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. 2016 Jan 19;4:e1582. doi: 10.7717/peerj.1582

Table 1. List of arthropods found during the study present in at least 10% (n = 5) of homes.

Table includes the percentage of homes, rooms overall, and six specific room types (attics, basements, bathrooms, bedrooms, common areas, and kitchens) where a taxon was collected. One hundred twenty-eight additional families were collected, but were found in less than 10% (n = 5) of homes. For the full table containing all taxa (including genera and species that were identified) see Table S1. All names are based on current taxonomy except for mites, where “Acari” is used as a general order despite modern classifications that consider the group a subclass with numerous orders (Krantz & Walter, 2009). s.l. = sensu lato, i.e., “broad sense.”

Class Order Family Common name Homes (n = 50) Rooms (n = 554) Attic (n = 38) Basement (n = 54) Bath (n = 146) Bed (n = 160) Common (n = 97) Kitchen (n = 50)
Entognatha (non-insecthexapods) 88% 22.9% 5.3% 25.9% 15.8% 21.9% 37.1% 26.0%
Collembola (springtails) 88% 22.9% 5.3% 25.9% 15.8% 21.9% 37.1% 26.0%
Entomobryidae slender springtails 78% 19.1% 5.3% 20.4% 15.1% 16.9% 28.9% 24.0%
Tomoceridae elongate springtails 26% 3.6% 1.9% 0.7% 3.8% 9.3% 4.0%
Insecta (true insects) 100% 94.9% 78.9% 96.3% 91.1% 98.1% 97.9% 100.0%
Archaeognatha (jumping bristletails) 18% 2.5% 1.9% 2.7% 1.9% 5.2% 2.0%
Machilidae jumping bristletails 14% 2.0% 1.9% 1.4% 1.3% 5.2% 2.0%
Zygentoma (silverfish) 68% 21.3% 21.1% 3.7% 15.1% 23.1% 40.2% 16.0%
Lepismatidae silverfish & firebrats 68% 21.3% 21.1% 3.7% 15.1% 23.1% 40.2% 16.0%
Dermaptera (earwigs) 50% 7.6% 16.7% 4.1% 6.3% 14.4% 6.0%
Anisolabididae earwigs 26% 3.6% 9.3% 2.7% 2.5% 6.2% 2.0%
Forficulidae earwigs 24% 3.4% 7.4% 1.4% 3.1% 6.2% 4.0%
Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets & katydids) 76% 17.7% 2.6% 53.7% 7.5% 11.3% 29.9% 14.0%
Gryllidae crickets 30% 3.6% 5.6% 2.1% 3.8% 8.2%
Myrmecophilidae ant-loving crickets 10% 0.9% 2.1% 6.0%
Rhaphidophoridae camel & cave crickets 58% 12.8% 50.0% 5.5% 6.9% 19.6% 6.0%
Blattodea (cockroaches) 82% 25.5% 18.4% 33.3% 14.4% 26.3% 43.3% 18.0%
Blattidae cockroaches 74% 22.9% 15.8% 33.3% 12.3% 22.5% 40.2% 16.0%
Ectobiidae cockroaches 34% 4.3% 2.6% 5.6% 2.1% 3.8% 10.3% 2.0%
Isoptera (termites) 28% 4.9% 3.7% 1.4% 4.4% 12.4% 6.0%
Rhinotermitidae subterranean termites 28% 4.9% 3.7% 1.4% 4.4% 12.4% 6.0%
Hemiptera (true bugs) 98% 36.3% 7.9% 27.8% 18.5% 36.9% 68.0% 58.0%
Anthocoridae minute pirate bugs 42% 6.0% 2.7% 5.6% 16.5% 8.0%
Aphididae aphids 56% 7.6% 2.6% 7.4% 1.4% 6.3% 15.5% 20.0%
Cicadellidae leafhoppers 82% 16.2% 5.6% 8.9% 13.8% 37.1% 30.0%
Coreidae leaf-footed bugs 12% 1.1% 2.6% 1.3% 3.1%
Cydnidae burrowing bugs 28% 2.9% 2.6% 3.7% 1.4% 1.9% 8.2%
Delphacidae delphacid planthoppers 12% 1.4% 1.9% 1.4% 0.6% 3.1%
Lygaeidae seed bugs 10% 1.4% 0.7% 1.3% 4.1%
Miridae plant bugs 44% 6.5% 2.1% 5.6% 19.6% 8.0%
Pentatomidae stink bugs 22% 2.5% 5.3% 3.1% 5.2% 4.0%
Psyllidae s.l. jumping plant lice 10% 0.9% 0.7% 3.1% 2.0%
Reduviidae assassin bugs 28% 3.4% 3.7% 1.9% 11.3% 4.0%
Rhyparochromidae dirt-colored seed bugs 30% 3.8% 3.7% 4.1% 1.9% 9.3% 2.0%
Tingidae lace bugs 16% 1.6% 1.9% 1.4% 1.3% 4.1%
Psocodea (lice) 98% 43.1% 36.8% 24.1% 31.5% 50.6% 60.8% 46.0%
Ectopsocidae bark lice 16% 2.0% 2.5% 5.2% 4.0%
Lepidopsocidae scaly-winged bark lice 24% 4.3% 2.6% 0.7% 5.6% 13.4%
Liposcelididae book lice 98% 37.4% 34.2% 16.7% 28.1% 44.4% 52.6% 38.0%
Thysanoptera (thrips) 50% 7.0% 2.6% 5.6% 2.7% 4.4% 19.6% 8.0%
Phlaeothripidae tube-tailed thrips 14% 1.4% 1.9% 0.7% 0.6% 5.2%
Thripidae common thrips 32% 4.2% 2.6% 2.1% 2.5% 11.3% 6.0%
Hymenoptera (wasps, ants & bees) 100% 69.7% 50.0% 64.8% 50.7% 78.8% 85.6% 84.0%
Bethylidae bethylid wasps 28% 3.8% 1.9% 0.7% 2.5% 14.4% 2.0%
Braconidae braconid wasps 52% 7.6% 4.1% 8.8% 19.6% 6.0%
Ceraphronidae ceraphronid wasps 14% 1.4% 1.9% 7.2%
Chalcididae chalcidid wasps 14% 1.4% 0.7% 1.9% 4.1%
Diapriidae diapriid wasps 26% 2.5% 5.6% 1.3% 8.2% 2.0%
Encyrtidae encyrtid wasps 12% 1.4% 1.9% 4.1%
Eulophidae eulophid wasps 70% 17.0% 7.4% 13.0% 16.9% 30.9% 22.0%
Formicidae ants 100% 61.9% 47.4% 57.4% 41.8% 66.3% 81.4% 82.0%
Halictidae sweat bees 10% 0.9% 2.6% 1.9% 0.7% 4.0%
Ichneumonidae ichneumon wasps 38% 4.5% 2.6% 5.6% 1.4% 4.4% 9.3% 4.0%
Mymaridae fairyflies 26% 2.3% 0.7% 11.3% 2.0%
Platygastridae s.l. platygastrid wasps 58% 8.3% 6.2% 5.6% 27.8% 2.0%
Pompilidae spider wasps 34% 6.5% 2.6% 7.4% 2.7% 5.6% 17.5%
Pteromalidae pteromalid wasps 42% 4.9% 2.1% 3.8% 10.3% 16.0%
Sphecidae s.l. thread-waisted wasps 26% 3.2% 2.6% 1.9% 2.7% 3.8% 6.2%
Vespidae paper wasps & hornets 14% 1.6% 5.3% 1.9% - 1.9% 3.1%
Neuroptera (lacewings, antlions, etc.) 56% 6.9% 3.7% 2.7% 4.4% 20.6% 10.0%
Chrysopidae green lacewings 34% 3.6% 1.9% 1.4% 2.5% 11.3% 4.0%
Coniopterygidae dustywings 16% 1.4% 0.7% 1.3% 4.1% 2.0%
Hemerobiidae brown lacewings 18% 1.8% 7.2% 6.0%
Coleoptera (beetles) 100% 72.0% 44.7% 64.8% 54.1% 84.4% 91.8% 72.0%
Aderidae ant-like leaf beetles 22% 2.5% 0.7% 3.1% 5.2% 6.0%
Anobiidae death watch beetles 60% 12.1% 7.4% 5.5% 10.6% 30.9% 14.0%
Anthicidae ant-like flower beetles 18% 2.3% 2.6% 0.7% 1.9% 7.2%
Carabidae ground beetles 66% 9.9% 7.9% 33.3% 4.1% 6.9% 14.4% 2.0%
Cerambycidae longhorned beetles 16% 1.6% 0.7% 3.1% 3.1%
Chrysomelidae leaf beetles 46% 6.0% 1.4% 8.1% 17.5% 2.0%
Cleridae checkered beetles 18% 1.8% 1.4% 3.1% 3.1%
Coccinellidae ladybugs 52% 7.8% 5.3% 1.9% 0.7% 8.8% 22.7% 4.0%
Cryptophagidae silken fungus beetles 26% 3.2% 2.5% 12.4% 4.0%
Curculionidae weevils, bark beetles 82% 15.7% 2.6% 18.5% 9.6% 16.3% 34.0% 6.0%
Dermestidae carpet beetles 100% 57.0% 26.3% 22.2% 44.5% 71.3% 82.5% 58.0%
Elateridae click beetles 74% 14.6% 5.3% 13.0% 5.5% 12.5% 39.2% 8.0%
Histeridae clown beetles 10% 0.9% 1.9% 0.7% 0.6% 2.1%
Lampyridae fireflies 20% 2.2% 2.6% 1.9% 1.3% 6.2% 4.0%
Latridiidae minute brown scavenger beetles 38% 6.3% 1.9% 1.4% 5.6% 16.5% 12.0%
Melyridae soft-winged flower beetles 20% 2.9% 1.9% 2.7% 3.1% 5.2% 2.0%
Mordellidae tumbling flower beetles 24% 3.6% 2.6% 3.7% 0.7% 3.1% 8.2% 4.0%
Mycetophagidae hairy fungus beetles 20% 1.8% 2.6% 2.5% 4.1% 2.0%
Nitidulidae sap beetles 24% 3.1% 3.7% 2.5% 10.3% 2.0%
Phalacridae shining flower beetles 12% 1.3% 1.9% 0.6% 5.2%
Ptilodactylidae ptilodactylid beetles 30% 4.9% 2.6% 3.7% 2.1% 5.6% 9.3% 6.0%
Scarabaeidae scarab beetles 52% 9.4% 5.3% 13.0% 2.7% 8.1% 20.6% 10.0%
Scraptiidae false flower beetles 20% 2.0% 0.7% 1.9% 6.2% 2.0%
Silvanidae flat bark beetles 46% 6.5% 9.3% 2.1% 5.0% 17.5% 4.0%
Staphylinidae rove beetles 54% 7.2% 7.4% 4.8% 5.0% 17.5% 6.0%
Tenebrionidae darkling beetles 62% 11.2% 5.3% 16.7% 4.8% 11.3% 24.7% 2.0%
Throscidae false metallic wood boring beetles 22% 2.7% 1.9% 0.7% 1.9% 9.3% 2.0%
Trogossitidae bark gnawing beetles 16% 1.4% 0.7% 0.6% 6.2%
Zopheridae ironclad beetles 16% 1.4% 2.5% 1.0% 6.0%
Lepidoptera (moths & butterflies) 92% 28.7% 16.7% 11.6% 33.8% 56.7% 38.0%
Geometridae geometrid moths 12% 1.6% 1.9% 0.7% 1.9% 2.1% 2.0%
Noctuidae owlet moths 44% 5.8% 3.7% 4.1% 5.0% 12.4% 6.0%
Pyralidae pyralid moths 62% 11.0% 3.7% 4.8% 12.5% 21.6% 22.0%
Tineidae clothes moths 60% 8.8% 5.5% 9.4% 19.6% 10.0%
Tortricidae leafroller moths 10% 1.1% 0.7% 0.6% 4.1%
Trichoptera (caddisflies) 12% 1.1% 0.7% 1.3% 3.1%
Siphonaptera (fleas) 10% 1.4% 2.7% 1.3% 1.0% 2.0%
Pulicidae cat, dog & human fleas 10% 1.4% 2.7% 1.3% 1.0% 2.0%
Diptera (true flies) 100% 71.8% 18.4% 50.0% 66.4% 85.6% 85.6% 80.0%
Agromyzidae leafminer flies 12% 1.1% 0.7% 0.6% 3.1% 2.0%
Anisopodidae wood gnats 10% 0.9% 0.6% 3.1% 2.0%
Anthomyiidae root maggot flies 10% 0.9% 1.3% 1.0% 4.0%
Bibionidae march flies, lovebugs 26% 2.7% 0.7% 3.8% 7.2% 2.0%
Calliphoridae blow flies 48% 8.1% 5.6% 2.7% 7.5% 23.7% 6.0%
Cecidomyiidae gall midges 100% 36.1% 10.5% 16.7% 30.1% 33.8% 63.9% 46.0%
Ceratopogonidae biting midges 54% 7.6% 3.4% 8.8% 18.6% 10.0%
Chaoboridae phantom midges 14% 3.4% 3.4% 1.9% 8.2% 6.0%
Chironomidae non-biting midges 80% 17.0% 3.7% 8.9% 13.8% 42.3% 30.0%
Chloropidae frit flies 28% 4.3% 3.4% 3.1% 10.3% 8.0%
Culicidae mosquitoes 82% 19.0% 5.6% 7.5% 24.4% 41.2% 22.0%
Dolichopodidae longlegged flies 44% 4.9% 3.7% 2.7% 4.4% 12.4% 4.0%
Drosophilidae fruit flies, vinegar flies 66% 13.7% 5.6% 4.8% 15.6% 29.9% 22.0%
Empididae s.l. dance flies 16% 1.8% 1.9% 0.7% 1.3% 6.2%
Ephydridae shore flies 14% 1.4% 1.4% 6.2%
Fanniidae lesser house flies 10% 1.1% 1.9% 0.7% 0.6% 1.0% 4.0%
Lauxaniidae lauxaniid flies 16% 1.6% 0.7% 1.3% 6.2%
Milichiidae freeloader flies 14% 1.6% 0.7% 1.9% 4.1%
Muscidae house & stable flies 44% 6.3% 2.6% 5.6% 1.4% 5.6% 16.5% 4.0%
Mycetophilidae s.l. fungus gnats 68% 16.2% 9.3% 8.2% 20.6% 37.1% 6.0%
Phoridae scuttle flies 82% 17.3% 20.4% 6.2% 16.9% 39.2% 18.0%
Psychodidae moth flies 74% 18.8% 9.3% 14.4% 18.1% 41.2% 14.0%
Sarcophagidae flesh flies 38% 5.1% 2.7% 4.4% 12.4% 6.0%
Scatopsidae minute black scavenger flies 50% 6.9% 1.9% 5.5% 4.4% 16.5% 10.0%
Sciaridae dark-winged fungus gnats 96% 42.1% 22.2% 35.6% 49.4% 64.9% 42.0%
Sphaeroceridae lesser dung flies 28% 3.4% 2.6% 11.1% 2.1% 2.5% 5.2%
Stratiomyidae soldier flies 22% 2.3% 1.9% 0.7% 0.6% 8.2% 2.0%
Tachinidae tachinid flies 18% 1.6% 1.9% 5.2% 2.0%
Tipulidae s.l. crane flies 74% 15.9% 2.6% 7.4% 11.0% 16.9% 32.0% 18.0%
Trichoceridae winter crane flies 20% 2.3% 1.9% 2.1% 1.9% 6.2%
Arachnida (arachnids) 100% 79.6% 47.4% 94.4% 68.5% 78.1% 96.9% 90.0%
Araneae (spiders) 100% 78.5% 47.4% 92.6% 68.5% 75.6% 96.9% 88.0%
Agelenidae funnel weavers, grass spiders 46% 8.3% 2.6% 20.4% 2.1% 6.9% 16.5% 6.0%
Anyphaenidae ghost spiders 30% 4.3% 1.9% 0.7% 5.6% 11.3% 4.0%
Araneidae orb weavers 18% 2.2% 1.9% 1.4% 1.3% 6.2% 2.0%
Clubionidae sac spiders 10% 0.9% 4.1% 2.0%
Corinnidae antmimics, ground spiders 38% 6.0% 5.3% 9.3% 1.4% 6.9% 11.3% 4.0%
Gnaphosidae ground spiders 48% 8.1% 5.6% 3.4% 10.0% 20.6% 2.0%
Linyphiidae sheetweb & dwarf spiders 22% 2.9% 3.7% 1.3% 10.3% 2.0%
Lycosidae wolf spiders 40% 5.8% 2.6% 5.6% 2.1% 2.5% 16.5% 8.0%
Oecobiidae wall spiders 28% 8.8% 2.6% 6.2% 10.0% 18.6% 8.0%
Oonopidae goblin spiders 16% 3.2% 5.3% 2.1% 3.8% 6.2% 2.0%
Pholcidae cellar spiders 84% 28.0% 7.9% 38.9% 19.2% 18.1% 56.7% 32.0%
Salticidae jumping spiders 50% 8.3% 2.6% 3.7% 2.7% 7.5% 22.7% 6.0%
Scytodidae spitting spiders 16% 2.7% 1.9% 3.4% 2.5% 4.1% 2.0%
Theridiidae cobweb spiders 100% 65.3% 39.5% 77.8% 55.5% 61.3% 87.6% 70.0%
Thomisidae crab spiders 32% 3.4% 2.6% 1.9% 4.4% 9.3% 2.0%
“Acari” (mites) 76% 18.6% 5.3% 46.3% 4.8% 17.5% 36.1% 10.0%
Galumnidae armored mites 12% 1.1% 1.9% 0.6% 4.1%
Ixodidae hard ticks 18% 2.0% 0.7% 1.9% 7.2%
UnID Oribatida armored mites 46% 6.0% 22.2% 1.4% 3.8% 12.4% 2.0%
Pyroglyphidae dust mites 76% NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
Opiliones (harvestmen & daddy-longlegs) 16% 2.3% 2.6% 3.7% 0.7% 2.5% 5.2% -
Pseudoscorpionida (pseudoscorpions) 20% 2.7% 3.7% 0.7% 0.6% 10.3% 2.0%
Chilopoda (centipedes) 42% 9.2% 16.7% 4.1% 9.4% 16.5% 10.0%
Lithobiomorpha (stone centipedes) 18% 1.8% 1.9% 1.9% 5.2% 2.0%
Lithobiidae stone centipedes 14% 1.3% 1.9% 1.9% 2.1% 2.0%
Scolopendromorpha (tropical centipedes) 12% 2.2% 5.6% 0.7% 1.9% 5.2%
Scolopendridae tropical centipedes 12% 2.2% 5.6% 0.7% 1.9% 5.2%
Scutigeromorpha (house centipedes) 32% 6.9% 13.0% 3.4% 6.9% 10.3% 10.0%
Scutigeridae house centipedes 32% 6.9% 13.0% 3.4% 6.9% 10.3% 10.0%
Diplopoda (millipedes) 82% 21.1% 5.3% 63.0% 6.2% 15.0% 38.1% 16.0%
Callipodida (crested millipedes) 10% 1.8% 5.6% 2.5% 3.1%
Abacionidae crested millipedes 10% 1.8% 5.6% 2.5% 3.1%
Julida (julid millipedes) 42% 4.7% 18.5% 2.1% 2.5% 9.3%
Julidae millipedes 38% 3.8% 11.1% 2.1% 2.5% 8.2%
Polydesmida (flat-backed millipedes) 72% 17.7% 5.3% 57.4% 4.8% 13.1% 29.9% 14.0%
Paradoxosomatidae greenhouse millipedes 58% 12.6% 2.6% 42.6% 2.7% 9.4% 22.7% 10.0%
Polydesmidae flat-backed millipedes 26% 4.3% 16.7% 1.4% 1.3% 8.2% 4.0%
Spirobolida (round-backed millipedes) 20% 2.3% 14.8% 0.7% 3.1% 2.0%
Spirobolidae round-backed millipedes 18% 2.2% 14.8% 0.7% 2.1% 2.0%
Malacostraca (crustaceans) 86% 23.8% 5.3% 57.4% 14.4% 20.0% 34.0% 22.0%
Isopoda (isopods) 84% 23.6% 5.3% 57.4% 14.4% 20.0% 34.0% 20.0%
Armadillidiidae pillbugs & roly polies 78% 22.0% 5.3% 48.1% 13.7% 18.8% 33.0% 20.0%
Porcellionidae woodlice & sowbugs 20% 4.2% 14.8% 1.4% 3.8% 5.2% 4.0%