Insect Identification
May 4, 2012 8:32 AM Subscribe
Please help identify this bug: album
I found this crawling on me this morning. I live in a rural area, so bugs are always around. I'm worried, however, that this might be something that bites me.
I currently have it covered in a glass, and can take more pictures if requested. I have yet to kill it, but I'm tempted to see whether there is blood inside. I'm an anxious person, and I'm very afraid of bedbugs.
I couldn't take a good side/profile picture, but it's about 1.5-2mm thick, in my estimation.
I found this crawling on me this morning. I live in a rural area, so bugs are always around. I'm worried, however, that this might be something that bites me.
I currently have it covered in a glass, and can take more pictures if requested. I have yet to kill it, but I'm tempted to see whether there is blood inside. I'm an anxious person, and I'm very afraid of bedbugs.
I couldn't take a good side/profile picture, but it's about 1.5-2mm thick, in my estimation.
It's not a bedbug - no characteristic striations, no pointed end, head is completely wrong.
I am not sure exactly what it is, but it looks like a small beetle. Beetles generally do not have the mouthparts to bite.
Perhaps someone else can identify it exactly.
posted by Frowner at 8:40 AM on May 4, 2012
I am not sure exactly what it is, but it looks like a small beetle. Beetles generally do not have the mouthparts to bite.
Perhaps someone else can identify it exactly.
posted by Frowner at 8:40 AM on May 4, 2012
(also casting my lot with carpet beetle, btw)...ah, but which one? In any case, here is some information on their lifecycle and how to control them.
posted by jquinby at 8:48 AM on May 4, 2012
posted by jquinby at 8:48 AM on May 4, 2012
Annoying little carpet beetle, likely one of many. A big clean generally knocks them out.
posted by batmonkey at 8:54 AM on May 4, 2012
posted by batmonkey at 8:54 AM on May 4, 2012
A single carpet beetle isn't cause for alarm. They spend much of their life outdoors, and it's quite possible that this one has just flown into your home. I often find them on our windowsills, because we have housemartins nesting above some of our windows, and the beetle larvae are often born in birds nests.
If you find a number of the furry little larvae amongst stored clothes, or on carpets, or notice that there are a lot of the beetles in parts of your home, it might be a good time to consider replacing any old natural-fibre carpets or upholstery. Other than that, don't worry about them.
posted by pipeski at 10:12 AM on May 4, 2012
If you find a number of the furry little larvae amongst stored clothes, or on carpets, or notice that there are a lot of the beetles in parts of your home, it might be a good time to consider replacing any old natural-fibre carpets or upholstery. Other than that, don't worry about them.
posted by pipeski at 10:12 AM on May 4, 2012
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posted by pipeski at 8:38 AM on May 4, 2012