Anthrenocerus australis
In 3 days ~10% in a week ~20%
Anthrenocerus australis, commonly known as the Australian carpet beetle, is a species of beetle belonging to the Dermestidae family. It is one of the most researched of the thirty-one species in the genus Anthrenocerus. This is generally attributed to its prevalence throughout Australia and New Zealand and the negative economic and agricultural impact it has as a pest. It is the larvae that causes damage to products, not the adult beetle. The total life cycle of this insect is around three years, most of which is spent as a larva. Once the beetle reaches maturity, it only lives for between two and six weeks.
The adult A. australis is a dark brown and black oval beetle, which grows to be around 2.2-2.5mm long. At the front of the head are two small eyes and a pair of antennae. Below are six outward facing legs and a mouth. The back of the beetle's body has a hardened shell to provide protection for the delicate wings which retract beneath when the beetle is not in flight. When disturbed or threatened the beetle will freeze up and fold their legs into their body.
The A. australis larvae are hairy and stretched to form an eruciform (caterpillar-like) shape. They... Wikipedia →
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More parks will be added in future updates.
Rare
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report an Australian Carpet Beetle sighting in Auckland on a given day, based on 5 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 618th most-seen of the 689 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 10%, and over a week to about 20%, if each day is a fresh chance.
December
In that month about 10% of wildlife watchers report an Australian Carpet Beetle in Auckland on a given day, against under 5% in January to November, the lowest months.
Among the best
Of the 3 cities where we can rate Australian Carpet Beetle sightings, Auckland ranks 3rd at under 5%, level with the leaders once rounded. The best odds are in Paris (France, under 5%) and Berlin (Germany, under 5%).
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Australian Carpet Beetle is recorded against all the insects logged in Auckland (5 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
