rss Scorpion Tick?
Location: Mt. Bethel, PA
November 10, 2010 7:16 pm
My daughter found this odd looking tick-like bug in the bathroom.
Signature: Chris
Pseudoscorpion
Hi Chris,
Though your photograph is little more than a silhouette, the outline of the harmless Pseudoscorpion is unmistakable. Pseudoscorpions are frequently mistaken for ticks. Pseudoscorpions are also frequently found inside homes where they prey upon unwanted visitors. They possess no venom so they are perfectly harmless.
pseudoscorprion vs dipteran
June 22, 2010
I discovered these two guys going at on my bathroom counter while brushing my teeth. The fly kept taking off with the psuedoscorpion attached, but not getting very far and landing back on the counter. They did this a few times and every time they landed I took another photo. I never witnessed the endgame. My money’s on the fly ultimately escaping with 5 legs.
Tony
Greenwood IN
Phoresy with Pseudoscorpion and Fly
Hi Tony,
The first time we received an image of a Pseudoscorpion attached to the antennae of a Cerambycid Beetle, we were in awe at the ambitiousness of the tiny Pseudoscorpion’s hunting prowess, but Eric Eaton informed us that this was Phoresy in action. Since then, we have received numerous Phoresy images. Some creatures like Pseudoscorpions and Mites use other insects, especially winged ones, for transportation purposes. We believe that is what is going on in this series of photos. We will try to get an ID on your fly.
Phoresy: Pseudoscorpion attempts to fly with Fly
Pseudo-scorpion?
June 11, 2010
I found this bug under my husband’s work shirt in the laundry room. At first I thought it was a tiny spider. After I saw the claws, I thought it was some type of tick. I think it’s a pseudo-scorpion. My question is, are there more? Do you think it could have carried itself in on my husbands shirt or do you think there could be a family living nearby?
Thanks for any info you can provide.
Kathy
Northeastern Ohio, June 10, 2010
Pseudoscorpion
Hi Kathy,
Pseudoscorpions are not social creatures. They are solitary hunters, but we would wager this Pseudoscorpion has siblings somewhere.
Pseudoscorpion
Odd looking bug with odd pinchers
April 24, 2010
I found this bug earlier this evening in our bedroom (kinda scary) but I have never seen anything like this before. The body size is about 3mm. Each extended arm has 2 pinchers on it. When it’s in defense, it backs up really fast and tucks pinchers in. Can you help me out? Thank you!!
SLJ
South Dakota
Pseudoscorpion
Dear SLJ,
Your diminutive visitor is a harmless Pseudoscorpion. They are often found in homes around the world where they will help rid the domicile from unwanted insects.
UBER-TINY tick/scorpion/spider-ish bug
April 7, 2010
When my husband called me into the shower, this isn’t what I expected. This little guy hiding in the corner just looked like a spider at first but he (she?) definitely has claws/pincers. His body is extremely flat like a tick and he is various shades of brown. Sorry the photos aren’t very clear, I don’t have a good close-up camera. Between the focus and the flash, I hope you can see enough to identify this awesome little bug!
Cooper
Central, PA
Pseudoscorpion
Dear Cooper,
We can’t imagine any other reason your husband would call you to the shower but to point out the Pseudoscorpion he found there. Pseudoscorpions are harmless predators that, despite their diminutive size, are capable of killing larger prey. Unlike either scorpions or spider which they resemble, Pseudoscorpions have no venom.
Pseudoscorpion
Thanks for the quick reply and ID, I never thought to look him up under “P” for pseudo! I use your website all the time, keep it up!
Cooper
What the heck is this?
January 29, 2010
This bug was floating in my water cup, I almost drank him. I thought it was a “crab” spider, then he unfurled two long front limbs with claws that resemble those of a scorpion. I’ve never seen anything like this around here. Also strange: it’s the dead of winter (January), temperatures are almost down to the teens outside, so I’d have thought most everything is hibernating or dead. Please tell me what this is! I have him in captivity, he’s alive.
Thank you, David Obal
Central NJ
Pseudoscorpion
HI David,
Pseudoscorpions, like the one in your photos, are perfectly harmless because they don’t have venom. Pseudoscorpions are often found inside the home where they will prey upon small insects.
Bug in the Bunk Bed
January 23, 2010
My parents have a 20 yr old oak bunk bed which seems to be hosting a weird bug. I had first found it on the wall next to the bed then we moved the bed into a different room and I found another one a month later on the bed sheet. After each find, I cleaned like crazy…and yes another month or so later I found this one…What is it??? I took the bed out of storage in a barn four years ago. I think I remember seeing one then too but dismissed it. But now, it’s driving me crazy and well I don’t want my kids to be sleeping in the cool bed their grandparents set up for them when they stay there in the summer…can you help?
Kind Regards
Western Massachusetts, country home
Pseudoscorpion
This is a harmless Pseudoscorpion, a predator that will help keep unwanted insects from your home without presenting any threat to humans or pets, unless your pets are cockroaches or houseflies.
Thank you very much for taking the time to reply.
I’m am honestly amazed for both the speedy response and the actual bug itself.
Thank you again.
Emily
Does my house have crabs?
January 19, 2010
Please tell me what this thing is….does my house have a case of the crabs? The bug is in my home year round and is mostly found on the walls in my den. The picture has 1 as big as I’ve ever seen them. They are present in the summer and in the winter.
Mr. Madcow
Maine
Pseudoscorpion
Dear Mr. Madcow,
This is a Pseudoscorpion, a harmless predator that will help rid your home of unwanted insect visitors.
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