North American Snow Scorpionfly vs Varied Carpet Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | North American Snow Scorpionfly | Varied Carpet Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Boreus californicus | Anthrenus verbasci |
| Order | Mecoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Boreidae | Dermestidae |
| Size | 3-5 mm | 2-3 mm |
| Habitat | Mountains | Underground |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America | Worldwide |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
North American Snow Scorpionfly
A small dark wingless scorpionfly found in mountainous regions of western North America. It is active during winter months on moss-covered substrates.
Did You Know?
These insects produce antifreeze compounds in their hemolymph that allow them to remain active at subzero temperatures.
Varied Carpet Beetle
A tiny, round beetle with mottled white, brown, and yellow scales on its elytra. It is a worldwide pest of natural fiber collections.
Did You Know?
Museum curators consider it one of the greatest threats to insect specimen collections.