Unknown Orange Caterpillars - Help

[GoneOffShore]

Ever since we moved in to this house we've seen these guys. Not a lot, just a couple a week.

We've had the wall to wall carpet replaced and we still get them. Hardwood floors on the first floor and we seldom see them there.

No one has been able to identify them. Not even the guys from Terminix.

The following pictures are of one of them. Even if we find out what they are, it may be difficult to get rid of them. But we'd still like to know what they are.







Anyone have an idea?

Thanks

[MiddleFingerMom]

1. Ask-a-Librarian.

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.
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Librarians will research virtually ANY question free of charge.
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Here's a toll-free 24/7 number that may or may not work for your area
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I recommend googling "ask a librarian (and the name of your county)"
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877-251-3300
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Either that or LEAVE THE HOUSE IMMEDIATELY DON'T STOP TO PACK ANYTHING IN FACT
DON'T STOP 'TIL YOU GET TO NEW ZEALAND WHERE "THE END", WHILE INEVITABLE, MAY
BE DELAYED AS MUCH AS SEVERAL YEARS!!!!!!
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.
.

[kick-ass-bob]

2. I know what it is.

Actually...

Why don't you just capture it, put it in a jar (with air holes) and feed it. See what it turns into. It may just be some sort of moth afterwards.

[rug]

8. That's one of the most sensible posts I've read on DU.

[kick-ass-bob]

10. I'm gonna have to screen cap this!

:rofl:

:bounce::bounce:

[Denninmi]

3. Contact the entomology department at your local university.

They generally will help. Here in Michigan, you can submit samples to the Plant Pathology Laboratory at Michigan State and they will have their staff entomologist ID the bug.

[IcyPeas]

4. you sure that's a caterpillar? not a worm of some sort?

I thought caterpillars where fuzzy.

[GoneOffShore]

5. there are little hairs

Last photo

[eppur_se_muova]

6. Denebian bloodworms? nt

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

7. I think you got yerself one o' them there

Pseudothyatira cymatophoroides (False Owlet Moth) caterpillars. Check with the entomology department at a local university, they can give you a more positive identification.

[wysimdnwyg]

9. Submit a request to BugGuide.net

http://bugguide.net/node/view/6/bgimage

They'll put the picture up and people visiting the site can ID the little critter.

[VenusRising]

11. I have no idea.

But mike_c is an entomologist. You might PM him if he doesn't check in here.

Good luck with your critters.

[mikeytherat]

12. Orange Pincher Worm?

Maybe a Salt Marsh Caterpillar?


mikey_the_rat

[marzipanni]

13. It's easier to tell the size if you put a coin next to the bug

Judging by the large looking carpet fibers, the larva is pretty small. If it's ~1/4 " it could be a dermestid beetle larva-

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Pest-Control-1500/2009/8/tiny-caterpillar.htm

[GoCubsGo]

14. It's a beetle larva of some sort.

One of the grain beetles, perhaps. Or, a dermestid larva: http://bugguide.net/node/view/503849

If it's the latter, I'm surprised the Terminix guys didn't know what the are. They're from the carpet beetle family. It is no surprised they'd still be around despite the carpet being removed. These beetles will eat things like your shed skin cells and dandruff, hair, feathers, wool, pollen...

[Kat45]

15. I once had an apt overrun with carpet beetles.

The people in the apt below me had just had their wall to wall carpet removed.

[denbot]

17. Beetle larva would be my guess as well..

The coloring is pretty cool.

[handmade34]

18. beetle larva was my guess also

just don't know which beetle...

[mike_c]

19. yup, you nailed it....

It's definitely a beetle larva, but hard to say much else without a specimen. The bifurcated anal plate is most common on beetle larvae IIRC. I really can't figure out the scale from the pics though. Dermestids eat dried protein from just about any source. They're not especially harmful unless you have dead animals or animal products (wool, silk, hide, etc)

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

16. Does it have distinct legs? I can't see any on the photo.

If it's a moth larva (caterpillar) it will have 3 pairs of clawlike legs on its thorax and several sets of smaller, stubby legs on segments of its abdomen. If it's a beetle larva (grub) it may or may not have obvious legs but will probably have noticeable, dark-colored jaws, which your critter seems to have. So it's likely a beetle grub, but if it's a carpet beetle I would expect the Terminix guys to be able to identify it.