carpet beetle

noun

: any of several small dermestid beetles (genera Anthrenus and Attagenus) whose larvae are destructive especially to woolen goods

Examples of carpet beetle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Not only that, insects, including silverfish, termites, and carpet beetles, to name a few, love to feed on paper. Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Sep. 2024 They can sometimes be mistaken for bed bugs due to their size and shape, but unlike bed bugs, carpet beetles have wings and can fly. Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 29 May 2024 Bed bugs have six legs and antennae and are wingless, which distinguishes them from similar-looking insects like carpet beetles. Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 29 May 2024 Environment Science The relatives of modern carpet beetles may have fed on dinosaur feathers and played an important role in recycling organic matter. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 17 Apr. 2023 Airing out the mattress is a good start to taming those troublesome particles, as is removing the carpets and giving them a good beating with a fireplace poker or baseball bat, which can shake out carpet beetle dung and other nasty things. Gregory McNamee, CNN, 20 Mar. 2021 Along with the ticks, the team found microscopic hairs from carpet beetle larvae, creatures that are commonly found in birds’ nests today. John Pickrell, National Geographic, 12 Dec. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of carpet beetle was circa 1889

Dictionary Entries Near carpet beetle

Cite this Entry

“Carpet beetle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carpet%20beetle. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

carpet beetle

noun
: a small beetle whose larva damages woolen goods

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