Bug Identifier
Pseudoscorpion
Community identification

Pseudoscorpion

Chelifer cancroides (common house species)

Order & Family
Order Pseudoscorpiones; various families (e.g., Cheliferidae)
Size
2 to 8 millimeters (0.08 to 0.31 inches)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Damp environments, leaf litter, under tree bark, and occasionally indoors in bathrooms or bookshelves.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivorous; they prey on small arthropods such as mite, booklice, springtails, and larvae.

Behavior Patterns

They are known for 'phoresy,' Hitching rides on larger flying insects to move to new locations. They hunt using pincers that contain venom glands and spin silk from glands in their jaws for nests.

Risks & Benefits

Completely harmless to humans and pets as they lack a stinger and cannot pierce human skin. They are highly beneficial to ecosystems and homes by controlling pest populations like clothes moth larvae and carpet beetles.