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Photo#353876
Please Help Me Identify Bug in Oklahoma - Euborellia - female

Please Help Me Identify Bug in Oklahoma - Euborellia - Female
Jenks, Oklahoma, USA
November 21, 2009
Size: 1/2" - 1"
I just want to know what this is. I just moved here a month ago and have found three or four in my kitchen. I want to know what it is so I can find the best way to get rid of it. It was small and fast (out of the corner of my eye I thought it was a silver fish). But when I looked at it closer it was dark, had little feet towards the top of it's body, and a forked tail.

Moved
Moved from Earwigs.

Moved
Moved from ID Request.

A harmless Earwig
You can read about them here at the Dermaptera page. They are harmless, nocturnal herbivores. And as you will read on the link I included, they are often moved around by humans when they move (packing boxes/shipping things, etc), but of course they could have already been in your new place. I don't think they are a common house bug...they prefer the outdoors so I wouldn't worry about them multiplying indoors or anything. Even if you somehow get rid of them, another one will occasionally accidentally wonder indoors once again. Hope this helps. :)

 
Harmless, yes...
but definitely not a straight herbivore. Most are omnivores, but some species hardly eat any plant matter at all. They've been shown to be very important in controlling small soil insects.

As to ID, the total lack of wings, the shape of the cerci, and the pale segment near the end of the antenna together point to Euborellia. With only 8 abdominal segments she has to be a female, no doubt an adult.

 
Thanks! :)
Thank you for the additional info! I haven't seen another one yet and hope I don't. I can't even look at the photo I took, it creeps me out. Way too up close and personal for me! LOL!

 
If you think that's creepy...
...check out this fury little friend!

I love to get my sister with that one. Lol! It's currently my desktop photo, and I love spiders, but this photo still sometimes makes me jump when it pops up. Hehe!

PS- you can click it to enlarge. LOL!

 
Sorry 'bout that
I need to keep in mind that if it's not a spider, I don't know it. Lol! I am happy to be corrected when I err...and I'm glad I was. Now I know. :) Muchas gracias, Chuck.

 
Thank you so much for your in
Thank you so much for your information and quick reply. Good to know it's harmless! :)