# Identification required please

**URL:** <https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/identification-required-please/24920>\
**Category:** Pests and Diseases\
**Created:** [March 9, 2020, 11:14am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/identification-required-please/24920 "2020-03-09T11:14:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![The\_garden\_rooftop](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/the_garden_rooftop/32/21246_2.png) [@The\_garden\_rooftop](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/The_garden_rooftop)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2020, 11:14am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/identification-required-please/24920/1 "2020-03-09T11:14:38Z")

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Hi,

We’re currently dealing with a small hive beetle issue with some garden lime on the base board. Have also ordered a trap to place inside the hive.

Whilst checking the base board I came across this little critter. Does anyone know what it is?

Is it harmful and how can it be controlled?

Thanks!

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/honeyflow/original/3X/7/5/757301b166a2f5d33a00775f84c89997062206c8.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![Wandjina](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/wandjina/32/20860_2.png) [@Wandjina](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Wandjina)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2020, 11:55am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/identification-required-please/24920/2 "2020-03-09T11:55:18Z")

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That is an Earwig. Not harmful to bees at all.

I have plenty in the compost bins.

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**Author:** ![JeffH](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/jeffh/32/7192_2.png) [@JeffH](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/JeffH)\
**Post date:** [March 10, 2020, 12:41am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/identification-required-please/24920/3 "2020-03-10T00:41:14Z")

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I wouldn’t be surprised if they are full of protein & one of the insects future generations will be eating as a staple.

I watched an episode of The Americas with Simon Reeve last night. He tucked into a feed of fried crickets in Mexico. He reckoned they were beautiful & crunchy.

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**Author:** ![Wandjina](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/wandjina/32/20860_2.png) [@Wandjina](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Wandjina)\
**Post date:** [March 10, 2020, 9:03am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/identification-required-please/24920/4 "2020-03-10T09:03:41Z")

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> [@JeffH](#):
>
> one of the insects future generations will be eating as a staple.

I have a recipe for cockroaches if interested. You eat them like artichoke leaves - hold them by the wings from the back, put it head first between your teeth without biting, then pull and scrape all the “protein” with your bottom incisors. Yum…

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**Author:** ![JeffH](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/jeffh/32/7192_2.png) [@JeffH](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/JeffH)\
**Post date:** [March 10, 2020, 9:44am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/identification-required-please/24920/5 "2020-03-10T09:44:22Z")

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It sounds interesting & yummy Olly, however I’d feel guilty eating them while my butcher bird friends miss out. They really enjoy them.