Yellow Bugs Without Wings: 6 Types
These are the 6 most common yellow 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 6 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.
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.
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.
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.
Yellow Garden Spider
Yellow Garden SpiderArgiope aurantiaA large black-and-yellow orb weaver that spins a big circular web with a thick zigzag band in the center. It sits head-down in the hub of the web in sunny gardens.
Tell-tale sign: Black and bright yellow patterned abdomen. Risk: Yellow garden spiders are not aggressive; a bite is rare and similar to a bee sting.
Which ones should you worry about?
1 of the 6 bugs in this guide can bite or sting. The ones to take seriously are Arizona bark scorpion. The rest are harmless or simply a nuisance.
Comparison at a glance
| Arizona Bark Scorpion | Aphid | House Centipede | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group | Ticks, Mites & Other Arachnids | True Bugs | Centipedes, Millipedes & Crawlers |
| Scientific name | Centruroides sculpturatus | Aphidoidea superfamily | Scutigera coleoptrata |
| Size | 50–80 mm | 1–3 mm | 25–35 mm |
| Colors | Tan and Yellow | Green, Black, White and Yellow | Gray, Tan and Yellow |
| Legs | 8 legs | 6 legs | many legs (30 or more) |
| Wings | No | No | No |
| Bites or stings | Stings | No | Bites |
| Risk | Health risk | Nuisance | Nuisance |
| Key feature | Thin, light yellowish-tan body and slender pincers | Pear-shaped, soft body, often green or black | Fifteen pairs of long, banded legs |
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common one?
Among the bugs in this guide, the Arizona bark scorpion and aphid are the ones people ask about most.
Which of these are dangerous?
Arizona Bark Scorpion 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.