upload.
any ideas please
cheers Joe

healfdan · #2 (**permalink**) 10-02-2011, 01:19 PM

Difficult without a picture but going for a guess. Could be Anthrenus verbasci sometimes referred to as a museum beetle. Size in the range 1.7 to 3.5 mm They feed on pollens and textiles.

Pink Floyd70 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-02-2011, 02:24 PM

hi and thank you for your reply.
yes i will try and get a picture as i know it will hard to say what it is with out you seeing it.

i done a google search museum beetle and it does look similiar to this but not same colour or stripe but the shape is.

i had new carpets put in last year and thinkin it could be that?
its that small to take a good picture of it.

Wild-Woman · #4 (**permalink**) 10-02-2011, 02:29 PM

It won't be your new carpets. Perhaps you have a birds nest or something in the loft that is hosting them. Carpet beetles only like organic fibres and won't harm you.

Jason Green · #5 (**permalink**) 10-02-2011, 10:20 PM

Hello Joe, and welcome to WAB!

It could easily be a Museum Beetle/Varied Carpet Beetle (it's other common name) - the intensity of the markings can vary, and given the small-ish size your eyes may only be picking up on the contrast.

I've seen these outside feeding on nectar from flowers - sure, they feed on detritus matter and breed in carpets but it could have just been hibernating and awoken.

Try relocating them outside when you find them.

Take care,

Jason

Pink Floyd70 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-02-2011, 06:18 PM

hi and thanks for your replys.

ive done a small drawing of it, dont lol

my sister says its balck in coulor whith with wavy white stripes
also i have it in a small money bag and when its on its back or i tap the bag in shows wings,
but when its out it dont fly or ive not seen 1 fly so far only walkin slowy.
the body is not smooth like a beetle it seems rough.
cheers Joe

Fauna · #7 (**permalink**) 11-02-2011, 06:24 PM

What about Attagenus trifasciatus, they have these bands.?

Regards Chris...

Pink Floyd70 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-02-2011, 06:37 PM

am lookin at pictures for Attagenus trifasciatus and it looks like the stripes , but the head/neck bit does not look the same as it dont have the big gap between head and body and were the stipes are it seems it look like ridges not smooth like a beatle......cheers joe

Jason Green · #9 (**permalink**) 11-02-2011, 07:27 PM

...I think Chris may have it - the head-shape/elytral markings look spot-on.

Paul mabbott · #10 (**permalink**) 12-02-2011, 07:39 AM

It would depend on the type of carpet - the beetle only eats woollen carpet so if yours is synthetic there's no need to worry.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pink Floyd70

hi and thank you for your reply.
yes i will try and get a picture as i know it will hard to say what it is with out you seeing it.

i done a google search museum beetle and it does look similiar to this but not same colour or stripe but the shape is.

i had new carpets put in last year and thinkin it could be that?
its that small to take a good picture of it.