Caterpillar In The Carpet

The caterpillars of this delicately patterned moth depend on barberry plants for their survival.

Caterpillar in the carpet. Barberry berberis vulgaris is not generally thought to be native to britain but it was once planted widely as a hedgerow shrub as it grows densely and has sharp spines. Imagine my shock then at finding a caterpillar on my living room floor today. Carpet caterpillar at this time of year even here in southern arizona i am always a bit surprised to find insect activity. I found a hard substance that was incrusted in our carpet while i was cleaning.

However in the 19th century it was discovered that the plant is a host for a fungus that causes stem rust which damages wheat. Sometimes the cat ignores his litter box in favor of urinating on the carpet and his owners wonder what s going on. Don t ever skip looking for these as evidence of adults also indicates probable presence of larvae. Making sure our house was thoroughly cleaned i got on my hands and knees and proceeded to pick at it with my finger.

It was a familiar species but still a bit early i think. Click to share on facebook opens in new window. These are newly hatched carpet bugs that will be around 1 8 of an inch long and covered in coarse hairs almost like a caterpillar. Remember to vacuum inside the cracks of the furniture as carpet beetles like to feed in dark places.