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Posted in Interesting Bugs Worms Facts Worms Generally

Crumbly, Gray Matter from Tray Could be Mold or Just Debris

“I was wondering if you could help to determine what this stuff in the photo is that I found while cleaning a small tray I had on my bureau”, writes Sandra in her submission regarding the gray matter pictured below. “I just turned it over and this stuff came out. The tray is basket weaved and I had no idea the stuff was even there! I don’t know if it is eggs (although I have not seen any bugs) or what it could be but I tried looking for it online without success. I was hoping you could help me out with this and maybe what I should do? Thank you.”

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Posted in Caterpillars Interesting Bugs Worms Found in the House

Moth with Silvery Wings is a Case-bearing clothes moth

“Is this a case-bearing clothes moth?” asks this reader in her submission regarding the silver moth pictured below. “I’m in Georgia. Thank you for your time.” Now, while we are in the business of identifying the worm-like offspring of insects, we are not the best people to ask about adult insects, so we will have to warn our reader that the information and advice we provide may not be the most credible she could find. With that said, we will do our best to identify this organism and help her. With that said, our opinion is that she has already done the bulk of the work for us, because this does indeed look like a case-bearing clothes moth.

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Posted in Interesting Bugs Worms Facts Worms Generally

Winged-bug Found in the Seam of Pants Could be a Fly or Wasp

“What kind of bug is this that I found in the seam of my pants?” asks Shanan in her submission regarding the six-legged, winged bug pictured below. “Thank you for your time.” Right away, we will have to state that since we specialize in identifying worm-like organisms, this is a bit outside of our area of expertise, and for that reason we cannot promise an accurate or confident identification. The best we can do is provide an educated guess. On top of that, the photos she sent in (the best of which we included below) were pretty blurry, which makes it even harder to arrive at an identification.

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Posted in Caterpillars Interesting Bugs Worms Found in the House

Feathery, White Moth is a Common Clothes Moth

“Can you please identify this moth type?” asks Shanan in her submission regarding the white moth with delicate, feathery wings pictured below. “I’m in South Georgia. I found this moth in my bedroom dresser. Thank you for your time.” Typically, we do not identify full-grown insects, but rather their offspring: larvae. That is simply because the nature of our website is to identify worms and worm-like organisms, which larvae are included in. With that said, we will still give this a crack, though Shanan should keep in mind that this identification may not be 100% accurate given that this is not our area of expertise.

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Posted in Interesting Bugs Interesting Worms Worms Generally

Translucent Larvae in Bird Nest Might be Beetle Larvae

“I’m a wildlife carer and currently have two baby noisy miners. Today I found the photographed larvae (?) in their nest”, writes Lee in her submission regarding the translucent creature with dark entrails pictured below. “Was hoping to find out what it is.” For context for our other readers, a noisy miner is a type of bird endemic to Australia. It is very pretty, with grey, white, and yellow markings, and is named after its noisy nature. From the photo alone, we are not sure what these creatures are that Lee found, though we do agree that they are probably larvae of some kind, given their shape and general physical appearance.

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Posted in Interesting Bugs Worms Facts Worms Generally

Stick-like Bug in Bathroom Bites!

“I’ve been stumped after finding this creepy bug in my bathroom”, writes Kristina in her submission regarding the stick-like object pictured below. “I realize this isn’t a worm, more like a walking stick. And they bite! Notice the strange head.” Now, we do not know which end of the organism is the head, as it is not clear just from the picture since the organism does look exactly like a stick. We also do not know which of the two twigs is meant to be the organism, though we would assume it is the thinner one since the bigger one clearly has a splintered end (which would not be possible if it was an organism). If it was not for Kristina telling us that this was a bug, we would not have been able to tell. We will do our best to help Kristina arrive at an identification, but we must say that we will not be able to provide an accurate or confident identification, given that we are not insect experts: we specialize in worms and worm-like critters.

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Posted in Garden Worms Interesting Bugs Pest Worms

Black and Yellow-winged Bug is a Jarvis’ fruit fly

“What is this bug?” is all this reader asks in his submission regarding the black and yellow, winged bug pictured below. We have to admit, we are no experts on insects, despite identifying a lot of insect larvae. Our speciality is worms and worm-like organisms (which includes larvae), but not fully-grown insects. Nonetheless, we will do our best to give some possible identifications of the creature in the photo. From the sleuthing we did, we think this could be a fruit fly or a wasp. Specifically, it looks most like a Bactrocera jarvisi, AKA Jarvis’ fruit fly.

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Posted in Grub Worms Interesting Bugs Worms Found in the House

White, Segmented Worm with Pronged Rear is a Beetle Larva

“What is the specific type of this worm?” writes Imina in her submission regarding the segmented, cream-colored worm pictured below. “It is from my ceiling and drops onto my pillow every night.” To begin with, we have to commend Imina on the excellent photo she took, and thank her for taking a photo next to a rule, which is the best way for us to understand its size. This creature does not even reach one centimeter (approximately 0.4-inches) in length. It has a bulbous brown head and a similarly-colored prong on its rear. Based on its physical characteristics, we have concluded that this is a beetle larva.

Posted in Caterpillars Interesting Bugs Interesting Worms

Insect Larvae the Length of an Eyelash Found on Arms

“While sitting on the couch, I noticed there was something very tiny and dark moving on my arm”, writes Catherine in her submission, which unfortunately does not include a photo. “About the length of an eyelash and not much thicker. I could distinguish a small head and it was moving around like a caterpillar. The more prominent head and movement makes me think of a larva. After hours of internet searching, the closest comparison I found was that it looks like a dark, micro-sized moth larva. After finding the one, I noticed three more on my other arm. That’s when I ran for the shower. I shook my hair over the sink and nothing. I did find a dead one on the shower wall after rinsing myself.

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Posted in Interesting Bugs Worms Facts Worms Generally

Pod-shaped Organisms Could be Goldenrod Gall Fly Larva or Plant Seeds

“What could these be from?” asks Dustry in her submission regarding two, brown, pod-shaped objects, as well as some pus-like, white substance on some wooden baseboards. She does not give us any more context, which makes this identification difficult, as we do not recognize the organisms purely by their appearance. With that said, our sleuthing tells us that the brown objects could be goldenrod gall fly larvae, or seeds from the rough barnyard grass. The white substance looks to us like it could be a sac of eggs, or perhaps a secretion of some kind. We will say right off the bat that we cannot be sure what the white substance is, but that we doubt it is linked to the brown objects.

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Posted in Interesting Bugs Worms Facts Worms Generally

Red-brown Bug Found During Rainy Season is a Footspinner

“Right now here it’s the rainy season and I’ve seen this worm multiple times but I don’t know what it is,” writes this reader in her submission regarding the red-brown bug pictured below. “Is it harmful?” To start with, we have to point out how fantastic this photo is. We can see every minute detail on the creature’s body: its antennae, legs, segmentation, and coloration. Based on this photo, we have concluded that this is a footspinner. Also referred to as webspinners, or by their scientific name, Embioptera, these guys are not worms at all, but insects. They are somewhat unusual, and the one our reader has caught in her photo is a likely female one. The reason we can tell this is because the male footspinner often has wings. Of course, the male footspinners can be wingless too.

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Posted in Interesting Bugs Interesting Worms Marine Worms

Slimy-looking, Pinkish Worm Could be a Rat-tailed Maggot

“I pray you receive some of my emails and can help with identifying these”, writes this reader in his submission regarding the two, distinctly different-looking organisms pictured below. “I have hours of digital footage on a cheap microphone and so many pics. I live in Richmond Hill, Georgia.” Firstly, we have to point out that, from what we can tell by looking at these photos, it looks like they were taken through a microscope. We cannot know that for certain, but when we compare it to other submissions we have received where the photos were taken like that, the similarity is significant. In any case, the photos have a strange quality about them.

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Posted in Caterpillars Interesting Bugs Worms Generally

White Worms on Roller Blinds are Insect Larvae

“Can you identify these larvae or worms?” asks Lisa in her submission regarding the white, worm-like creature pictured below. “They were laid on my roller blinds. I’ve been experiencing bites and I’m trying to find the source. Thank you kindly for your time.” Firstly, we must point out that, due to the picture being somewhat blurry, we will not be able to identify the worm with 100% certainty or accuracy. All we can go on from the picture is the worm’s coloration and general shape: no other identifying information is visible, unfortunately. Secondly, we will also not be able to identify the worm based on the fact that Lisa has been experiencing bites, and any suggestions we make as to the identify of the worm will ignore this piece of context.

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Posted in Drain Fly Larvae Interesting Bugs Worms Found in the House

Drain Fly Larvae Found in Snail Clutch

“I purchased mystery snails and one laid a clutch”, writes Jessica about the black, worm-like critter pictured below, as well as the clear-white objects, also pictured below. “Well, I thought it was hatching last night, and these tiny shell-less, slug-like, tiny, black worms were inside. Only like five of them, but they have antennae and kinda the same ribbed look as the snail’s siphon. They kinda move in an ‘inch worm motion’. Not sure if they prefer water habitats, but they are inside an empty aquarium and seem to be able to survive and swim. Are these the newborn snails? They don’t look like them, because they have no shell.”

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Posted in Grub Worms Interesting Bugs Worms Generally

Green and Black Organisms Likely Connected to Weevils or Leafcutter Bees

“Can you please identify these?” asks Shanan in her submission regarding two, green and black objects, as well as a bug-like organism, all pictured below. “I’ve been living this nightmare for three years now. I just assumed that they were fabric moths and carpet beetles in different stages. I live on an island off the southern tip of Georgia called Saint Simons Island.” At first glance, we can tell Shanan that these are not fabric moths (AKA “clothes moths”) or carpet beetles. We think the green objects could be the product of leafcutter bees, and that the bug is a weevil.

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Posted in Interesting Bugs Worms Facts Worms Generally

Segmented, Dark Green Worm Playing Dead is a Diving Beetle Nymph

“Saw this on my walk with my two doggies in the woods in Hevingham, Norfolk today, and am wondering what kind of creepy crawlie it is”, writes this reader regarding the segmented, dark green creature pictured below. “When I attempted a closer look it appeared to play dead!” Firstly, this is an excellent photo! The lighting is brilliant, and the details are crisp and clear, which makes it all that much easier for us to try and identify the critter. Secondly, we have to acknowledge what a strange-looking creature this is. The segmented body is very caterpillar-like, but the bulbous, bordering-on-giant, head is really odd.

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Posted in Interesting Bugs Worms Found in the House Worms Generally

Shiny, Gray Bugs on Bathroom Floor Could be Beetles or Silverfish

“For the past six months, I have been seeing these tiny worms, or creatures that look like worms, on my bathroom floor”, writes this reader concerning the gray critters pictured below. “They are not near the drain and that is what made me write to you, because I saw previous posts and you mention that these worms hang out near drains. We keep our bathroom clean, and once a month I put bleach down the drain with hot water. But I still see them come not only on the floor, but on the bathtub, sometimes on the window porch, they’re practically everywhere. I live in a house near London. Can you please advise what to do? Many thanks.”

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Posted in Interesting Bugs Worms Facts Worms Found in the House

Blackened Floorboards Causes Concern About Insect Eggs

“Can you help me to identify if there is an issue with my wood floors?” asks Sandra in her submission. “I noticed some time ago that my hardwood floors were starting to get blackened areas but I figured it was due to age as the home is over 200 years old. However they recently seem to be getting dark spots faster than I would expect and now there is more spacing between boards than before. I am also noticing lots of stuff In the spaces although I vacuum more than just regularly! The pictures included are of the floors and the stuff in them which I am really hoping is not some sort of insect egg. Any advice would be appreciated.”

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Posted in Interesting Bugs Parasite Worms Worms Found in the House

Black Mold, Beetles, and White ‘Ear Worms’ Plague This Woman and her Home

“We have black mold and have had beetles, but no bed bugs or anything”, writes this reader in her submission. “But I also found a white worm-like thing in my ear and now this is what my leg looks like. I will send both pictures. Also these little black dots in my wife’s hair.” Our reader sent in multiple photos, two of which we have included below. The first shows the black mold growing in her home, and the second shows her leg, which she reports is a consequence of finding a “white worm-like thing” in her ear. The photos we did not include showed another picture of the mold, and a picture of our reader’s wife’s hair, though the “little black dots” were not visible in the photo.

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Posted in Interesting Bugs Worms Facts Worms Found in the House

Six-legged Bugs Crawling From Behind Furniture are Beetles

“What kind of insect is this and how do I get rid of this?” asks Prashant in his submission regarding the array of bugs and worm-like creatures pictured below. “It’s coming out from a corner of furniture which is fixed (attached) to the wall and has a very small gap between the wall and furniture. This wall is near the bathroom and exposed to sun and rain. We stay on the seventh floor of the apartment building. These are very tiny crawling insects, around 2-3mm in length, with very delicate bodies. Color is mostly pale yellow to brown and the body has stripes. They are coming out at a frequency of 10-15 per hour. It’s been a week since I observed them. Earlier there used to be more quantities of larva-like insects but now it’s mixed with some other insects: black brown insects. The larvae also have a couple of legs (or may be antennae) and crawl at a speed of 1 meter in 5 mins. Sometimes I have observed black, smooth, powder-like substances falling from the wall-side of the furniture, near the same area. I have made sure that there is no food left anywhere near the area. An identification of the insect and a solution is highly appreciated.”