Any entomolygists here? WTF is this?

[RayB]

I occasionally find these things in my house (Toronto, Ontario). I've never seen this insect before in my life. Most I've found were barely more than 1/8th of an inch long. I've seen 3 varieties at that size. Black and smooth, white and powdery/lumpy looking, and greyish powdery/lumpy looking.

The first time I ever saw the little white ones, I thought it was one of those quick little jumping spiders covered in drywall dust. I thought the thick hind legs were 2 stuck together.

The photos below show the biggest one I've ever found, at about half an inch long. The bigger ones are always greyish and lumpy/powdery. (Of course I've only ever found three of this size).

Sorry for the poor quality photos. What's fascinating about these guys is the large rear legs which give them a sort of mech-robot sort of look when they walk. They have 6 legs, and two short antennae.

[gryhnd]

Warrior Bug

 

[Rick]

Hit up http://www.whatsthatbug.com/ and see if they'll identify it for you.  A buddy of mine swears by the site.

[RayB]

Hit up http://www.whatsthatbug.com/ and see if they'll identify it for you.  A buddy of mine swears by the site.

Done and done.

[gryhnd]

I think I inadvertently found your bug.

I was on the above referenced site again to show my kid info on the Conifer Bugs we get around here (S.E. Mass) in the fall.

Lo-and-behold....check out the pic at the bottom of the page:

http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2009/11/13/western-conifer-seed-bug-and-whats-that-bug-book-preview/

"..an Assassin Bug, an immature Masked Hunter"

[RayB]

Thanks. I think you found it. The lower picture matches. The top does not, but when I looked up mature "Masked Hunters", turns out I have found a couple of those too (just didn't think they were related).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masked_hunter

The little ones I've seen look more like these:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stylurus/932234213/#in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/98036178@N00/2763508492/#

[WhereEaglesDare]

scary

[DaOld Man]

Now the 25 dollar question: What poison do you use for them? (just in case I see some here in Ky.)

[danny_galaga]

Now the 25 dollar question: What poison do you use for them? (just in case I see some here in Ky.)

Are they dangerous?

[Vanguard]

No, hence the name, "Assasian Bug".    

[NiN^_^NiN]

Now the 25 dollar question: What poison do you use for them? (just in case I see some here in Ky.)

Are they dangerous?

There's like huntsman spiders not deadly but hurt

The bite can be very painful, but masked hunters do not transmit any diseases and medical attention is seldom needed.[2]

[gryhnd]

No, hence the name, "Assasian Bug".    

So, you see, I wasn't that far off with my first Warrior Bug post, now was I?   

[danny_galaga]

Now the 25 dollar question: What poison do you use for them? (just in case I see some here in Ky.)

Are they dangerous?

There's like huntsman spiders not deadly but hurt

The bite can be very painful, but masked hunters do not transmit any diseases and medical attention is seldom needed.[2]

I had a look at wikipedia after I posted, as I guess you did. Since they eat bed bugs, I think i would rather let them be and risk the tiny chance of getting one angry and getting a non lethal bite, than to have bed bugs...

[RayB]

I had a look at wikipedia after I posted, as I guess you did. Since they eat bed bugs, I think i would rather let them be and risk the tiny chance of getting one angry and getting a non lethal bite, than to have bed bugs...

Same thought crossed my mind. I also have "house centipedes" in here (not infested but I see one at least once a week) and while they creep the holy crap out of me, they eat roaches and roach eggs. I don't have roaches and would rather keep it that way.