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VERIFY: It’s A Weevil, Not A Flying Tick

You ask; we VERIFY. A viewer inquired about the real identity about a common spring bug that looks like a flying tick.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — 'Tis the season for creepy crawlies, coming out for spring and invading our homes. The Triad area has a fair share of unusual creatures, including some of the most concerning, like ticks.

VERIFY QUESTION

Good Morning Show viewer Ms. H. emailed asking, "I was wondering if you could tell me what kind of bug this is. It has a hard shell, but when it lands on you, it doesn't stay still or attach to you."

Credit: Viewer Ms. H.

The creature in the picture is so tiny, it's hard to decipher its identity, though it somewhat resembles a tick. VERIFY's Meghann Mollerus sent it to an expert and consulted reliable resources to VERIFY.

VERIFY SOURCE

VERIFY PROCESS

Fowler and the NC State Extension agree the bug in Ms. H.'s picture looks like a weevil. There are several types of weevils. The most common to North Carolina is the annual bluegrass weevil. Weevils typically peak in mid-May in western North Carolina. Historically, bluegrass weevils destroy bluegrass, hence their name, but they don't harm people.   

Compared to a tick, a weevil has six legs versus a tick, which has eight. A weevil has a snout, and some weevils have yellow legs. Ticks do not. Weevils also can fly, whereas ticks cannot.

Credit: WFMY News 2

VERIFY CONCLUSION

The bug in the viewer's picture is likely a weevil. It's in season, but it won't harm you. If you find a weevil in your home, you can vacuum it up.

Do you have a VERIFY inquiry? Submit a selfie video to Meghann Mollerus via:

E-mail: Mmollerus@wfmy.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/MeghannMollerusNews

Twitter: @MeghannMollerus

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