identify black bug with stinger?

Posted by sophie on September 21, 2003 at 05:12:58:

i need some help. i've killed several of these bugs in my apartment so far, but have no idea what they are.

the bug is black, with a hard-ish shell (at least it crunches when i kill it). it is narrow and long, with at least 2 segments. it has a long tail segment, which ends in what almost looks like a stinger. it is forked, and the bug can curl it like a scorpion. it has no pinchers, and its legs are short.

i live in northern california, near sacramento. anyone have any ideas what it could be?

Follow Ups:

• Re: identify black bug with stinger? Wallace 07:26:27 9/21/2003 (2)
  • Re: identify black bug with stinger? Heather 12:28:59 9/21/2003 (1)
    • Re: identify black bug with stinger? sophie 22:59:20 9/21/2003 (0)
• Re: identify black bug with stinger? Wallace 07:20:33 9/21/2003 (1)
  • Re: identify black bug with stinger? sophie 22:56:37 9/21/2003 (0)
• Re: identify black bug with stinger? Wallace 07:19:50 9/21/2003 (1)
  • Re: identify black bug with stinger? Wallace 07:35:21 9/21/2003 (0)