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The Web is swarming with resources to help you identify the six-legged creature that's crawling across your floor. We collected quite a few sites by searching on "identify insect" and "identify bug." Before you squash that weird looking critter, take a moment to figure out just what type of bug is bugging you. Since you live in California, try CityBugs, a friendly guide from the University of California, Berkeley, that can help you identify that creepy crawly thing you found. A guided search walks you through the
identification process step by step. "Collect" your specimen, review the diagram of basic bug parts, and answer some questions describing your little friend. If you think you can identify the insect you're dealing with and just need confirmation, check out the site's virtual bug collection, with insect images sorted by scientific order. Or email their expert entomologists for help. If you have the latest Netscape browser with JavaScript enabled, Bug-Net provides an
interactive insect identification key. You use a process of elimination to locate your insect's order. (In the taxonomy system used by scientists to classify and identify all living creatures, an order contains a genus, and a genus consists of a variety of unique species.) If you're not using Netscape, try this handy text-based bug key instead. Although neither key pinpoints an exact species, you'll find out if you're dealing with a beetle, bug, flea, or fly. Want to name that bug? A page from Clemson University lists some of the more common household pests. Or scan these mug shots to
see if you recognize your little visitor. If all else fails, you can always appeal to the (gasp!) offline world for help -- contact the entomology department of a local university or natural history museum. Are you already an expert? Test your insect IQ with a round of Name That Bug.
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