Common Insects and Mites: Aphids categories: All Insects Common Insects and Mites Common Problems last review date: 2026-04-29 10:25 Numerous lady beetle larvae and lone spider feasting on large aphid colony. Photo by: Craig Lawrence – WSU Extension Master Gardener Biology Many species of aphids attack ornamental plants. Some are fairly host-specific, while others may […]
Common Insects and Mites: Asian lady beetle categories: Common Insects and Mites Common Problems last review date: 2025-07-08 11:16 Cluster of Asian lady beetles Photo 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 […]
Common Insects and Mites: Bark beetles categories: Common Insects and Mites Common Problems last review date: 2026-04-13 11:28 Bark beetle larval galleries Photo 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. […]
Common Insects and Mites: Brown marmorated stink bug categories: Common Insects and Mites Common Problems last review date: 2026-04-13 11:45 Adult brown marmorated stink bug Photo 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 […]
Common Insects and Mites: Brown soft scale categories: Common Insects and Mites Common Problems last review date: 2026-04-14 07:47 Brown soft scales Photo 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 […]
Common Insects and Mites: California gallfly categories: Common Insects and Mites Common Problems last review date: 2026-04-14 08:08 “Oak apples” caused by California gallfly Photo 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 […]
Common Insects and Mites: Conifer aphids categories: Common Insects and Mites Common Problems last review date: 2026-04-14 08:54 Giant conifer aphids on pine Photo 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 […]
Common Insects and Mites: Cottony camellia scale categories: Common Insects and Mites Common Problems last review date: 2026-04-14 10:43 Cottony camellia scale on holly leaves Photo 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 […]
Common Insects and Mites: Cutworms and loopers categories: Common Insects and Mites Common Problems last review date: 2026-04-14 11:07 Climbing cutworm, dark brown and hairless Photo by: K. Grey Biology Cutworms and looper are the larval stages of moths in the family commonly referred to as “millers”. They are usually hairless caterpillars and exhibit wide […]
Common Insects and Mites: Earwigs categories: Common Insects and Mites Common Problems last review date: 2026-04-14 12:37 Earwigs feeding on cucumber Photo by: T. Hudson Biology Earwigs are reddish-brown insects about 3/4 inch or less in length. Both males and females have pincers at the rear end. Earwigs are largely beneficial, feeding on many pests […]
Common Insects and Mites: Eriophyid mites categories: Common Insects and Mites Common Problems last review date: 2026-04-14 12:56 Eriophyid mites causing twisted pine needles Photo 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 […]
Common Insects and Mites: Exotic longhorned beetles categories: Common Insects and Mites Common Problems last review date: 2026-04-14 01:02 Asian longhorned beetle adult Photo 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 […]
Common Insects and Mites: Fall webworm categories: Common Insects and Mites Common Problems last review date: 2026-04-14 01:09 Fall webworm and leaf damage Photo 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. […]
Common Insects and Mites: Inchworms categories: Common Insects and Mites Common Problems last review date: 2026-04-14 01:19 Winter moth larva (inchworm) and damage Photo 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. […]
Common Insects and Mites: Leafhoppers categories: Common Insects and Mites Common Problems last review date: 2026-04-14 02:22 Leafhoppers on maple leaf Photo 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 […]
Common Insects and Mites: Leafminers categories: Common Insects and Mites Common Problems last review date: 2026-04-14 02:37 Rose leafminer damage Photo 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 […]
Common Insects and Mites: Leafrollers categories: Common Insects and Mites Common Problems last review date: 2026-04-14 02:44 Leafroller damage showing rolled leaf Photo 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 […]
Common Insects and Mites: Lecanium scale categories: Common Insects and Mites Common Problems last review date: 2026-04-14 03:07 Lecanium scales on twig Photo 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 […]
Common Insects and Mites: Oystershell scale categories: Common Insects and Mites Common Problems last review date: 2026-04-15 10:32 Severe oystershell scale infestation on twig Photo 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 […]
Common Insects and Mites: Pamphilid sawflies categories: Common Insects and Mites Common Problems last review date: 2026-04-15 10:44 Pine pamphilid sawfly larva Photo 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 […]