insects from Montana desert
September 21, 2009
These are all from roughly the same location in a high-altitude desert in southern Montana. Someone suggested that the first is an antlion larva, even though it doesn’t look like any antlion pictures I’ve found so far. The second looks almost more like a crustacean than an insect, given the lack of wings and the antenna position. The third looks similar to a damselfly.
Mark
south central montana
Jumping Bristletail
Dear Mark,
Your Solpugid and Robber Fly are well represented on our site, but the creature that you believe looks like a Crustacean is a real mystery. We also believe it looks crustacean-like. Its presence on land makes it doubtful that it is a crustacean. We would lean toward an Arachnid, but it really has us baffled. The clarity of the image is somewhat problematic, as is the texture and tonality of the background which seems to obliterate some of the anatomical details. It also appears like some body parts might be missing. We will post your letter and image in the hopes that one of our readers can provide an answer. Meanwhile, could you provide any additional information regarding the conditions under which it was found and the size?
Eric Eaton identifies Montana Mystery
Hi:
Yes, the “Montana Mystery” is a “jumping bristletail,” order Microcoryphia. They are very, very primitive insects. This specimen is missing most (maybe all) its caudal (tail) filaments.
Eric
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Posted 21 September 2009
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three-pronged tail antennae
August 31, 2009A few of these little guys were crawling around in and on the mailboxes for my apartment complex. I saw one when I opened the mailbox around noon, at which point that one and a couple others scurried away out of the mailboxes through some cracks, onto a wall. At first I thought it was a roach nymph because of the way it moved, but it looks too skinny and has these 3 tail antennae. Thanks!
Nick
Austin, TX
Silverfish
Hi Nick,
You have done an amazingly accurate drawing of a Silverfish considered it scurried away.
Found in my kitchen but not in my bug books
Sat, Mar 7, 2009 at 4:25 PM
I found this guy trapped inside a casserole bowl in my kitchen. It looks something like an earwig, but the pincers in front and what looks like likes wings on the back.
Rich Guthrie
upstate New York – near Albany
Bristletail
Hi Rich,
This is a Bristletail in the order Microcoryphia. It is a primitive insect related to Silverfish. Bristletails are nocturnal and secretive, generally found outdoors, though some species are found in houses. Current taxonomy has Bristletails and Silverfish in distinct orders, but some old texts lump them together.
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Posted 08 March 2009
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Strange Cockroach (?)
Thu, Jan 15, 2009 at 10:41 AM
I keep seeing these bugs in my bathroom which vary greatly in size. they run between being less than a centimeter in size to almost half an inch. They have long antennae coming out of both ends and it seems sort of furry around the head area and are yellow/gold with black/grey spots. It almost seems like an immature kind of beetle. I finally caught one to post a picture, they are unbelievably fast! Sorry the photo isn’t closer or more clear, they move like there’s no tomorrow! Can you please tell me what these creepy bugs infesting my bathroom are!?
Taylor W.
Denver, Co
Silverfish
Hi Taylor,
You have Silverfish, a common household pest. You can find much information online about the difficult to eradicate Silverfish.
identify bug
Wed, Oct 22, 2008 at 1:03 PM
This bug is found sometimes in the bath tubs or the sinks in my house so I assume they are coming from the drain. How can I get rid of them?
Rich
Tubs and Sinks in Bathrooms
Silverfish
Hi Rich,
This is a Silverfish, long considered a household pest. The person who can figure out how to safely discourage them from entering and infesting homes will be an instant millionaire.
Hello! Identification help!
Hi,
I have attached a picture of a bug I have found in my room. Just curious if you know what it is and a little about it? Thank you so much!
Matt
Hi Matt,
The Silverfish is a primitive insect that is generally cosidered a household pest.
please help figure out what this is!
I find this bug in my master bathroom. It’s always crawling on the wall, only one by itself but i’ll see it once or twice a week. Sometimes it’s on the wall of my bedroom. Any idea what it is? Please!!!
Nancy
Hi Nancy,
We have received several requests in recent weeks to identify a Silverfish, but we have not posted a new image of a Silverfish since it was Bug of the Month in March 2007. Silverfish are primitive insects that can become established in homes and become household pests. They are usually found in dark damp areas and they are known to damage books by feeding on the organic glue and sizing in the binding and also do damage to wallpaper. They eat many forms of dry organic matter and will also feed on sugar, flour, breakfast cereals, fabrics and insulating materials.
What is this?
Hi, there,
Recently I can see this kind of bug everyday in my house. First I thought it is a House Centipede. But I found there are not enough legs. Please tell me what it is and how to control them (I killed 2-3 everyday). Thanks and regards
James
Hi James,
This is a Silverfish, a primitive insect. They are considered household pests. They are found in dark, damp areas, often the bathroom and basement. They will eat many things, but are fond of glue that adheres wallpaper to the wall and the glue in book bindings. Your timing was perfect and your photo quite gorgeous, so we are making the Silverfish the featured Bug of the Month for March 2007.
Help identifying a bug
Hi,
I attached a pic of the bug that has been plaguing my room. I found 8 huge ones around and under my bed (about 2″ long), and have found several smaller (0.5″) to bigger (1 – 2″) ones randomly in other parts of my room and in boxes. Could you please help me to identify it, and if so would you know any way to keep them from coming back? Thanks!
Kym
Hi Kym,
This is probably the most beautiful image of a Silverfish we have ever seen. If we could tell you how to eradicate the Silverfish from your home, we would be fabulously wealthy. They are found in dark warm places, and can squeeze through tiny places. They are found inside walls as well. They are generally considered household pests as they will eat starchy substances, including book bindings, fabric and wallpaper glue. They will also eat many food products including sugar, flour and cereals.
silverfish photo
After thoroughly searching your website, it seems I have silverfish in my apartment (although this is the first one I have seen). Just thought you might need another photo to post, as most of the pictures of silverfish seem to be from the top angle. I live in Richland, Wa (south-eastern part of the state), and this silverfish was moving slowly across the carpet, and would repeatedly jump away if I got too close to it. It did not seem to be a fast runner, as my shoe was still able to get the better of it. Thanks for your site, it has been very helpful!
Melanie L.
Hi Melanie,
In addition to the angle, your image shows the silver coloration nicely.
unknown bug sitting on walls
Dear Bugman,
I’m glad that i found your website, i live in Spijkenisse, The Netherlands and i keep on finding this bug in my house, always sitting on walls, or running around in the bathroom. For a couple of years now they seemed to be there. A few years ago they where only half the size and only apeared in the toilet and bathroom, always on concrete walls or floor. Now they also appear in my bedroom. I’ve tried to catch one but they are very fast. What i like to know is what this little bug is, can you help me?
Kind Regards
Nick Dutrieux
Hi Nick,
Silverfish are common household pests that are generally found in cool, damp, dark places, like the bathroom and under the sink. They have a reputation for ruining books by eating the glue in the binding.
Squirmies
Hi. I live in Michigan and was curious about this bug. I see them in the bathroom sometimes along the crack between the floor and the wall, they are very fast and hard to photograph,(I had this one trapped for about a week hoping he would die so I could get a picture). He is still alive although he did change from brown to a very light color and is about 2.5 cm long. Not as interesting as some of the other bugs you feature but I wonder what this one is and if he changes into something else. Thanks,
Melissa
Hi Melissa,
You have Silverfish, primitive insects and common household pests that are usually found in dark damp areas.
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