# What the heck is this bug in my bathtub? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 11, 2008, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-this-bug-in-my-bathtub/459588 "2008-08-11T08:25:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2008, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-this-bug-in-my-bathtub/459588/1 "2008-08-11T08:25:07Z")
This is the second time I’ve spotted this ugly little fella in my bathtub. I’ve never seen one of these before: [http://www.mister-rik.com/hosted/bug1.jpg](http://www.mister-rik.com/hosted/bug1.jpg) [http://www.mister-rik.com/hosted/bug2.jpg](http://www.mister-rik.com/hosted/bug2.jpg) [http://www.mister-rik.com/hosted/bug3.jpg](http://www.mister-rik.com/hosted/bug3.jpg) The actual bug is about one inch long. It’s kinda ant-like, except for that elongated abdomen. There appears to be a “stinger” or something similar-looking on the posterior. The elongated abdomen is very flexible - when I experimentally poked a finger toward the bug it arched its butt up as if it meant to sting me. It doesn’t seem to be able to crawl out of the tub. The first time I saw it, it fell down the drain, which was full of water. I assumed it would drown, but apparently it didn’t (unless this is a different individual). What the hell is it? Is it dangerous? ETA: Geographical location is central Washington state. ---
**Author:** ![protruding\_cobblestone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a88e4f/32.png) [@protruding\_cobblestone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/protruding_cobblestone)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2008, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-this-bug-in-my-bathtub/459588/2 "2008-08-11T08:48:24Z")
Looks like some type of [earwig](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earwigs). (found via [http://bugguide.net/](http://bugguide.net/)) ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2008, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-this-bug-in-my-bathtub/459588/3 "2008-08-11T09:16:35Z")
Looks like a [devil’s coach horse beetle](http://images.google.co.uk/images?q=devil's%20coach%20horse%20beetle) to me. They’re considered beneficial in the garden, as they eat slugs. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2008, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-this-bug-in-my-bathtub/459588/4 "2008-08-11T09:16:50Z")
I was gonna say earwig, but it doesn’t quite look like one that I’m more familiar with. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2008, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-this-bug-in-my-bathtub/459588/5 "2008-08-11T13:05:16Z")
I’d say a type of earwig, from looks of it. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2008, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-this-bug-in-my-bathtub/459588/6 "2008-08-11T13:57:47Z")
Earwig. They like moisture organic material and darkness. Bathrooms are great for them. You want to kill any you see. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2008, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-this-bug-in-my-bathtub/459588/7 "2008-08-11T16:08:15Z")
[QUOTE=Mangetout] Looks like a [devil’s coach horse beetle](http://images.google.co.uk/images?q=devil's%20coach%20horse%20beetle) to me. [/QUOTE] I think we have a winner - [this describes it](http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/wildlifegarden/atoz/d/devilscoachhorse.asp?view=print) well: “At first glance you could mistake it for an earwig.” Earwigs - I’ve seen plenty of earwigs in my life, and I knew this wasn’t one. Thanks, **Mangetout** 🙂