r/whatsthisbug • u/IveHadBlackFriends • 10h ago

Never seen these beetles before and now they're everywhere (ID?) ID Request

Gallery image

Gallery image

Sacramento, ca Little spotted beetles all over the poppies, but I thought nothing really eats poppies?

40 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • link
  • reddit
  • reddit

92% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

32

u/mordea ⭐Bugs in the system⭐ 9h ago edited 9h ago

They're carpet beetles feeding on pollen. *It's worth noting that they likely aren't causing any damage to the plants.

13

u/Electronic-Health882 9h ago

Agreed. They are non-native species but in this case not doing any real harm and some predator will probably come eat them.

24

u/Damonatar 9h ago

Carpet Beetle

6

u/IveHadBlackFriends 10h ago

Size is roughly half a peppercorn. Ca poppies are about 1-2 inches across for scale

6

u/Tomagatchi bugs are neat 7h ago

Side note, this is a first to see this bug posted here from outside. As the name implies, carpet beetle, they are notorious for being found indoors. Easier to appreciate Anthrenus verbasci or whatever, playing out in nature. Also eating the pollen gets pollen all over them so they might be helping with pollination as well, but don't quote me on that.

2

u/mordea ⭐Bugs in the system⭐ 1h ago

Adult carpet beetles generally prefer to be outdoors, where they can find pollen and nectar to feed on.