:''This article is about the beetle, but the hairy
caterpillars of the
Arctiidae family of
moths are also known as '
woolly bear caterpillars''
'Woolly bears' are the
larval form of the
varied carpet beetle. The larvae are distinguishable by their brown, yellow and black bands and hairy bodies. They feed on vegetable matter (outdoors) and natural fibres (indoors). They can be a serious household pest, damaging clothes, furniture and carpets. They may come into houses from infested birds nests or in carpets, furniture or clothing from an infested home or store.