Tan Bugs Without Wings: 10 Types
These are the 10 most common tan bugs without wings found in North America.
Quick list
How to narrow it down
Narrow it down with three quick checks. Count the legs: insects have six, spiders and ticks have eight, and centipedes and millipedes have many more. Check for wings, even folded ones. Then compare size against a coin: a US penny is 19 mm across. Our bug identifier tool does this filtering for you.
The 10 bugs
Arizona Bark Scorpion
Arizona Bark ScorpionCentruroides sculpturatusA slender, light tan scorpion of the desert Southwest and the most venomous scorpion in North America. It climbs walls and ceilings and often hides in shoes, bedding and clothing.
Tell-tale sign: Thin, light yellowish-tan body and slender pincers. Risk: Bark scorpion stings cause severe pain and numbness and can be dangerous for young children and older adults; call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 after a sting.
Brown Recluse Spider
Brown Recluse SpiderLoxosceles reclusaA tan to brown spider with a dark violin-shaped mark on its back and only six eyes. It hides in boxes, closets and unused clothing in the south-central US.
Tell-tale sign: Dark violin-shaped mark pointing toward the abdomen. Risk: Most bites are mild, but some cause a spreading wound that needs medical care.
Head Louse
Head LousePediculus humanus capitisA tiny, wingless insect that lives only on the human scalp and feeds on blood. Its eggs, called nits, are glued firmly to hair near the scalp.
Tell-tale sign: Sesame-seed-size tan or grayish insect on hair. Risk: Head lice are itchy but don't spread disease; they spread mainly by head-to-head contact.
House Centipede
House CentipedeScutigera coleoptrataA fast, yellowish-gray centipede with 15 pairs of very long legs that races across floors and walls at night. It hunts silverfish, cockroaches and spiders.
Tell-tale sign: Fifteen pairs of long, banded legs. Risk: House centipedes rarely bite; a bite feels like a mild bee sting.
Pharaoh Ant
Pharaoh AntMonomorium pharaonisA tiny, pale yellow ant that nests in warm, hidden spots inside walls, cabinets and appliances. Colonies split into new nests when disturbed, which makes them hard to control.
Tell-tale sign: Very small, light yellow to amber body with a darker abdomen. Risk: They don't bite, but in hospitals and kitchens they can carry bacteria onto clean surfaces.
Booklouse
BooklouseLiposcelis spp.A tiny, soft, pale insect that feeds on microscopic mold growing on paper, cardboard and stored food. It thrives in humid rooms and new construction.
Tell-tale sign: Very small, pale, wingless body. Risk: Booklice don't bite and aren't true lice; they indicate high humidity and mold.
Camel Cricket
Camel CricketDiestrammena asynamoraA humpbacked, wingless cricket with very long legs and antennae that lives in basements, crawl spaces and garages. It jumps toward threats, which startles many people.
Tell-tale sign: Arched, humpbacked brown body. Risk: Camel crickets don't bite or spread disease; they point to damp conditions.
Cellar Spider
Cellar SpiderPholcus phalangioidesA pale, delicate spider with extremely long, thin legs that hangs upside down in loose webs in basements and ceiling corners. When disturbed, it vibrates rapidly in its web.
Tell-tale sign: Tiny, peanut-shaped body with very long, hair-thin legs. Risk: Cellar spiders are harmless to people; the myth that they are deadly but can't bite is false.
Common House Spider
Common House SpiderParasteatoda tepidariorumA small, brownish spider that builds tangled cobwebs in corners, windows and basements. It is the web-builder most often seen inside North American homes.
Tell-tale sign: Round, mottled brown abdomen with chevron markings. Risk: Common house spiders are harmless and help catch flies and other indoor pests.
Harvestman
HarvestmanOpiliones orderOften called daddy longlegs, a long-legged arachnid with a single fused, oval body and no venom glands. It scavenges on dead insects, fungi and plant matter.
Tell-tale sign: One round body section instead of two. Risk: Harvestmen have no venom and no silk; they are completely harmless.
Which ones should you worry about?
3 of the 10 bugs in this guide can bite or sting. The ones to take seriously are Arizona bark scorpion and brown recluse spider. The rest are harmless or simply a nuisance.
Comparison at a glance
| Arizona Bark Scorpion | Brown Recluse Spider | Head Louse | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group | Ticks, Mites & Other Arachnids | Spiders | Other Insects |
| Scientific name | Centruroides sculpturatus | Loxosceles reclusa | Pediculus humanus capitis |
| Size | 50–80 mm | 6–20 mm | 2–3 mm |
| Colors | Tan and Yellow | Brown and Tan | Tan, Gray and White |
| Legs | 8 legs | 8 legs | 6 legs |
| Wings | No | No | No |
| Bites or stings | Stings | Bites | Bites |
| Risk | Health risk | Health risk | Can bite or sting |
| Key feature | Thin, light yellowish-tan body and slender pincers | Dark violin-shaped mark pointing toward the abdomen | Sesame-seed-size tan or grayish insect on hair |
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common one?
Among the bugs in this guide, the Arizona bark scorpion and brown recluse spider are the ones people ask about most.
Which of these are dangerous?
Arizona Bark Scorpion and Brown Recluse Spider can be medically significant.
How can I identify a bug I found?
Use the free bug identifier tool: choose the number of legs, wings, main color, size and where you found it, and it will list the closest matches.