Do you know this insect?

June 14, 2006 5:02 PM

What is this?

Found in Boston on my trash can. Six legs, which I presume makes it an insect. No apparent antennae , although there may be two very small, short ones pointing downward on each side of its head or those may be a small set of ant-ish mandibles. It's so tiny it's hard to tell.

posted by MasonDixon to Science & Nature (10 answers total)

Best answer: It looks a little bit like ladybug larvae.
posted by lekvar at 5:15 PM on June 14, 2006

Or exactly like that ladybug larvae image. Nice work!
posted by monkey!knife!fight! at 5:17 PM on June 14, 2006

Wow, they really go through a transformation, because that thing is ugly.
posted by fire&wings at 5:22 PM on June 14, 2006

I don't think it is ugly. It does create a stomp reflex in me though whereas a ladybug doesn't. Too crunchy.
posted by Hypharse at 7:10 PM on June 14, 2006

How can you think they're ugly? They have cute little accordion butts!
posted by lekvar at 7:27 PM on June 14, 2006 [2 favorites]

Cool! It's a missybug!
posted by theperfectcrime at 7:46 PM on June 14, 2006

far out. I found one of these in my car yesterday. I found it cute and was pleased that it did not bite.
posted by mwhybark at 10:43 PM on June 14, 2006

I remember a substitute science teacher that would refer to them as "baby alligators." It'll eventually tack itself to a surface (wall, leaf) and conclude its transformation.
posted by evil holiday magic at 11:27 PM on June 14, 2006

Who ever would have thought there could be anything subtle about 'accordions'?!

Who stole the keishka?
posted by Goofyy at 5:24 AM on June 15, 2006

Here is a neat little page I found about the ladybug larvae.

Backyard Nature
posted by cbushko at 5:43 PM on June 15, 2006