Common Insects and Mites: Aphids categories: Common Insects & Mites Common Problems revision date: 2022-11-23 01:00 Aphid colonyPhoto by: Unknown Biology Many species of aphids attack ornamental plants. Some are fairly host-specific, while others may attack a dozen or more different host species. In some cases, aphids may only withdraw nutrients and moisture with their […]
Common Insects and Mites: Asian lady beetle categories: Common Insects & Mites Common Problems revision date: 2022-11-23 12:57 Cluster of Asian lady beetlesPhoto by: A.L. Antonelli Biology Common in Japan, Korea, and other parts of Asia, the Asian lady beetle was introduced by USDA Agricultural Research scientists in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s as […]
Common Insects and Mites: Bark beetles categories: Common Insects & Mites Common Problems revision date: 2022-11-23 12:53 Bark beetle larval galleriesPhoto by: A.L. Antonelli Biology One or more species of bark beetle attack virtually all trees in the Pacific Northwest. Most bark beetles are secondary pests, attacking trees already stressed from other causes. However, one […]
Common Insects and Mites: Brown marmorated stink bug categories: Common Insects & Mites Common Problems revision date: 2022-11-23 12:50 Adult brown marmorated stink bugPhoto by: D.R. Lance, USDA-APHIS Biology The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is an introduced pest species from Asia that is spreading quickly across the United States. Nymphs and adults feed on […]
Common Insects and Mites: Brown soft scale categories: Common Insects & Mites Common Problems revision date: 2022-11-23 12:48 Brown soft scalesPhoto by: R.S. Byther Biology Brown soft scale appears as a small, brown or pale yellow, flat disk. While it is more commonly a greenhouse pest, it can be a serious pest of outdoor plants, […]
Common Insects and Mites: California gallfly categories: Common Insects & Mites Common Problems revision date: 2022-11-23 12:46 “Oak apples” caused by California gallflyPhoto by: R.S. Byther Biology The gall of this cynipid wasp larva is the largest and most conspicuous of the galls on oak. It is a twig gall that is often called ‘oak […]
Common Insects and Mites: Conifer aphids categories: Common Insects & Mites Common Problems revision date: 2022-11-23 12:29 Giant conifer aphids on pinePhoto by: A.L. Antonelli Biology Conifer aphids are often large black aphids that attack only coniferous trees. There are a few species that are smaller, green, and develop powdery white waxy material over their […]
Common Insects and Mites: Cottony camellia scale categories: Common Insects & Mites Common Problems revision date: 2022-11-23 12:27 Cottony camellia scale on holly leavesPhoto by: A.L. Antonelli Biology The cottony camellia scale is a flat brownish or yellowish insect about 1/8″ in diameter. The scales overwinter on twigs or evergreen leaves. In the spring, the […]
Common Insects and Mites: Cutworms and loopers categories: Common Insects & Mites Common Problems revision date: 2022-11-23 12:20 Climbing cutworm, dark brown and hairlessPhoto by: K. Grey Biology Cutworms and loopers are the larval stages of moths in the family commonly referred to as “millers”. They are usually hairless caterpillars and exhibit wide variation in […]
Common Insects and Mites: Earwigs categories: Common Insects & Mites Common Problems revision date: 2022-11-23 12:15 Earwigs feeding on cucumberPhoto by: T. Hudson Biology Earwigs are reddish-brown insects about 3/4″ or less in length. Both males and females have pincers at the rear end. Earwigs are largely beneficial, feeding on many pests such as aphids […]
Common Insects and Mites: Eriophyid mites categories: Common Insects & Mites Common Problems revision date: 2022-11-23 12:12 Eriophyid mites causing twisted pine needlesPhoto by: L.J. du Toit Biology Eriophyid mites are very tiny, white or yellowish, worm-like, and spindle-shaped. Their bodies have definite annulations or rings, and only two pairs of legs directly behind the […]
Common Insects and Mites: Exotic longhorned beetles categories: Common Insects & Mites Common Problems revision date: 2022-12-16 12:00 Asian longhorned beetle adultPhoto by: Kenneth R. Law, USDA APHIS PPQ Biology Native longhorned beetles (Cerambycids) feed in weakened, dying, or recently dead or downed timber, not healthy living trees; however, non-native species such as the Asian […]
Common Insects and Mites: Fall webworm categories: Common Insects & Mites Common Problems revision date: 2022-11-22 04:20 Fall webworm and leaf damagePhoto by: S.J. Collman Biology Fall webworm caterpillars feed on the foliage of a variety of trees and shrubs. Conspicuously hairy, they appear rusty tan with a dark, almost black, body color. Some populations […]
Common Insects and Mites: Inchworms categories: Common Insects & Mites Common Problems revision date: 2022-11-22 04:13 Winter moth larva (inchworm) and damagePhoto by: A.L. Antonelli Biology Inchworms or measuring worms (sometimes called spanworms) belong to a family of moths called geometers and feed largely on ornamentals (e.g., rhododendron) and native trees and shrubs. There are […]
Common Insects and Mites: Leafhoppers categories: Common Insects & Mites Common Problems revision date: 2022-11-22 04:05 Leafhoppers on maple leafPhoto by: A.L. Antonelli Biology Leafhoppers are sucking pests related to aphids. They can be quite colorful, but this is lost on their small size (up to about 1/4 inch). As implied by their name, these […]
Common Insects and Mites: Leafminers categories: Common Insects & Mites Common Problems revision date: 2022-11-22 04:00 Rose leafminer damagePhoto by: A.L. Antonelli Biology Leafminers are common on many plants; however, they are fairly host-specific. If you know the plant species where a leafminer is feeding, you can name the leafminer based on the plant species […]
Common Insects and Mites: Leafrollers categories: Common Insects & Mites Common Problems revision date: 2022-11-22 03:55 Leafroller damage showing rolled leafPhoto by: A.L. Antonelli Biology Leafrollers are the caterpillar (larval) stage of several different moth species. These rather small caterpillars vary in color from brownish to pale or dark green. They generally have a shiny […]
Common Insects and Mites: Lecanium scale categories: Common Insects & Mites Common Problems revision date: 2022-11-22 03:49 Lecanium scales on twigPhoto by: R.S. Byther Biology Lecanium scales are a complex of scale species ranging from variously mottled to all brown. The mature female scales look like bumps on twigs, while the mature males are flat, […]
Common Insects and Mites: Oystershell scale categories: Common Insects & Mites Common Problems revision date: 2022-11-22 03:47 Severe oystershell scale infestation on twigPhoto by: Unknown Biology Oystershell scale is one of many armored scales that attack landscape plants. They are usually found on the bark of trunks, branches, and twigs. Rather small and flat with […]
Common Insects and Mites: Pamphilid sawflies categories: Common Insects & Mites Common Problems revision date: 2022-11-22 03:46 Pine pamphilid sawfly larvaPhoto by: A.L. Antonelli Biology Sawflies are primitive wasps that do not sting. There are several families including pamphilids. Most of them are herbivores and while some feed on deciduous trees, most of the species […]