Fuscus Carpet Beetle Anthrenus fuscus

This white-shouldered Carpet Beetle is related to the more common domestic Variegated Carpet Beetle. It is also tiny: about 3mm long (not much bigger than the width of the wasp's head above). It lives outside but flies inside to lay its eggs. It is prevalent throughout Europe and North America.

Like other carpet beetles, its larva is a domestic pest eating any dry natural fibres. Its job is to recycle debris. This unfortunate beetle is caught in a spider's web and the website owner has just delivered a toxic bite and left its lunch to die.