White Bugs Without Wings: 10 Types
These are the 10 most common white 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
American Dog Tick
American Dog TickDermacentor variabilisA brown tick with ornate white-gray markings on its shield, common along trails, roadsides and grassy fields. It readily feeds on dogs and people.
Tell-tale sign: Brown body with silvery-white mottling on the shield. Risk: American dog ticks can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia.
Lone Star Tick
Lone Star TickAmblyomma americanumAn aggressive, reddish-brown tick of the Southeast and East; adult females have a single white spot on the back. All life stages bite people.
Tell-tale sign: Single white dot on the back of adult females. Risk: Lone star tick bites are linked to ehrlichiosis and alpha-gal syndrome, a red meat allergy.
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.
Aphid
AphidAphidoidea superfamilyA tiny, soft, pear-shaped insect that clusters on new shoots and leaf undersides to suck sap. Aphids reproduce quickly and leave sticky honeydew that attracts ants.
Tell-tale sign: Pear-shaped, soft body, often green or black. Risk: Aphids don't bite people; heavy colonies curl leaves and spread plant viruses.
Silverfish
SilverfishLepisma saccharinaA wingless, carrot-shaped insect covered in silvery scales that moves with a fish-like wiggle. It eats paper, glue, starches and fabrics in damp areas.
Tell-tale sign: Silvery-gray, teardrop-shaped, scaly body. Risk: Silverfish don't bite; they damage books, wallpaper and stored papers.
Tomato Hornworm
Tomato HornwormManduca quinquemaculataA huge, bright green caterpillar with white V-shaped marks and a horn on its rear end. It can strip tomato, pepper and eggplant leaves overnight and later becomes a hawk moth.
Tell-tale sign: Plump green caterpillar up to four inches long. Risk: The horn is harmless; hornworms don't sting or bite.
Bold Jumping Spider
Bold Jumping SpiderPhidippus audaxA compact, fuzzy black spider with white spots and iridescent green mouthparts. It stalks prey with excellent eyesight and leaps several times its body length.
Tell-tale sign: Two very large, front-facing eyes. Risk: Jumping spiders are shy and harmless; a rare bite feels like a mild pinch.
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.
Goldenrod Crab Spider
Goldenrod Crab SpiderMisumena vatiaA small, crab-like spider that sits on flowers waiting to ambush bees and flies. It can slowly change color between white and yellow to match its flower.
Tell-tale sign: Front two pairs of legs much longer and held out like a crab's. Risk: Crab spiders are harmless; their fangs are too small to hurt most people.
Springtail
SpringtailCollembola classA tiny, wingless hexapod that jumps using a tail-like spring folded under its body. Springtails swarm in damp soil, potted plants and around leaks.
Tell-tale sign: Pinhead-size gray, white or black body. Risk: Springtails don't bite or damage homes; large numbers usually point to a moisture problem.
Which ones should you worry about?
3 of the 10 bugs in this guide can bite or sting. The ones to take seriously are American dog tick and lone star tick. The rest are harmless or simply a nuisance.
Comparison at a glance
| American Dog Tick | Lone Star Tick | Head Louse | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group | Ticks, Mites & Other Arachnids | Ticks, Mites & Other Arachnids | Other Insects |
| Scientific name | Dermacentor variabilis | Amblyomma americanum | Pediculus humanus capitis |
| Size | 3–5 mm | 3–6 mm | 2–3 mm |
| Colors | Brown, White and Gray | Brown, Red and White | Tan, Gray and White |
| Legs | 8 legs | 8 legs | 6 legs |
| Wings | No | No | No |
| Bites or stings | Bites | Bites | Bites |
| Risk | Health risk | Health risk | Can bite or sting |
| Key feature | Brown body with silvery-white mottling on the shield | Single white dot on the back of adult females | 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 American dog tick and lone star tick are the ones people ask about most.
Which of these are dangerous?
American Dog Tick and Lone Star Tick 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.