BEETLES ABOUND!

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.”