buffalo carpet beetle
- noun
- /ˈbʌf.ə.loʊ ˈkɑːr.pɪt ˈbiː.təl/
- US
:
escarabajo de la alfombra búfalo
- The buffalo carpet beetle can be identified by its black, red, and white markings and is a common pest in many households.
Examples
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The buffalo carpet beetle can cause serious damage to wool rugs and clothing.
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I discovered a buffalo carpet beetle in my closet.
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Pest control recommended treating the house to get rid of buffalo carpet beetles.
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We found a buffalo carpet beetle infestation in the attic last spring.
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The buffalo carpet beetle is often found in homes.
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We had to call an exterminator after discovering a large number of buffalo carpet beetles damaging our carpets.
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To protect your fabrics, it is important to regularly check for buffalo carpet beetles in your home.
Synonyms
1
4.8
A small insect whose young eat wool, fur and other animal materials
A small beetle with black, red, and white markings that eats natural fibres like wool and silk
A small insect whose young eat wool carpets and clothes
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound is largely compositional: a B1 learner who knows 'carpet' and 'beetle' can infer it refers to a kind of beetle associated with carpets (i.e., an insect that feeds on fabrics). However, the role of 'buffalo' is a specific species/descriptive modifier (likely referring to appearance or a taxonomic name) that is not predictable from the word alone, so the full, specific sense is not completely derivable.
Etymology
Buffalo carpet beetle may come from the city 'Buffalo', where early collectors found it, or from the beetle's small, round, furry look that reminded people of a tiny buffalo. That's why the name points to a small beetle that eats carpet and other fabrics.