Don't look now, but there is a multi-legged creature on your shoulder.

Residents of the quiet town of Maplewood were met with an unexpected—and often unsettling—discovery this week, as reports flooded in about small, multi-legged creatures appearing on unsuspecting individuals’ shoulders, arms, and even in hair. The phenomenon began on Monday morning when local teacher Clara Benson paused during her third-grade class to help a student with a math problem. “Don’t look now,” whispered one wide-eyed child, pointing at Benson’s collarbone, “but there’s a multi-legged creature on your shoulder!” The creature, later identified by entomologists as a previously undocumented species of pseudoscorpion, sparked both curiosity and alarm across the community.

Dr. Elena Rivera, an arachnid specialist at the nearby Ridgefield University, confirmed the species’ unique characteristics: measuring just 4 millimeters in length, the arthropod boasts ten legs, an iridescent exoskeleton, and pincers similar to those of a scorpion, though it lacks a tail and sting. “This appears to be a hybrid species, possibly evolving due to shifting ecosystems,” Rivera explained. “While their sudden presence is surprising, they’re harmless to humans. In fact, they prey on mites and lice, making them beneficial.”

Despite reassurances, the creatures’ sudden proliferation has left many residents uneasy. Social media erupted with anecdotes of encounters, from coffee shop baristas finding them clinging to aprons to hikers spotting them on trailside foliage. “I screamed loud enough to scare my dog off the couch,” admitted Maplewood resident Jordan Patel, who discovered one crawling on his sunglasses. Local shops reported a surge in sales of lint rollers and insect repellent, while the town council organized a community forum to address concerns.

Authorities have urged calm, emphasizing that the pseudoscorpions pose no health risk. “They’re more afraid of us than we are of them,” said Mayor Rosa García, who jokingly dubbed the critters “shoulder surfers” during a press conference. Biologists hypothesize that unseasonably warm temperatures and recent urban绿化 initiatives may have disrupted their habitat, driving them into populated areas. Genetic testing is underway to trace their origins, with early data suggesting links to species native to the Pacific Northwest.

For now, the incident has turned Maplewood into an inadvertent hub of scientific interest. School curriculum coordinator Mark Talbot announced plans for a student-led “community bio-blitz” to document local biodiversity. “This is a teachable moment,” he said. “Nature is full of surprises—sometimes right on your shoulder.” As researchers scramble to learn more, one thing remains clear: in Maplewood, checking your sleeves has become the new normal.