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Entomology (Study of Bugs)/Itty bitty Larvae coming out of my sheetrock

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Expert: Nathan Riggs - 9/25/2005


Question
I'm  in the Kansas City area, and I noticed a black "spot" on my white sheetrock and popcorn texture celing.  The spot actually was easily 100 little bugs that inch along liker inch worms.  Grey skinny bodies with little round black heads.
I have up close pictures of the little suckers on a nickle and on a popsicle stick.
go here:
http://spaces.msn.com/members/Richard-Harmony-Elijah/
and then click on the photo album labled "MC stuff"  I have 6 little pictures in there.

any info on what these are would be appriciated.
Thanks,
Richard

Answer
Richard:

I cannot get your link to work properly.  My email is nlriggs@bexarmet.org.


It sounds like a female Geometrid moth got into your house and laid some eggs on the sheetrock.  This is a random act, because these worms will not harm your sheetrock or home.

Nathan

Entomology (Study of Bugs)

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Nathan Riggs

Expertise

I currently live in San Antonio, TX and have expertise in identifying insects, many types of spiders, and other arthropod critters that infest lawns, ornamentals, structures, trees, pets and livestock. Mites are not a strong point of mine. I'm not a licensed doctor, so I cannot provide medical diagnosis of conditions possibly related to insects or other arthropods. If you've got an interesting photo for me to see, let me know and I'll give you my email so the picture will get to me. If you have hosted an insect photo on a website, please include the link so I can go look at it and provide a faster ID for you. Don't forget...you can now attach pictures to your questions as well!

Experience

19 Years' Experience as an entomologist: 5 years as a biologist with Merck Animal Health and 7 years as an Integrated Pest Management(IPM)Specialist in San Antonio, Texas with Texas Cooperative Extension.

Publications
Veterinary Parasitology, Southwestern Entomologist, San Antonio Express News, San Antonio Gardener Newsletter

Education/Credentials
BS - Entomology from Texas A&M University in 1992.

Board Certified Entomologist, 1996-2000 - Medical and Veterinary Entomology Specialty (Entomological Society of America)

Awards and Honors
2000 Texas A&M University Vice Chancellor's Award in Excellence for leadership on the Texas Fire Ant Program Educational Team.

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