help unable to identify

davidfirth1 · #1 (**permalink**) 18-12-2009, 12:41 PM

Hi as a newby to this site I am hopeful that some one can help me
We have had in the bed room a small bug about the very smallest to be about 1.5mm and the largest to be about 3.5mm long and about 2mm in width black in colour with 2 small red/orange spots on the back the appear to have wings which are under the shell or body and have very thin legs which only just visible outside the body they have no antenna and cannot see any visible head it all appears to be covered with the body they do not appear to move but obviously do but will remain in the static position for many hours I find them only in ONE BEDROOM ONLY on the carpet and occasionally on the bed but we may only see one every week or so we have a small open fire in the bedroom which is the only difference between the other bedrooms they are never seen in any other part of the house.I understand it is difficult to identify without a picture I will try to post one later. Can you please help I just need to identify and get rid

pressld2 · #2 (**permalink**) 18-12-2009, 01:53 PM

Hi David and welcome to teh site!

From the size and description it sounds like they could be pine ladybirds. These are very tiny in comparison to the normal 7-spot ladybirds and are usually black with just a very few red spots. Like this...

Dave P.

JRsbugs · #3 (**permalink**) 18-12-2009, 01:55 PM

Hi David, welcome to WAB.

What you are describing sounds like a 2-spot Ladybird. They are small but not sure about 1.5mm, although some can be very small. They do have antennae and a visible head but these often look combined with the body unless they are stretching out, also diffiuclt to see with being small.

Ladybirds sometimes come inside for the winter, there is now a lot of the Harlequin ladybirds around and they do come inside in big numbers, mine this year have stayed in the gaps around the windows. They can, amazingly, come through even sealed double glazing. These are bigger though, and with having just one or two it is probably the 2-spot.

I don't think it sounds like anything else. Look after it, if it wants to go outside in spring give it a helping hand, they are useful in ridding the aphids in the garden.

UK Ladybird Survey - Ladybird species in the UK

Let us know what you think.

Just saw your post Dave, yes it could be that too! I saw one outside not long ago.

Janet

The Woodman · #4 (**permalink**) 18-12-2009, 02:07 PM

I'm intrigued Janet.

Ladybirds coming through sealed double glazing??

Can you enlighten me please?

JRsbugs · #5 (**permalink**) 18-12-2009, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Woodman

I'm intrigued Janet.

Ladybirds coming through sealed double glazing??

Can you enlighten me please?

Lol, perhaps my use of words was a little sloppy. They can get through the epdm sealing around uPVC double glazed windows, which forms quite a snug fit.

The Woodman · #6 (**permalink**) 18-12-2009, 02:39 PM

OK, I'll bin my letter to FENSA in that case!

davidfirth1 · #7 (**permalink**) 18-12-2009, 04:15 PM

Hi unfortunately the little bug we have is a lot flatter it is I would
say is about 1mm in thickness and does not fly.and does not compare with the lady bird shape will try to send pics. Thanks for help

Acutipuerilis · #8 (**permalink**) 19-12-2009, 10:27 AM

Sounds more like Attagenus pellio, the Fur Beetle. If it is, then you've probably got a fur, wool or leather coat etc. somewhere that's being nibbled in a cupboard...

Paul mabbott · #9 (**permalink**) 19-12-2009, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Woodman

I'm intrigued Janet.

Ladybirds coming through sealed double glazing??

Can you enlighten me please?

Most often they come through ventilation on the window - if you have the type with a row of holes and a sliding closure ..... if you know what I mean.

Paul mabbott · #10 (**permalink**) 19-12-2009, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRsbugs

Hi David, welcome to WAB.

.......... are small but not sure about 1.5mm, although some can be very small. .......

Yes, at 1.5 mm then we would be talking about the 'atypical' coccinellids Nephus, Scymnus etc but these aren't regular visitors to houses! There are other beetles which may be more likely but I can't think of any at the moment! If the shape is wrong then perhaps we are talking about bugs rather than beetles?