Adult body is oval, gray to black, with a varied pattern of white and orange-red scales on the dorsal surface. Larvae are oval shaped, with long setae at the margins and a tuft of long setae at the posterior end.
Development. Eggs are laid singly or in batches of up to 36. Hatching occurs in 13 to 20 days. The larval development period is through about 6 instars and takes 60 to 80 days. Development from egg to adult ranges from 89 to 108 days.
Habits. Larvae feed on various animal materials, including wool, feathers, hair, and fur, and museum specimens.