CLOSED: This bugger somehow ended up on my shoulder!

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bankie Boston, MA Nov 05, 2008

So I was just sitting here at my comp and I felt a tingle on my shoulder.. swatted it and look who lands on the floor! eesh... what the heck is this thing?? It couldnt have been more than 1cm long..

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trackinsand mid central, FL(Zone 9a) Nov 05, 2008

at first i thought earwig but i think it might be a firebrat.

http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=firebrat&btnG=Search+Images&gbv=2

This message was edited Nov 4, 2008 11:14 PM

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bankie Boston, MA Nov 05, 2008

oh, and if it helps at all, i live in boston, mass. i live in an apartment building.. brick exterior, hardwood floors.. i keep the place pretty clean although i had a halloween party last weekend so there was a lot of empty beer cans chilling for a day or so.

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claypa West Pottsgrove, PA(Zone 6b) Nov 05, 2008

Is it still around? It might help if you can get a picture of it on a piece of paper, a white background or something like that. Thanks

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suunto Sinks Grove, WV Nov 05, 2008

This is a bristletail (order Thysanura), a group that includes silverfish and firebrats - see http://www.ento.psu.edu/Extension/factsheets/bristletails.htm. It looks a bit odd, as it has lost most of its appendages as well as its scales. Although nuisance pests, they are harmless to humans.

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JuneyBug Dover AFB, DE(Zone 7a) Nov 05, 2008

These could be a sign of a leak above your desk. They like wet wood. I found some in my tub the week before the ceiling fell in.

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trackinsand mid central, FL(Zone 9a) Nov 05, 2008

they also eat books, paper, glue, etc.

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Enmos Lelystad, Netherlands Nov 08, 2008

It looks like Thermobia domestica or a close relative. Looks very similar, the size fits (1 - 1.5 cm) as well the six 'protrusions' (three on each side).

http://www.insectphotos.net/orders/thysanura/images/firebrat1b.jpg

This message was edited Nov 8, 2008 5:58 PM

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Enmos Lelystad, Netherlands Nov 08, 2008

It has all it's appendages btw..
I 'enhanced' the picture a bit so it's more clearly visible.
There is more tail to the right but it's blurry from movement and/or dof.

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