What is this bug?

[Waveracer200]

I recently found this bug in my bilge. I have not a clue what it is. The boat is located in miami Florida. It seems not not like light when I flash my flashlight into the bilge. The bug itself is about the size of a pin head. Very hard to see or take a picture of but u can see it. I have a pic of it on a razer blade. Let me know what you think. Thanks for your help!

[Tetepare]

The insect is out of focus, so it's hard to tell. I'm leaning toward a feather antennae beetle, but it could be a thrip.

[Three Sisters]

Looks similar to the Skull Island Fiberglass Borer. Likely a newborn.

Was Momma anywhere to be found ? Not to worry, they only grow to a couple of pounds if I remember correctly.

[landsend]

Are they edible?

[CatboatWilly]

Those are mites common to boats in Florida. Sort of gray-ish in color, very small ( two could fit on the head of a pin) and easily exterminated using commercial products. It is said they feed off the plywood products in your boat.

[taxwizz]

It looks like a bug.

Solution....

[toddster8]

There is usually somebody at your state university agricultural extension office who can take these sorts of questions.

[SV Bacchus]

Originally Posted by toddster8

There is usually somebody at your state university agricultural extension office who can take these sorts of questions.

The University of Florida has Agricultural Extension Offices in several areas around the state, I know we have one here in Tampa.

If you don't have one close to you see if you can get a clearer picture and email them. They can tell you what it is and how to get rid of it.

[Knobee]

You may also want to ask over at https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthisbug/

The community there have been really (amazingly) good at identifying just about any bug that they've been shown.

[zeehag]

looks like a white cucarocha.
or a white wood borer bug. this boat had black wood bugs.

[Beavereater]

You appear to have found a Collembola, or Springtail.They feed on fungus in high humidity environments. Clean the bilge thoroughly with a good fungicide, and remove any organic material that fungus can grow on. Drying the environment out is the best cure if possible.Most residual insecticides do not work well on this pest. If You can get your hands on some Alpine WSG it may work.

[barnakiel]

Looks like a chrysalis of the Teredo navalis.

What material is your boat?

b.

[Hudson Force]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Looks like a chrysalis of the Teredo navalis.

What material is your boat?

b.

This is likely just a fun frightful thought made in jest. The Teredo Navals is actually a mollusk with no chrysalis or any structure like the photo. Teredo "worms" are salt water clams!

'but a scary thought for a wood boat!

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by Hudson Force

This is likely just a fun frightful thought made in jest. The Teredo Navals is actually a mollusk with no chrysalis or any structure like the photo. Teredo "worms" are salt water clams!

'but a scary thought for a wood boat!

+1!

;-) ;-) ;-)

Yes. Only a joke.

Love,
barnakiel

[Wotname]

It's a polyester-mite and quite common on fibreglass boats. Get rid of them ASAP!