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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Arachnids (Arachnida) » Pseudoscorpions (Pseudoscorpiones)
Photo#324758
Small insect - top view
Copyright © 2009 Ayelie

Small insect - top view
Carp (just west of Ottawa), Ontario, Canada
August 24, 2009
Size: Approx. 2 1/2 mm?
I found this insect after I brushed the back of my knee and it fell off. It was about 3am, and the last time I was outside was when walking the dog 8 hours previously; but I can't imagine it managed to stay on the back of my knee through all that time and the changing of clothing.

Unfortunately most of its legs are missing, I imagine from my hand brushing it off. It's also extremely flat- the body is almost paper-thin, but I'm not sure if that's normal or if it got squished.

Images of this individual: tag all
Small insect - top view Small insect - bottom view
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Contributed by Ayelie on 25 August, 2009 - 5:26am
Last updated 4 September, 2009 - 8:59pm

Moved
Moved from ID Request.
… v belov, 4 September, 2009 - 8:59pm login or register to post comments

Nice images.
These are pretty remarkable images, knowing how small these are. This is a "pseudoscorpion," an arachnid well known for hitching rides on insects, so your story is not at all far-fetched. Probably clamped onto a body hair or something. Normally, they live under bark on trees, or in soil, leaf litter, or in caves. At least some have venom glands in their claws (pedipalps), but they are so tiny they can't even pierce human skin. All have silk glands in their jaws. They prey on other tiny invertebrates.
… Eric R. Eaton, 25 August, 2009 - 8:29am login or register to post comments

 
Chelifer cancroides ?
Thanks for letting me know what order these guys belong to! Looking around the best bet seems to be chelifer cancroides, which likes dusty books and chomps on dust mites and booklice. It makes sense - my room is full of electrical equipment and it gathers a ton of dust. I'm sorry I (accidentally) killed it now that I know how useful they are.

The picture is actually not as good as it could be - it was taken at 3am with a lamp for lighting and a candle for a backdrop! I wish the poor guy's legs hadn't fallen off, this could have been a great specimen to do some really nice macro shots of. Maybe I'll find another one while dusting ;)
… Ayelie, 25 August, 2009 - 9:54am login or register to post comments

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