It is called a pseudoscorpion. It can sometimes be found in the house, but is not a parasite, so no worries, it does not bite nor sting. It just happened to come into the house from outside. It can look a bit like a tick because of its two front legs that are held in front of it, but contrary to the tick, this pseudoscorpion has two claws, like a lobster. Also, contrary to the tick, this pseudoscorpion has these horizontal lines on its body.
I think the morphology is consistent with a pseudoscorpion, based on the segmented abdomen, presence of pincer-like palps and the absence of tail or stinger. However, I am unsure of how to further classify it... After doing some research I found that pseudoscorpions do not transmit disease and are harmless to humans, so control measures such as pesticides are not recommended; some even consider them beneficial since they feed on other small arthropods such as booklice and flies! Great illustration/animation skills from Old One and son! Santiago
No Parasite Found, environmental pseudoscorpion.
ReplyDelete- Mark Fox
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteEight legs, rounded abdomen, no sting. Pseudoscorpion, NO parasite
ReplyDeleteAh, a scorpion with no tail nor venomous stinger.
ReplyDeleteNo worry, Old One means no harm!!!
Great creativity.
Florida Fan
It is called a pseudoscorpion. It can sometimes be found in the house, but is not a parasite, so no worries, it does not bite nor sting. It just happened to come into the house from outside. It can look a bit like a tick because of its two front legs that are held in front of it, but contrary to the tick, this pseudoscorpion has two claws, like a lobster. Also, contrary to the tick, this pseudoscorpion has these horizontal lines on its body.
ReplyDeleteI think the morphology is consistent with a pseudoscorpion, based on the segmented abdomen, presence of pincer-like palps and the absence of tail or stinger. However, I am unsure of how to further classify it... After doing some research I found that pseudoscorpions do not transmit disease and are harmless to humans, so control measures such as pesticides are not recommended; some even consider them beneficial since they feed on other small arthropods such as booklice and flies! Great illustration/animation skills from Old One and son!
ReplyDeleteSantiago
Here is another little mystery for Dr. Fox.
ReplyDeleteYou were a guest lecturer at the 1994 summer session in St. Albans.
We met again at the Ostertagia Workshop in Maryland.
ReplyDeleteI gotta bookmark this website it seems extremely helpful very useful. Thanks for sharing.