Bug Identifier
Pseudoscorpion
Community identification

Pseudoscorpion

Chelifer cancroides (common example)

Order & Family
Order Pseudoscorpiones; Family Cheliferidae
Size
2 to 8 millimeters (0.08 to 0.31 inches)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Leaf litter, under bark, in caves, or inside homes (often in bathrooms or libraries)

Diet & Feeding

Carnivorous; feeds on small arthropods like booklice, mites, and fly larvae

Behavior Patterns

They use their pincer-like pedipalps to catch prey and sometimes hitch rides on larger insects (phoresy) to move to new locations

Risks & Benefits

Beneficial to ecosystems and homes as they eat household pests like booklice and mites; they are harmless to humans and do not sting or bite