Insect Identification Laboratory
Department of Entomology at Virginia Tech

Identification of Adult Stages of Insects

Select the insect from set #2 that most closely resembles the pest found in your house or pantry. If you do not see an insect that resembles the one found in your house go on to set #1 or set #3. Because this only covers the major pests you may have something else. In that case you should contact your county extension agent. He/She is well trained in local insect problems.

Set #2, six choices

BEETLE GROUPBeetles have hardened wing covers over their backs giving them a "hard shell" appearance. Size ranges from 1/8 inch (3 mm) to 1-1/2 inch (40 mm) COCKROACH GROUP Cockroaches have leathery wing coverings, not quite as hard as beetles. They also have long slender antenna. They are usually dark colored but may have white or black markings.
SPRINGTAILS are usually pale colored, very small (2 mm or 1/8 inch) and JUMP when disturbed. CENTIPEDE have many body regions, each with ONE pair of legs.
MILLIPEDES are similar to centipedes above but have TWO pairs of legs on each segment FLEAS are dark colored and jump. They are small in length (2 mm or 1/6 inch) and very narrow when viewed from the front.

Does not fit, GO TO LIST 1 OR GO TO LIST 3