What Bug Is This? | Identification Guide & Drawing Included

  • Thread starter Thread starter Hurkyl
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Bug
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the identification of a bug observed in a bathroom, with participants sharing their insights and experiences related to earwigs and other similar insects. The scope includes identification, characteristics, and anecdotal experiences with these insects.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a bug they encountered, noting its blackish color, size, and distinctive tail end.
  • Another participant identifies the bug as an earwig, providing a link to images for reference.
  • Discussion includes the earwig's wing structure and its resilience against attempts to squash it.
  • A participant mentions a discrepancy in color and shape when comparing their observation to typical images of earwigs.
  • One participant shares the etymology of the term "earwig," referencing historical beliefs about the insect.
  • Another participant expresses skepticism about the size of earwigs, noting they have not seen one as long as 2 cm.
  • Suggestions for killing the bug include using scissors or a grinding motion, though some participants express humor about practicality.
  • A later reply introduces a different insect, a silverfish, which the participant believes resembles the bug but differs in characteristics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the bug in question resembles an earwig, but there are differing opinions on its size and color. Additionally, one participant introduces the possibility of it being a silverfish, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved regarding the exact identification.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various characteristics of earwigs and silverfish, but there are limitations in the descriptions provided, such as reliance on visual identification and anecdotal experiences. The discussion does not resolve the identification of the bug definitively.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in entomology, pest identification, or those encountering similar insects in their homes may find this discussion relevant.

Hurkyl
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Gold Member
Messages
14,922
Reaction score
28
(I hope my ASCII drawing is passable)

What bug is this? I just saw one in my bathroom. I tried squashing it, but it wound up being pretty resiliant (though, admittedly, all I had handy to squash it with was a dirty towel)

It wasn't moving around at all, except for its two antannae out front. It was a blackish color (maybe a little brown), maybe about 2 centimeters long and thin. The most distinctive feature was its tail end, which I think turns out well in my drawing.

Code: 
 --\          /--
    \        /
     \      /
      \    /
       ****
      ******
      ******
  --  ******  --
    --******--
      ******
      ******
  ----******----
      ******
      ******
    --******--
  --  ******  --
      ******
      ******
      ******
     **    **
    **      **
    **      **
     **    **
 
Biology news on Phys.org
The earwig has relatively large, folded wings normally protected and invisible. (I don't think anyone has ever seen the earwig fly, actually)

The most probable use for its pincer would be to help folding together its wings.
 
Ah, ok. I had found a picture of an earwig (wikipedia's page), but it was the wrong color and the tail was wrongly shaped... but those pictures look more like what I saw.
 
The etymology of its name is intriguing..

Earwig is derived from Old English éare, "ear", and wicga, "insect", "from the idea that it penetrates into the head through the ear. (presumably using its formidable pincers) and laying its eggs in the brain.

reference01
reference02

This is from an old European belief but the notion still persists throughout the world today.

I found a number of them recently around moist areas outside my camping tent. As a child, I recall finding them under logs and stones (again moist environments..
 
Last edited:
It's earwig shaped, but I've ne'er seen one 2cm long... although thinking about it, I guess they grow to close that.
And they really are resilient, not just against towels but boots and car tyres. If you use a grinding motion instead of a pressing motion, though, you can kill 'em.
 
Just snap'em in two with a pair of scissors. That'll do.
 
Yes, I always carry around a pair of scissors in my back pocket. :rolleyes:
 
Tyris said:
Yes, I always carry around a pair of scissors in my back pocket. :rolleyes:
You should be careful not to sit on them
 
  • #10
i saw something that looked like this yesterday, but it wasn't an earwig - its length was about 2cm, silverish gray color, no wings, and it's thinner then the earwig... the scissors at the end have the same width as the body...
i thought it was a silverfish, but the tail of the silverfish doesn;t have the right shape...
 

Similar threads

What colors and attributes could alien flora & fauna have?
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
6K
Philip Johnson's Darwin on Trial
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K