It’s always fun when I come across something interesting and “new” in my vermicomposting systems – and this is definitely a first! The other day I noticed a strange white object moving across a piece of shredded cardboard in one of my bins. Upon closer inspection I realized it was a pseudoscorpion with a big cluster of eggs! I immediately transferred the cardboard over to a bucket and dashed upstairs to grab the camera (with a brief interlude of eye-rolling from my wife when I explained why I was in such a hurry! lol). Luckily I was able to still find it when I got back downstairs!
Not the sharpest photos, but these things are really tiny so I’ll take what I can get! You can see in the first image how pseudoscorpions compare in size to springtails (and that was a small springtail) – although I’m sure they have zero qualms about eating them! I wouldn’t be surprised if these guys help us get rid of gnat and fruit fly larvae as well.
Anyway – just thought it was way too cool not to share here!
8)
Other Pseudoscorpion Posts
When Pseudoscorpions Attack!
Scorpions In My Worm Bin – Yikes!
Wow, I’ve never seen one of those Bentley!! Thanks for that post! I wonder if those eggs just stay attached to them or they drop off…
are they dangerous to people? these bins were indoors?
Interesting. Are they rare, or just so small we rarely see them?
KIM – good question! I seem recall something about actual scorpions carrying their young around, so perhaps it’s the same idea with these guys (although they are not real scorpions, I do think they are somewhat related). Maybe I should have kept it in a separate container so I could find out! lol
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SCWorm – Absolutely not dangerous in the least. If you saw how tiny they are you would probably laugh.
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JERRY – I used to think they were rare, but I’ve come across a fair number of them as of late. They are very tiny and very well camouflaged (except when carrying eggs), so not surprising more people don’t notice them.
They are also called “Ahoo”! I did the same thing when i saw at least three on a paper plate.I ran inside and grabbed my camera real quick.My wife said “What’s wrong?” I said “I just saw a pseudo scorpion!” She said “AHOO?”
Or maybe that was just ones name? LOL!
Pseudo scorpions are great inhabitants to have in any vermicomposting system. Realize that we are all trying to make sustainable ecosystems in our worm bins/bays/digester(s). A complete food chain with micro-arthropod predators like these is a good indicator that all is well in your system, and that it will be better able to regulate itself.
These are Great photos, much better than any others I have seen on-line. If really interested in a geek fest, we took some cool microscopy videos of 50+ of these guys taking down a house fly (truly gruesome). I have a theory that pseudo scorpions are the reason we have less flys inside our 4 worm buildings than outside.
HELP!!! i have something in my worm bin that looks similar but no tail whips or eggs. these are about 3/4″ long & 1/4″ wide but their whole body looks the same. like the front part of a pseudo scorpion. will it harm my worms? thanks and keep up the good work,TOMMY PRUITT
well these book or hiuse scorpions are beneficial for honey bees and have coexistence documented going back hundreds of years. I have bees and am looking for House Pseudoscorpions like yours. I also have two worm bins for years but never seen any. is it possible to buy some from you?
Happy New Year, Volker
I have what Tommy Pruitt is describing. comment number 7. What is it?