Lawn Shrimp emerge with the rains

December 7, 2014, 8:34 am

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Subject: Dead bugs outside door?

Location: Huntington Beach, ca
December 7, 2014 8:56 am
We woke up today with a bunch of small brown bugs with pincars. Just by back door outside all dead. Can you let me know if they are something we should be concerned about?
Signature: Liz

Lawn Shrimp

Dear Liz,
The presence of Lawn Shrimp, Arcitalitrus sylvaticus, in the landscaping generally goes unnoticed until we have a good rain that soaks the ground, at which time they often emerge in alarming numbers, dying on the concrete or entering homes to die.  Lawn Shrimp are native to Australia and they are also known as House Hoppers.  See BugGuide for additional information on Lawn Shrimp.

Lawn Shrimp

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Aquarium Isopod from Australia

March 14, 2015, 7:58 am

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Subject: freshwater aquarium isopod?
Location: Australia
March 13, 2015 8:04 am
Hi, I found this bug in my tank after adding some new plants. I think it might be an isopod of sorts but am unsure as to what type it is. I have it currently in a cup of water with some moss and the small mystery snail that also came with the plants. I’m too worried to keep it in the tank in case it is a parasitic bug that could harm my fish. If the bug is completely harmless please let me know so that I can add it back int the tank instead of them being stuck in a small cup. If it helps, I have noticed that it tends to roll into a ball when it feels threatened. Thanks.
Signature: weilmanu

Aquatic Isopod

Dear weilmanu,
We agree that this is some aquatic Isopod and we cannot guarantee that it will not cause problems in your aquarium.  We would not recommend introducing it to your aquarium.

Aquatic Isopod

The post Aquarium Isopod from Australia appeared first on What's That Bug?.

Orange Woodlouse

March 21, 2015, 4:03 pm

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Subject: Bright Orange Woodlouse
Location: Missouri, United States
March 20, 2015 11:49 am
during my searches for various bugs and critters I’ve come across a total of three of these bright orange woodlice. I have a large plastic tub full of woodlice that I feed and observe, so the three I’ve found are part of my little ecosystem now.
what I’m wondering is, is this a rare genetic coloration of some sort? or a different species of woodlouse than the gray ones? perhaps neither and it’s something else, so I thought I’d ask you!
Signature: Stolz

Orange Woodlouse

Dear Stolz,
Long ago we fielded a question about a Blue Sowbug and we learned it was infected with an Iridovirus which caused the coloration.  We found a similar question posted to BugGuide, but there is no response other than that it is identified as the European Sowbug, Oniscus asellus.  On the Woodlice Oddities Page, it states:  “Orange Porcellio scaber This orange form appears to be rare in this region. The example here is the only one found in a collection of over 400 from the same compost heap – it is also the only one, of two, that I have observed over the last 10 years. The red forms of woodlice are genetically determined but their rarity suggests that this form is not as well adapted to the habitat as the darker gray forms.”  On Terrain.net it states:  “The Orange woodlice is a rare colour form the the common slater  Porcellio scaber.”  On BugGuide we learned that Porcellio scaber is a synonym for Oniscus granulatus.

Habitat with Woodlice

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BeachHopper: Marine Amphipod

June 24, 2015, 3:58 pm

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Subject: Found at Crissy Field
Location: Chrissy Field Beach, San Francisco
June 2, 2015 11:19 am
Hey Mr Bugman, what’s my bug?
Signature: Griffin

BeachHopper

Hi Griffin,
This is a Marine Amphipod commonly called a BeachHopper, probably Megalorchestia californiana.  Your submission will post live to our site later in June while we are away from the office.

Thanks for getting back to us.  We found this guy on the beach and he was resourceful, so we really wanted to know what he was.
Thank you!

The post BeachHopper: Marine Amphipod appeared first on What's That Bug?.

Legalities of Sow Bug Commerce in California

August 10, 2015, 7:40 am

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Subject: Legalities of sow and pill bugs in California.
August 8, 2015 2:54 pm
Is it legal to sell and buy sow and pill bugs in California.
Signature: Andrew smith

Pill Bugs

Dear Andrew,
To the best of our knowledge, there is no state law prohibiting the sale or purchase of Pill Bugs, Sow Bugs or Woodlice in the state of California, but there may be local laws.  We cannot fathom why a person would want to buy or sell Pill Bugs in California or elsewhere.  We have used an image of Pill Bugs from our archives to illustrate your query.

People have been using them for reptile food. But more importantly they’re being used in their terarriums to keep mold bacteria and such things under control. So kinda like a live in cage cleaner.

The post Legalities of Sow Bug Commerce in California appeared first on What's That Bug?.

Lawn Shrimp

September 19, 2015, 4:50 pm

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Subject: What are they?
Location: Chula Vista, California
September 19, 2015 4:06 pm
We found these dead insects next to our outdoor garbage cans after a recent heavy rain We live just south of San Diego. We’ve never seen them before in our yard. Do we have an infestation?
Signature: Susan J.

Lawn Shrimp

Dear Susan,
Lawn Shrimp or House Hoppers, terrestrial Amphipods, generally go unnoticed in irrigated Southern California landscapes until heavy rains drive them from the garden and they die near homes.

The post Lawn Shrimp appeared first on What's That Bug?.

Woodlouse from Australia

January 23, 2016, 12:16 pm

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Subject: ID bug
Location: Sydney, Australia
January 22, 2016 2:36 pm
Hello,
I have found many alive and dead bugs in a bedroom. Sometimes they’re curled up in an almost ball.
Please help to identify them.
With thankd
Signature: N/A

Woodlouse

This terrestrial Isopod is commonly called a Woodlouse, and those that roll into balls are frequently called Pill Bugs or Rollie-Pollies.

The post Woodlouse from Australia appeared first on What's That Bug?.

Lawn Shrimp

April 19, 2016, 7:45 am

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Subject: What kind of bug is this?
Location: Slidell Louisana 70461
April 18, 2016 11:05 pm
Moved into a house. 30+ years old. Sprayed insecticide around perimeter and noticed this insect/bug. I tried to observe one alive but couldn’t. The only one’s i find are dead.
Signature: Signed by the BUGMAN!!!

Lawn Shrimp

These terrestrial Amphipods are known as Lawn Shrimp or House Hoppers.

The post Lawn Shrimp appeared first on What's That Bug?.

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Sea Slater

May 4, 2016, 9:34 pm

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Subject: Weird bug near water
Location: Vancouver, BC
May 3, 2016 7:10 pm
This bug was found near a salt water inlet from the ocean, on the seawall. It was near by some restaurants. The weather was overcast, but warm.
Location: Vancouver, BC
Signature: Z

Sea Slater

Dear Z,
Based on this Wikipedia image, we are pretty confident this is a Sea Slater, Ligia oceanica, but we would not rule out the possibility that it is a closely related species in the same genus.  Ligia pallasii is another species in the genus that is pictured on BugGuide as well as on ASnailsOdyssey where it states:  “Studies on field diets of sea slaters Ligia pallasii on rocky, wave-swept shores on the outer coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia indicate a preference for diatoms, filamentous green (Cladophora photograph of a large male isopod Ligia pallasiisp. and Ulva sp.) and red (Bangia sp.) algae, membranous (Porphyra spp.) red algae, and various kelps.”  According to BugGuide, that species is commonly called a Common Rock Louse and its habitat is “Caves and crevices on rocky sea cliffs” from “Northwestern US; Central California to Alaska.”

Oh my goodness, thank you so much!
Best, Zoë

The post Sea Slater appeared first on What's That Bug?.

Lawn Shrimp found in South Carolina

May 21, 2016, 7:23 am

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aSubject: Hopping Bug
Location: Bluffton, SC
May 21, 2016 4:28 am
What are these hopping bugs that have come out at night under my porch light? The next morning a lot of them have died. These are in Bluffton SC .
Signature: R McLain,

Lawn Shrimp

Dear R McLain,
This looks and acts like a Lawn Shrimp or House Hopper, Arcitalitrus sylvaticus, a species described on BugGuide as being from “Southeastern Australia (New South Wales and Victoria), as well as nearby areas of the Pacific, but introduced into New Zealand, the British Isles, Florida and California” and preferring habitat that is “Moist soil and organic matter within 13 mm of the surface, often among ivy or other ground covers, mostly eucalyptus. Their exoskelton has no waxy coating to keep moisture in, so they can’t survive dryness. They drown in water, though, so they need continuously moist, but not waterlogged conditions.”  Based on this BugGuide posting, they are spreading from Florida to nearby Georgia and your posting indicates they have now spread north to South Carolina.

Thank you Daniel.  I thought they resembled shrimp!

Lawn Shrimp and true Shrimp are classified together as Crustaceans in the same subphylum.

The post Lawn Shrimp found in South Carolina appeared first on What's That Bug?.

Sea Slater in British Columbia

June 5, 2016, 8:16 am

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Subject: like a silverfish but bigger?
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
June 4, 2016 8:38 pm
Hi,
We found these bugs along the seawall of Stanley Park, in Vancouver, BC, Canada. They came in both brownish and grayish colours, and tended to scuttle off over the wall toward the beach / water when we got near. The only one we got a photo of was actually two bugs, with one on top of the other — they crossed the path in front of us and then went over the wall. They were 2-3 inches long. Online searches make us think they might be a kind of silverfish, but they were much larger than any I’ve ever seen domestically!
Signature: K&M

Sea Slater

Dear K&M,
This is a marine Isopod in the family Ligiidae, commonly called a Sea Slater.  According to the Electronic Atlas of the Wildlife of British Columbia, it is Ligia occidentalis, also called “Beach Cockroach; California Sea Slater; Rock Louse; Southern Sea Slater; Western Sea Roach.”

The post Sea Slater in British Columbia appeared first on What's That Bug?.

Introduced Lawn Shrimp hit North Carolina

August 4, 2016, 5:53 am

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Subject: Lawn Shrimp
Location: Castle Hayne, NC
August 3, 2016 7:01 am
I found these little creatures in our pet’s water bowl yesterday and googled what they might be, your site gave me the answer and now I’m letting you know they are also just outside of Wilmington, NC!
Signature: Becky H.

Lawn Shrimp

Dear Becky,
Thanks so much for reporting this North Carolina sighting.  Lawn Shrimp are an introduced species from Australia that are well established in California, and BugGuide indicates they are also found in Florida, though the data on the site indicates Georgia reports.  This North Carolina sighting cannot be considered a normal range expansion as this is an introduced species, but there is no telling how far North they will be able to survive in North America.  We have already reported Lawn Shrimp in South Carolina.

The post Introduced Lawn Shrimp hit North Carolina appeared first on What's That Bug?.

Woodlice

November 12, 2016, 6:49 pm

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Subject: Identify bug
Location: Davidson
November 12, 2016 11:25 am
Hi we would like to know what type of bug my son had in his basement bathroom. Seems to come from under the corner shower.
Thanks
Signature: Flo

Woodlice

Dear Flo,
These are Woodlice or Sowbugs, and children commonly call them Rollie-Pollies because they curl into balls.  They are harmless, and though they are normally found outdoors in the garden, they can sometimes be found in damp areas indoors.  Where is Davidson?

Hi,
Thanks for the response.  Davidson is between Saskatoon Saskatchewan and Regina Saskatchewan (about half way).
Is there anything we can use to get rid of them?
Thanks again,
Florence

Thanks for the clarification.  We do not provide extermination advice.

The post Woodlice appeared first on What's That Bug?.

Woodlouse

December 12, 2016, 10:12 am

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Subject: Bug
Location: Bronx, New York
December 11, 2016 7:57 pm
I found this bug crawling on the floor in my room. What kind of bug is this? I live in an apartment building.
Signature: What letter?

Woodlouse

This is a Woodlouse in the Suborder Oniscidea, and according to BugGuide, they are found:  “wherever cool, dark, moist places are available to shelter woodlice from dryness and heat during the day.”  They are generally found outdoors, or in basements, so we are guessing you are in a ground floor apartment.

The post Woodlouse appeared first on What's That Bug?.

Lawn Shrimp found in South Carolina

May 21, 2016, 7:23 am

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aSubject: Hopping Bug
Location: Bluffton, SC
May 21, 2016 4:28 am
What are these hopping bugs that have come out at night under my porch light? The next morning a lot of them have died. These are in Bluffton SC .
Signature: R McLain,

Lawn Shrimp

Dear R McLain,
This looks and acts like a Lawn Shrimp or House Hopper, Arcitalitrus sylvaticus, a species described on BugGuide as being from “Southeastern Australia (New South Wales and Victoria), as well as nearby areas of the Pacific, but introduced into New Zealand, the British Isles, Florida and California” and preferring habitat that is “Moist soil and organic matter within 13 mm of the surface, often among ivy or other ground covers, mostly eucalyptus. Their exoskelton has no waxy coating to keep moisture in, so they can’t survive dryness. They drown in water, though, so they need continuously moist, but not waterlogged conditions.”  Based on this BugGuide posting, they are spreading from Florida to nearby Georgia and your posting indicates they have now spread north to South Carolina.

Thank you Daniel.  I thought they resembled shrimp!

Lawn Shrimp and true Shrimp are classified together as Crustaceans in the same subphylum.

The post Lawn Shrimp found in South Carolina appeared first on What's That Bug?.

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Sea Slater in British Columbia

June 5, 2016, 8:16 am

≫ Next: Introduced Lawn Shrimp hit North Carolina

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Subject: like a silverfish but bigger?
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
June 4, 2016 8:38 pm
Hi,
We found these bugs along the seawall of Stanley Park, in Vancouver, BC, Canada. They came in both brownish and grayish colours, and tended to scuttle off over the wall toward the beach / water when we got near. The only one we got a photo of was actually two bugs, with one on top of the other — they crossed the path in front of us and then went over the wall. They were 2-3 inches long. Online searches make us think they might be a kind of silverfish, but they were much larger than any I’ve ever seen domestically!
Signature: K&M

Sea Slater

Dear K&M,
This is a marine Isopod in the family Ligiidae, commonly called a Sea Slater.  According to the Electronic Atlas of the Wildlife of British Columbia, it is Ligia occidentalis, also called “Beach Cockroach; California Sea Slater; Rock Louse; Southern Sea Slater; Western Sea Roach.”

The post Sea Slater in British Columbia appeared first on What's That Bug?.

Introduced Lawn Shrimp hit North Carolina

August 4, 2016, 5:53 am

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Subject: Lawn Shrimp
Location: Castle Hayne, NC
August 3, 2016 7:01 am
I found these little creatures in our pet’s water bowl yesterday and googled what they might be, your site gave me the answer and now I’m letting you know they are also just outside of Wilmington, NC!
Signature: Becky H.

Lawn Shrimp

Dear Becky,
Thanks so much for reporting this North Carolina sighting.  Lawn Shrimp are an introduced species from Australia that are well established in California, and BugGuide indicates they are also found in Florida, though the data on the site indicates Georgia reports.  This North Carolina sighting cannot be considered a normal range expansion as this is an introduced species, but there is no telling how far North they will be able to survive in North America.  We have already reported Lawn Shrimp in South Carolina.

The post Introduced Lawn Shrimp hit North Carolina appeared first on What's That Bug?.

Woodlice

November 12, 2016, 6:49 pm

≫ Next: Woodlouse

≪ Previous: Introduced Lawn Shrimp hit North Carolina

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Subject: Identify bug
Location: Davidson
November 12, 2016 11:25 am
Hi we would like to know what type of bug my son had in his basement bathroom. Seems to come from under the corner shower.
Thanks
Signature: Flo

Woodlice

Dear Flo,
These are Woodlice or Sowbugs, and children commonly call them Rollie-Pollies because they curl into balls.  They are harmless, and though they are normally found outdoors in the garden, they can sometimes be found in damp areas indoors.  Where is Davidson?

Hi,
Thanks for the response.  Davidson is between Saskatoon Saskatchewan and Regina Saskatchewan (about half way).
Is there anything we can use to get rid of them?
Thanks again,
Florence

Thanks for the clarification.  We do not provide extermination advice.

The post Woodlice appeared first on What's That Bug?.

Woodlouse

December 12, 2016, 10:12 am

≫ Next: Lawn Shrimp

≪ Previous: Woodlice

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Subject: Bug
Location: Bronx, New York
December 11, 2016 7:57 pm
I found this bug crawling on the floor in my room. What kind of bug is this? I live in an apartment building.
Signature: What letter?

Woodlouse

This is a Woodlouse in the Suborder Oniscidea, and according to BugGuide, they are found:  “wherever cool, dark, moist places are available to shelter woodlice from dryness and heat during the day.”  They are generally found outdoors, or in basements, so we are guessing you are in a ground floor apartment.

The post Woodlouse appeared first on What's That Bug?.

Lawn Shrimp

March 28, 2017, 7:10 am

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Subject: Land Shrimp?!
Location: La Habra Heights, CA
March 27, 2017 10:20 am
Hi,
We just recently moved into our new place and found these bugs crawling into our living room from the patio door and molting They moved very slow and when i try to catch one, it jumped up about 12 to 18 inches straight up. I lived in Southern California and never seen an insect like this. Can you help me identify this insect, thank you.
Signature: Jonathan

Lawn Shrimp

Dear Jonathan,
Commonly called a Lawn Shrimp or House Hopper, this terrestrial Amphipod is not an insect, but a Crustacean.  Lawn Shrimp are native to Australia, but they have naturalized in Southern California because of the irrigated gardens that are so common.

Daniel,
Thank you for identifying the critter.  My son was so excited when I read the email you had sent and how amazed he was how a shrimp can live in our yard.  Thank you and we will be visiting the site to identify all the insects and non insects we find in our backyard and vegetable garden.   I found your site to be very educational and entertaining, thank you!
Best Regards,
Jonathan Kim

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