Unidentified Invader!

neillyd · #1 (**permalink**) 12-02-2011, 12:50 PM

We moved into rented accommodation 2 weeks ago (quite a rural location, and quite an old building) - last night approx 50 of these appeared on the ceiling and walls. Anything we should be worried about? Any info/advice would be appreciated!

werdnal · #2 (**permalink**) 12-02-2011, 12:57 PM

Carpet beetle larvae.

Have a read here for more info:

Carpet Beetles

Welcome to the forum by the way.

Bruce Williams · #3 (**permalink**) 13-02-2011, 07:26 AM

From your pics they are almost certainly Polyxenus lagurus (the Bristly millipede), see this photo (note scale bar):

They tend to be found in colonies hence your concern about invasion. As far as I know they are harmless - in fact I would be delighted to find them in my house as I think they are charming little creatures. I was interested to note that they are active this early in the year as I have never photographed them before April or after October.

You might find this forum post interesting: Smallest millipede in the world

Bruce

UB4 gardener · #4 (**permalink**) 13-02-2011, 09:55 AM

the difference between life and death on this one.

Chris

werdnal · #5 (**permalink**) 13-02-2011, 02:53 PM

I'm no expert, but the OP's photos look more hairy than bristly, hence the carpet beetle larvae more common name of "woolly bears". That is also possibly why they are active now then the other suggested millipeded are not.

storm11 · #6 (**permalink**) 13-02-2011, 09:56 PM

hi im going to say they are wooly bears i have them in my house to and they are everywhere. without a doubt my money is on them being wooly bears the lavae of fur beetle/carpet beetle.

neillyd · #7 (**permalink**) 14-02-2011, 08:39 AM

Thanks for your posts everyone - looks like it could quite easily be either of the 2 suggestions. The 'invaders' are approx. 3mm in length, and so far I haven't seen any actual adult beetles - if it was them, when would they start to appear? Thanks.

Fauna · #8 (**permalink**) 14-02-2011, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neillyd

Thanks for your posts everyone - looks like it could quite easily be either of the 2 suggestions. The 'invaders' are approx. 3mm in length, and so far I haven't seen any actual adult beetles - if it was them, when would they start to appear? Thanks.

Polyxenus lagurus looks good for me as well, as you say both suggestions look similar. But i think you can just make out the antennae in two of the pics, i dont think carpet beetle larvae show this.

Regards Chris...

~T~ · #9 (**permalink**) 14-02-2011, 09:42 PM

I don't think carpet beetle larvae would be on the ceiling either. I had a small infestation for a while and they were only ever on the floor.

werdnal · #10 (**permalink**) 15-02-2011, 11:31 PM

Contrary to their name, carpet beetles and their larvae are not always found in carpet. They eat a variety of fabrics and fur and are often found is loft spaces in old birds nests or dead mice. I wouldn't rule them out as woolly bears, just because they were not on the floor!