The
enormous amount of carrot seed we have collected since we first saw
these beetles a few years ago has been wonderful. We collect the seed
and they finish drying outdoors then are stored in a cool dry place.
These particular carrots produced viable and abundant seed thanks to the
pollination from these beetles and others.
The
‘furniture carpet beetle’ (Anthrenus flavipes) pictured below is
considered a ‘pest’ by UC IPM folks at Davis. Greatly admiring the work
of UC IPM we will agree to their advisement, “Examine cut flowers for
adult beetles. Be careful not to bring these pests into the home on cut
flowers—with their rounded bodies and short antennae, carpet beetles
somewhat resemble lady beetles in shape.”
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