Little black animals: what is it?

Small black critters often crawl and fly around, both indoors and outdoors. Most people are often not sure which insects these are. Since some can sting or are harmful, accurate identification is important.

thunderstorm creatures

The thunderstorm creatures are not flies, but small beetles. They belong to the insect family thrips and are also known as thrips. Although the little creatures have wings, they cannot fly very well with them. Many specimens are even completely flightless. Rather, they simply let themselves be carried by the wind and therefore occur more frequently in strong winds during a storm. During thunderstorms, thrips suddenly attach themselves to skin and clothing. In this way, the name thunderstorm animal has become common. When there are insufficient updrafts and thermals in the air for locomotion, the insects move by crawling.

• Scientific name: Thysanoptera
• Body is dark brown to black in color
• Small size from 1 to 3 millimeters
• Narrow wings with black and white horizontal stripes
• Wings are frayed on the outside
• Possess sharp mouthparts
• Suck sap from plants
• But they can also sting people
• However, the sting is harmless, like a mosquito bite

fungus gnats

Fungus gnats are small flies that live in pots of indoor plants. However, the animals can also infest plants in the garden. When watering the plants, the insects feel disturbed and fly up. In the room, the fungus gnats are very annoying and constantly buzzing around in the air. In addition, the larvae of the annoying pests can cause severe damage to the potted plants, as they eat away at the roots. As a result, the affected plants only grow poorly. Therefore, timely control of fungus gnats is extremely important.

• Scientific name: Sciaridae
• Fungus gnats appear in swarms
• Black-colored flying insects, only 2 to 6 millimeters in size
• Recognizable by the longer legs and antennae
• Form larger wings than fruit flies
• Are related to mosquitoes, but do not bite

mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are annoying insects whose bites are extremely itchy and, in extreme cases, can even become inflamed. The tormentors often show up at dusk and at night. Normally, mosquitoes feed on plants and their juices, but the females need blood for the development of the eggs immediately after mating. The bloodsuckers have potent mouthparts that can both sting and suck. In the males, however, these devices are regressed. If the bite is successful, the female mosquito injects a salivary secretion that has an inhibiting effect on blood clotting. This enables the mosquito to suck the host's blood unnoticed. Mosquitoes are attracted to the exhaled carbon dioxide and a strong body odor.

• Scientific name: Culicidae
• Reaches a length of 5 to 7 millimeters
• Black body with whitish band on abdomen
• Slim physique with noticeably long legs
• When sitting, lift the last pair of legs
• Narrow wings protrude a little beyond abdomen
• Forms long antennae with different segments
• Female proboscis is about as long as abdomen

grain weevil

The grain weevil belongs to the weevil family and has spread worldwide. The name is due to the fact that the insects often settle in granaries and mills. However, the small animals can also spread in domestic households. In the kitchen, insects like to nest in cupboards with food. As food sources, they prefer packs of dried vegetables and pasta. The grain weevil also likes dry pet food. Insects often appear at the open feeding places for domestic animals.

• Scientific name: Sitophilus granarius
• Reaching size of only 2 to 4 millimeters
• Young specimens are first colored brown
• Older beetles turn black over time
• They are harmless, but multiply quickly
• Infestation in living spaces can quickly become a plague

rape beetle

The small rape beetle feeds mainly on rape and other cruciferous plants. This little animal activates itself during the rapeseed bloom and also finds its way indoors. Normally, these insects disappear as soon as the oilseed rape has completely finished flowering. Although this type of beetle does not cause any major damage in the living space, many people are disgusted by the creepy-crawlies.

• Scientific name: Brassicogethes aeneus
• Body size of only about 2 millimeters
• Metallic black coloring, sometimes darker green
• Oval physique, antennae at the head end are thickened
• When infested, simply collect the beetles

bar weevil

The bar weevil is not one of the pests, but it can serve as an alarm signal in living spaces. Since the insect appears in wood that is infested with fungi, it acts as an indicator of mold and moisture. If the fungal infestation is combated, the little animal will disappear on its own because it can no longer find a basis for life.

• Scientific name: Stereocorynes truncorum
• Body is black to brown in color
• Forms stripes with dots on wings
• Becomes a maximum of 3 millimeters long
• Head has the shape of a trunk

grain mold beetle

The grain mold beetle is very similar to the flour beetle, but is darker in color. In addition, this beetle species prefers significantly higher temperatures, which is why the insects like to settle in bakeries. The little animal loves bread and baked goods, which are about to mold. Since its droppings can transmit harmful salmonella, the grain mold beetle is considered a health hazard and must be combated at all costs.

• Scientific name: Alphitobius diaperinus
• Shiny black body
• Grows up to 15 millimeters in size
• Short spike on abdomen
• Body and head are about the same size

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