I saw an insect that moves like a centipede except it did not have a lot of legs, more like a worm but fast like a centipede, it's black, about 1/2 inch to an inch long. It had to long projectile things at it's end. It looked slimy.
Never seen anything like it before, want to know what it is and if it's dangerous, I have 4 small children.
2006-07-09 11:35:01 · 6 answers · asked by xxxx 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
it did not look to have legs, if it did they were well hidden underneath. it moved in a snakelike motion. It's the 2 long things sticking out of its end that looked freaky.
2006-07-09 11:42:13 · update #1
that's exactly what it is an earwig. Oh my gosh it was to freaky to even look at it online. Thanks your 10 pts will be there tomorrow.
2006-07-09 11:46:15 · update #2
It could be an earwig you are discribing. (Google image and see if it is)
Earwigs come from wood decay. Since America seems to be mulch crazy-- the earwigs are happily in control.
They run away from people but I'm told they have a bite to them if you try to hold them. Please verify though.
2006-07-09 11:41:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Eawigs are quite common in North America, They sometimes enter homes as well. They are detritivores, meaning they will eat all sorts of decaying organic matter, like rotting wood, compost and plant/animal remains. They pose no direct threat to people. The name is derived from the common myth that they will enter the human ear to deposite thier eggs, this is of course completely false. They can deliver a slight pinch with their "pincers" the real term being cerci. There are no toxic forms of earwig anywhere in the world, so dont worry, everyone in the house is safe. They do sell various powdered insectcides that are also completely harmless to people, these can be found at any harware store, it will help keep them outside, just follow the application instructions on the bottle. I hope that helps...Im not trying to steal any points, Im simply giving you the opinion of a trained entomologist. Cheers!
2006-07-09 20:21:20 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you're describing either a bristletail or a silverfish, both pretty ancient insects that are harmless. Either that or a millipede, but you can tell a millipede because they have lots of legs.
2006-07-10 02:10:57 · answer #3 · answered by fidowithaspot 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like maybe a millipede of some sort, alot of them have their legs tucked underneath and you wont see them unless its turned over. Do a search on myriapods for your area and maybe it will show up.
2006-07-09 18:48:24 · answer #4 · answered by Kev 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was a caterpillar, a larvae to butterfly. If not molested they are safe, only real danger is when they are hairy, this is not the case. Hairy ones are stingy.
2006-07-09 18:41:43 · answer #5 · answered by pogonoforo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did it have ANY legs?
I can guarantee you it's not deadly. I know what animals are deadly; there's a lot more that aren't.
2006-07-09 18:40:17 · answer #6 · answered by Roadpizza 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋