small bug infestation
Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
January 18, 2011 8:55 pm
Over the last 2 months, we’v e been finding these little critters dead on our floors. Looks like they’re getting in via cracks under door, or through flyscreens, etc.
We’ve never seen a living one – they’re always dead (we get the house sprayed every year) – but we can find up to a hundred dead on the floor every few days. (more close to a door, thinning out futher into a room). They are up to a centimetre in length. What are they ??
Hope you can shed some light.
Cheers,
Andrew.
Signature: Curious.

Lawn Shrimp

Dear Andrew,
These are known Lawn Shrimp or Househoppers, Arcitalitrus sylvaticus, a terrestrial Amphipod that is native to Australia.  They are not usually noticed until they enter homes in large numbers and promptly die.  According to BugGuide, the natural habitat is:  “Moist soil and organic matter within 13 mm of the surface, often among ivy or other ground covers, mostly eucalyptus. Their exoskelton has no waxy coating to keep moisture in, so they can’t survive dryness. They drown in water, though, so they need continuously moist, but not waterlogged conditions.“  The torrential rains and flooding in Australia we are reading about is causing the Lawn Shrimp to flee the landscaping around your home.  They are just coming in out of the rain.  BugGuide explains:  “These are rarely seen except when flooding or lack of moisture forces them to abandon their home in the soil in search for suitable conditions. At such times they often end up dieing on pavement or in homes and become a nuisance. Once they start appearing, there’s not much that can be done except to sweep them up- pesticides are pointless, bcause by then they’re already dieing or dead.  The best solution is to keep the numbers down the rest of the year by keeping the soil from staying too moist- in California, especially, they’re a sign of overwatering. Physical barriers like weather-stripping can also help to keep them out of homes, but their bodies are flat and narrow, allowing them to slip through surprisingly narrow cracks.“  Interestingly, we found more written about Lawn Shrimp on North American websites than on Australian websites.  You can read more about them on the Museum Victoria website where they are called Land Hoppers.

Lawn Shrimp

wow – thats fantastic. Thanks very much for tracking that down.
Now that I know what they are, it all makes sense and I know what we’ll need to do to help reduce their numbers.
Much appreciated, and many thanks Daniel.
cheers,
Andrew.

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Client Thinks this is a large flea
Location: San Jose, California, USA
December 29, 2010 4:36 pm
HI and thanks for your help. I work at a veterinary clinic and a client e-mailed us this picture thinking it might be a giant flea. We know it is not a flea, however can you help us identify what it is? We are in San Jose, California. This was found in the house half dead on 12/28/2010.
Signature: Samantha, Front-office manager

Lawn Shrimp

Hi Samantha,
This is a Lawn Shrimp or House Hopper, an Australian terrestrial Amphipod that has been introduced to California.  They thrive in cultivated gardens that are well watered, however, when there are flooding rains, which California has experienced in recent weeks, they often seek shelter indoors where they promptly die of dessication.  They will not harm pets or furnishings, but when the die indoors in large numbers, they are a real nuisance.

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What’s this bug?
Location: Sydney, Australia
December 23, 2010 10:20 am
Hi there,
I live in Sydney, Australia. We’ve been getting these bugs under our sofa but have never seen a live one. Usually notice them on the tiles in the morning. They’re about 5-10mm in length.
Any ideas?
Signature: Laura

Lawn Shrimp

Hi Laura,
This is a Lawn Shrimp or House Hopper, a terrestrial Amphipod that often enters homes after a heavy rain.  Your letter is of especial interest to us as Australia is the native habitat of the Lawn Shrimp.  The species has been introduced to other regions including southern California and in the past week, because of the heavy rains in the area, we have been inundated with identification requests from California where the species is considered to be an introduced annoyance.

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Bug identification please
Location: Berkeley, CA
December 19, 2010 8:36 pm
Found these in our finished basement, which is connected by a doorway to an unfinished basement. The dog also goes in there, so stuff from outdoors tends to get dragged in more than in the rest of the house. Area is generally cool, somewhat high humidity. Photos are the same positions, just lit differently. THANKS!
Signature: Earthman

Lawn Shrimp

Dear Earthman,
We suspect that with Southern California experiencing the worst storm in the decade, with predictions being in excess of 8 inches of rainfall in less than a week, your letter will be the first of many requesting the identification of Lawn Shrimp, Arcitalitrus sylvaticus, though we also predict that your photo will be among the best we receive.  Lawn Shrimp are terrestrial amphipods that proliferate in the damp conditions of well watered gardens, however, when soaking rains arrive, they often seek shelter indoors where they promptly die and turn pink.  According to BugGuide, they are found in : “Moist soil and organic matter within 13 mm of the surface, often among ivy or other groun covers. Their exoskelton has no waxy coating to keep moisture in, so they can’t survive dryness. They drown in water, though, so they need continuously moist, but not waterlogged conditions.”   BugGuide also remarks:  “These are rarely seen except when flooding or lack of moisture forces them to abandon their home in the soil in search for suitable conditions. At such times they often end up dieing on pavement or in homes and become a nuisance. Once they start appearing, there’s not much that can be done except to sweep them up- pesticides are pointless, bcause by then they’re already dieing or dead.  The best solution is to keep the numbers down the rest of the year by keeping the soil from staying too moist- in California, especially, they’re a sign of overwatering. Physical barriers like weather-stripping can also help to keep them out of homes, but their bodies are flat and narrow, allowing them to slip through surprisingly narrow cracks.“  Lawn Shrimp, which are also known as Househoppers, are not native to California.  They were introduced from Australia.

Hey, thanks so much for the help. Very informative, and your expert reply is much appreciated. You’re doing a public service. THANKS!

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