identification of common landscape pests and beneficial

Identification of CommonLandscape Pests and Beneficial

Organisms in Nevada

Helpful or H

armful?

Find Out Inside

Do Not Kill Insects Unless You Know!

Special Publication 06-08

Cover PhotographsJeff Knight, State Entomologist,

Nevada Department of Agriculture

Center Right - Leaf-footed Assassin BugLower Right Corner - Jerusalem CricketLower Left Corner - Mormon CricketsCenter Left - Praying MantisUpper Left Corner - Green Lacewing Larva

Red = pests, Blue = beneficial organisms, and Black = aspecies that may be neither a pest nor a benificial organism ormay be one or the other depending upon the plants and siteconditions involved. = a reportable organism forquarantine or research purposes.

alert!

alert!

AuthorsWayne S Johnson, Associate Professor, Department of

Resource Economics, College of Agriculture, Biotechnology,and Natural Resources; State IPM Specialist,University of Nevada Cooperative Extension

Jessica Graham, Undergraduate Research Assistant,University of Nevada, Reno

Sue Strom, IPM Program Assistant,University of Nevada, Reno

Identification of CommonLandscape Pests and Beneficial

Organisms in Nevada

Special Publication 06-08

ContributorsJeff Knight, Entomologist, Nevada Department of Agriculture

Rod Davis, Extension Educator,University of Nevada Cooperative Extension

Angela O’Callaghan, Area Horticulture Specialist,University of Nevada Cooperative ExtensionM.L. Robinson, Area Horticulture Specialist,

University of Nevada Cooperative ExtensionJoAnne Skelly, Extension Educator,

University of Nevada Cooperative ExtensionBill Carlos, Washoe County Horticulturist for May Arboretum

Donna Macknet, Undergraduate Research Assistant,College of Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Natural Resources

AcknowledgmentsThe authors gratefully acknowledge financial support for thispublication from the Integrated Pest Management Program,Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service,United States Department of Agriculture. We also acknowledgesupport from the Nevada Department of Agriculture, the Collegeof Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Natural Resources,University of Nevada, Reno, and University of NevadaCooperative Extension.

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Contents PageAcknowledgments iiIntroduction 1

Alphabetical Index 6Alert Organism Index 9Organism Benefit/Damage Index 10

Beneficials 10Organisms that may be aBeneficial or a Pest 10Pests 11

Seedling Feeding Pests 11Leaf, Twig, Bud, Fruit andFlower Feeding Pests 11Fruit Damaging Pests 13Trunk and Bark Boring Pests 13Root Feeding Pests 13

Insect Descriptions 14Alerts 14Beneficials 23Organisms that may be aBeneficial or a Pest 45Pests 55

Biological Control Internet Sources 117References 118University of NevadaCooperative Extension Offices 120Nevada Department of Agriculture Offices 121

iii

IntroductionIntegrated pest management (IPM) starts with proper

identification and the understanding of what is and is not apest. This pocket-guide was produced to help people realizenot all insects are pests (greater than 95% are not), and thatbeneficials are available naturally or can be introduced intothe landscape to manage pest species. Even non-insects,spiders and scorpions, are great predators of common gardenpests. It is hoped that the guide will help reduce the use anddependency on pesticides and the use of poisons inlandscapes where people work and play. It is designed toassist homeowners and landscape professionals in the initialidentification and familiarization of common pests and beneficialorganisms.

Several organisms herein are designated with highlighted“alert!” on a yellow background. They are not presentlyfound in Nevada or are under scientific study. If found, theseshould be reported to the State Entomologist, see page 3. Theyare an economically or ecologically important threat and are 1)quarantined by another state or are 2) quarantined by Nevada.As such, they should be prevented from entering the state andif discovered, reported. This protects producers, homeowners,and the environment from loss.

This guide describes the organisms, indicates if they area pest or beneficial, and if they are under “alert” status. It alsogives their associated signs and symptoms, and suggestsgeneral management for each. Common outdoor pests andbeneficials of Nevada or commerce are discussed, but notindoor or structural pests such as termites, most ants, andcockroaches. Moths and butterflies, which are excellentpollinators of flowers, are not discussed, unless their larvae arepests. Common beneficial arthropods (insects and spiders) arementioned herein so that they will not be thought a pest andkilled. Many beneficial organisms are not described. Theseinclude Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), viruses, fungi, birds,predator snails, nematodes, etc., all of which can play an

1

important role in integrated pest management. For moreinformation, read “Natural Enemies Handbook, the IllustratedGuide to Biological Control,” UC Press, Berkeley, Pub 3386.

Three indices are included, an alphabetical index ofcommon names (page 6 ), an “alert” index of organisms thatshould be reported to authorities for specific action to be taken(page 9), and an index describing benefical organisms (page10), pests and their damage to plants (page 11), and organismsthat may be either (page 10). In the third index, the pest iscategorized by the damage to the plant it produces or thelocation on the plant where it is found, e.g., leaves, buds, trunk,roots, and whether the plant part is dehydrated, distorted,chewed, or bored into with holes. Familiarize yourself withthese heading descriptions. Organisms are listed by theirgeneric classifications e.g., San Jose Scale is found as Scale,San Jose.

To ensure a positive identification, samples of organismsshould be taken or sent to a local University of NevadaCooperative Extension (UNCE) office (see page 120) or to JeffKnight, State Entomologist, at the Nevada Department ofAgriculture (NDOA, see page 3), before control measures areinitiated—they may not be necessary! As well, it is importantthat authorities document where pests are occurring in the stateand if a new potential pest is entering the state. They mayhave to establish a quarantine to prevent a pest’s spread andan eradication program to eliminate those present.

Seasonal scouting of landscapes can establish treatmentthresholds for pests on each property. Thresholds, the point atwhich action should be taken to avoid unacceptable damage bypests, should be understood before control is started. Theeconomic threshold, used mostly in agriculture, is the level ofthe pest population at which the associated cost of the treatmentis equal in value to the expected increase in crop yield. This isseldom used in landscapes where an aesthetic threshold, theappearance of the property or a plant, reflects the economic

Introduction

2

tolerance of the property owner to pest damage. The cost of thecontrol is often secondary to keeping the landscape pest-freeand beautiful. This threshold varies with each person and theiravailable resources. There is also an emotional threshold thatmay be important where money is not a factor. For example,people fearful of pests never want to see one or they want toprotect their favorite plant, maybe at all costs.

Once it is determined that management methods shouldbe implemented, there are many choices among cultural,physical, mechanical, chemical, and biological controls.Cultural control involves adjustments of normal plant careactivities, such as water management, crop rotation, and theamount of fertilizer applied. Physical controls are used toindirectly influence the environment by changing temperature,light, and humidity to curtail or prevent pest activity. Mechani-cal methods include labor, machinery, and materials other thanpesticides that are used to exclude, reduce, or kill pestsdirectly. Pesticides may be applied for control, but must bechosen and used carefully. The use of beneficial organisms tocontrol pests is biological control, and may be successful incontrolling insects and mites.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) maintains a list of beneficial biological control agents.The introduction of biological control agents into the state ismonitored. Distributors, nurseries, farm, and internet suppliersmust work carefully with state and federal agencies whensupplying biological control agents. The purchase or distributionof biological control agents into Nevada must be cleared withJeff Knight, State Entomologist, Nevada Department ofAgriculture, 350 Capitol Hill Avenue, Reno, NV, 89502,(775) 688-1182, extension 245, or [email protected].“Alert” pests should also be reported to the State Entomologistwhen found.

Careful handling, release, and management ensuresbeneficial organisms become established and are effective

Introduction

3

in their new environment. Remember, biological controlorganisms are live animals and need to receive gentle care atall times.

Purchase: A permit, USDA-APHIS-PPQ Form 526, isrequired to move biological control agents into the state. Thesupplier should provide this service. For additional assistanceand regulatory information, contact Jeff Knight, State Entomolo-gist, NDOA (see page 3).

Collection: Make sure you correctly identify thebiological control agent you are collecting. Contact UNCE,NDOA, or USDA-APHIS for assistance. Always get writtenpermission if you are collecting on private or protected land.

Transportation: Quick transport and care upon receiptis essential. Some predators may require specific control oftemperature, relative humidity, and light during transport andhandling. Not all insects travel well, a limited time in captivityis best. Properly pack organisms to ensure survival,especially if shipping long distances by commercial carriers.As a minimum, a sturdy, breathable, escape-proof container, adamp cotton ball or sponge, and material to walk on (plantmaterial or tissue paper) should be provided. Temperaturecontrol is extremely important during transport and after receipt.Cool, dark conditions are best during most insect life cycles.

Depending upon the insect and the stage of its life cyclewhen it is collected, extended periods of complete dark, oreven in some cases only short periods of light each day, willinitiate diapause. Diapause is a period of arrested development(enforced dormancy) between periods of normal activity. Aninsect forced into diapause would not be active upon releaseand may or may not survive its new environment.

Release: Species should be selected based on theirability to survive and reproduce in the release environment.Quick release upon receipt will aid success. Make surecurrent environmental conditions protect the releaseorganism from stresses including temperature extremes,

Introduction

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Introductiondrought, traffic, grazing, fertilizer or chemical sprays, and otherpredators. Only release beneficials when food sources andfoliage for protection are available. Avoid dry, hot, rainy orcold, windy conditions.

Biological control can be successfully used in green-houses, but it may need to be done over many crop cycles. Acrop cannot be removed from the greenhouse all at once, doingso may remove the beneficial’s food source or all of thebeneficial organisms themselves.

Distribution: Once established, redistribute a feworganisms to several new locations to prevent the colony frombeing destroyed all at once if something happens to the originalarea of release.

Improvements may not be noticeable the first seasonafter release. Populations of beneficial organisms must buildbefore becoming effective. Additional help is available frompersonnel and resource guides at UNCE, NDOA, and federalagencies. Use these to assist you in developing yourmanagement plan to successfully include biological controlagents.

Act wisely!Protect predators of pests,

pollinators, our environment, andourselves from the misuse of

pesticides. Identify the organ-ism first and then, if it is a pestof importance, choose the least

toxic way to manage it.

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Alphabetical Index1

Adelgids 58Ant, Carpenter 45Ant, Harvester 46Ant, Red Imported Fire (RIFA) 14Aphids 59Aphid, Apple 60Aphid, Green Peach 61Aphid, Rosy Apple 62Aphid, Woolly Apple 63Armyworm, Beet 84Bees 47, 48, 49, 50Beetle, Asian Longhorned 14Beetle, Citrus Longhorned 15Beetle, Elm Leaf 81, 82, 83, 85Beetle, Flea 81, 82, 83, 86Beetle, Ground 23Beetle, Japanese 15Beetle, Ladybird 24Beetle, Whitefly Predatory (Delphastus pusillus) 25Beetles, Dendroctonus 107, 108Beetles, Ips 109Borer, American Plum 110Borer, Bronze Birch 111Borer, Emerald Ash 16Borer, Giant Palm 112Borer, Locust 113Borer, Peachtree 114Borer, Shothole 87Borers, Rose Cane 51Bug, Assassin 26Bug, Big-eyed 27Bug, Boxelder 64Bug, Damsel 28Bug, False Chinch 67Bug, Leaf-footed 88

Page

1. Pests are in red, beneficials are in blue, and species that can be both are in black. Report organisms designated to the State Entomologist, see page 3.alert!

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Bug, Minute Pirate 29Bug, Squash 65Bug, Tarnished Plant 66Bugs, Stink 52Cicadas 68Corn Earworm 89Crickets 55, 56Curculio, Apple 16Curculio, Plum 17Curculio, Rose 90Cutworms 57Damselfly 30Dragonfly 31Earwig, European 53Foliage Eating Pests 81, 82, 83Fungus Gnat 115Grasshoppers 91Jerusalem Cricket 17Lacewing, Brown 32Lacewing, Green 33Leafminer, Blotch 92Leafminer, Serpentine 93Leafroller, Fruittree 94Leafroller, Obliquebanded 95Leafroller, Redbanded 18Lesser Appleworm 96Lecanium, European Fruit (soft scale) 75Maggot, Apple 18Mealybug, Pink Hibiscus 19Mealybugs 69Midge, Honeylocust Pod Gall 97Mite, Cyclamen 70Mite, Eriophyid 71Mite, European Red 19Mite, Pear Leaf Blister 72

Alphabetical Index1 Page

1. Pests are in red, beneficials are in blue, and species that can be both are in black. Report organisms designated to the State Entomologist, see page 3..

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Mite, Predatory (Phytoseiulus persimilis) 25Mite, Two-spotted Spider 73Moth, Codling 106Moth, Gypsy 20Moth, Oriental Fruit 20Pear Psylla 98Praying Mantis 34Scales, Armored 74Scale, Asian Cycad 21Scale, Magnolia White 21, 74Scale, Oystershell 76Scale, San Jose 77Scale, Soft 78Shield Bearers 101Sawfly, Pear or Pear Slug 99Sawfly, Pine 81, 82, 83, 100Scorpion, Bark 54Spiders 35, 36, 37, 38Syrphid Fly 39Thrips 79Tomato Hornworm 102Wasp, Five-banded Tiphiid 40Wasp, Paper 41Wasps, Parasitic 42Wasps, Trichogramma 43Wind Scorpion (mis-named Vinegaroon in Nevada) 44Weevil, Black Vine 81, 82, 83, 103Weevil, Diaprepes Root 22, 81, 82, 83Weevil, Hollyhock 104Weevil, Strawberry Root 81, 82, 83, 105White Grubs 116Whiteflies 80Woodwasp, Sirex or European 22

Alphabetical Index1 Page


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Organism Index1 PageWith the exception of Jerusalem cricket, these insects have notbeen reported in Nevada. Scientists are studying thepopulation dynamics of Jerusalem cricket and ask that whenfound, it be captured and sent live to the State Entomologist(see page 3). The rest of these organisms pose a greateconomic or environmental threat to crops, fruits, ornamentals,lawn grasses, and native plants. If any of these are found inNevada, collect a sample and send it to the State Entomologist(see page 3). These pests may be subject to quarantine andcertainly should be eradicated to protect crops, landscapeplants, livelihoods, commerce, and Nevada’s native plants.

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Organisms:Ant, Red Imported Fire (RIFA) 14Beetle, Asian Longhorned 14Beetle, Citrus Longhorned 15Beetle, Japanese 15Borer, Emerald Ash 16Curculio, Apple 16Curculio, Plum 17Jerusalem Cricket 17Leafroller, Redbanded 18Maggot, Apple 18Mealybug, Pink Hibiscus 19Mite, European Red 19Moth, Gypsy 20Moth, Oriental Fruit 20Scale, Asian Cycad 21Scale, Magnolia White 21Weevil, Diaprepes Root 22Woodwasp, Sirex or European 22

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1. Pests are in red, beneficials are in blue, and species that can be both are in black. Report organisms designated to the State Entomologist, see page 3..alert!

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This index is organized by the benefit or damage caused byorganisms. Beneficial organisms, predators of pests, are listedfirst. Species that can be either beneficial or a pest are listednext. Pests are listed last and are categorized by the damagethey cause to plants and where on the plant they feed or arefound—on seedlings, fruits, flowers, buds, twigs, trunks orroots.Beneficials:Beetle, Ground 23Beetle, Ladybird 24Beetle, Whitefly Predatory (Delphastus pusillus) 25Bug, Assassin 26Bug, Big-eyed 27Bug, Damsel 28Bug, Minute Pirate 29Damselfly 30Dragonfly 31Lacewing, Brown 32Lacewing, Green 33Mite, Predatory (Phytoseiulus persimilis) 25Praying Mantis 34Spiders 35, 36, 37, 38Syrphid Fly 39Wasp, Five-banded Tiphiid 40Wasp, Paper 41Wasp, Parasitic 42Wasps, Trichogramma 43Wind Scorpion (mis-named Vinegaroon in Nevada) 44Organisms that May Be Either a Beneficial or a Pest:Ant, Carpenter 45Ant, Harvester 46Bees 47, 48, 49, 50Borers, Rose Cane 511. Pests are in red, beneficials are in blue, and species that can be both are in black. Report organisms designated to the State Entomologist, see page 3.alert!

Organism Benefit/Damage Index1 Page

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Organisms that May Be Either a Beneficial or a PestContinued:Bugs, Stink 52Earwig, European 53Jerusalem Cricket 17Scorpion, Bark 54Pests:Seedling Feeding PestsCrickets 55, 56Cutworms 57Earwing, European 53Leaf, Twig, Bud, Fruit and Flower Feeding Pests(Deformed, dried, mottled, and stunted plant parts)Adelgids 58Aphids 59Aphid, Apple 60Aphid, Green Peach 61Aphid, Rosy Apple 62Aphid, Woolly Apple 63Bug, Boxelder 64Bug, False Chinch 67Bug, Squash 65Bug, Tarnished Plant 66Cicadas 68Lecanium, European Fruit (soft scale) 75Mealybugs 69Mealybug, Pink Hibiscus 19Mite, Cyclamen 70Mite, Eriophyid 71Mite, European Red 19Mite, Pear Leaf Blister 72Mite, Two-spotted Spider 73Scale, Armored 74Scale, Asian Cycad 21


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Leaf, Twig, Bud, Fruit and Flower Feeding Pests(Deformed, dried, mottled, and stunted plant parts continued)Scale, Magnolia White 21, 74Scale, Oysershell 76Scale, San Jose 77Scale, Soft 78Thrips 79Whiteflies 80(Notched, holey, and mined, leaves, buds, flowers, and fruits)Foliage Eating Pests 81, 82, 83Armyworm, Beet 84Bees, Leafcutter 47, 48, 49, 50Beetle, Elm Leaf 81, 82, 83, 85Beetle, Flea 81, 82, 83, 86Beetle, Japanese 15Borer, Shothole 87Bug, Leaf-footed 88Corn Earworm 89Curculio, Rose 90Grasshoppers 91Leafminer, Blotch 92Leafminer, Serpentine 93Leafroller, Fruittree 94Leafroller, Obliquebanded 95Leafroller, Redbanded 18Lesser Appleworm 96Midge, Honeylocust Pod Gall 97Moth, Oriental Fruit 20Psylla, Pear 98Sawfly, Pear or Pear Slug 99Sawfly, Pine 81, 82, 83, 100Shield Bearers 101Tomato Hornworm 102Weevil, Black Vine 81, 82, 83, 103Weevil, Diaprepes Root 22, 81, 82, 83

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1. Pests are in red, beneficials are in blue, and species that can be both are in black. Report organisms designated to the State Entomologist, see pages 3.alert!

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(Notched, holey, and mined, leaves, buds, flowers, and fruits)Weevil, Strawberry Root 81, 82, 83, 105Fruit Damaging PestsWeevil, Hollyhock 104Weevil, Strawberry Root 81, 82, 83, 105Borer, Shothole 87Curculio, Apple 16Curculio, Plum 17Leafroller, Fruittree 94Leafroller, Obliquebanded 95Leafroller, Redbanded 18Lesser Appleworm 96Maggot, Apple 18Moth, Codling 106Moth, Gypsy 20Moth, Oriental Fruit 20Trunk and Bark Boring PestsBeetle, Asian Longhorned 14Beetle, Citrus Longhorned 15Beetles, Dendroctonus 107, 108Beetles, Ips 109Borer, American Plum 110Borer, Bronze Birch 111Borer, Emerald Ash 16Borer, Giant Palm 112Borer, Locust 113Borer, Peachtree 114Woodwasp, Sirex or European 22Root Feeding PestsAphids, Woolly Apple 63Cicadas 68Fungus Gnat 115Weevil, Black Vine 81, 82, 83, 103Weevil, Diaprepes Root 22, 81, 82, 83Weevil, Strawberry Root 81, 82, 83, 105White Grubs 116

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Description: Worker antsare 1/16 to 3/16 inch long anddark reddish brown. Queenants are about 3/8 inch longand lose their wings aftermating. RIFA’s pedicel(waist) consists of two

Description: This largebeetle is 3/4 to 11/4 incheslong and shiny black withirregular white spots.Their antennae are blackand white striped andlonger than their body—

Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA)

segments (pictured) and their mandible has four distinct teeth.Their antennae are ten-segmented, ending in a two-segmentedclub. They have a stinger at the tip of their abdomen.Damage: Mounds no larger than 18 inches in diameter arebuilt of soil. When a mound is disturbed, the fire ants emergeaggressively. Sterile females can sting repeatedly, holding ontothe skin with their jaws and injecting venom. Red imported fireants can damage crops by feeding on seeds, seedlings, anddeveloping fruit.

USDA APHIS PPQ Archives,USDA APHIS,www.insectimages.org

Asian Longhorned Beetle alert!

Damage: AsianLonghorned beetles feedon many species ofhardwood trees, eating thewater and food conductingtissues, which can kill thetree over a couple ofseasons.

Linda Haugen,USDA Forest Service,www.insectimages.org

nearly twice as long for the male.Dennis Haugen,

USDA Forest Service,www.insectimages.org

14

Description: This shiny blackbeetles is 1 to 11/2 inches longwith 10 to 12 irregular whiteblotches on its wing covers.Antennae are white or blue andblack banded, slightly longerthan their body for females, buttwice as long for males.

Description: Less than 1/2 inchlong, this beetle has shinybrown wing covers over ametalic green body. Tufts ofwhite hairs rim each side of itsbody sticking out from under thewings. Small, white grubshave a brown head and a darktail end.

Damage: Adults emergefrom trunks in late summer tomate. Females lay over 200eggs on the bark of over 40species of hardwoods. Theyhatch, the larvae bore into thetrunk, feed—removing waterand nutrient conducting tissue,killing the tree.

Damage: Adults chewflowers, leaves, and fruits ofhundreds of ornamental andfruit-producing plants. Theirlarvae feed on roots of mostplants, seriously damagingmany, e.g., lawns, pastures,flower beds, etc.

Clemson University-USDACooperative Extension Slide Series,www.insectimages.org

Clemson University-USDA Cooperative

Extension Slide Series,www.insectimages.org

Japanese Beetle alert!

Washington State Department ofAgriculture Archives,www.insectimages.org

Washington State Department ofAgriculture Archives,

www.insectimages.org

alert! Citrus Longhorned Beetle

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alert!

Description: Adults havemetallic, iridescent greenwing covers and a copperyred or purple abdomen.They are 3/8 to 5/8 inch longand appear May throughearly September, mostly inmid-summer.

Emerald Ash Borer

Damage: Larvae feedbeneath the bark of ash trees,making serpentine galleriesthat interfere with water andnutrient movement. This killsleaves first, then wholelimbs, and finally the tree.

Apple Curculio alert!

David Cappaert,www.insectimages.org

Description: Adults are 1/5 inch long. They have a reddishbrown snout and four humps on their backs. Their long, slendersnouts are almost the length of their bodies. Nymphs aresimilar, but smaller and without wings.Damage: Apple, pear, peach, sometimes cherry, and plum fruitare deformed becoming small and knotty. Adults eat smallholes, close together in apples, causing the surrounding tissue

© 1993 to 2006University of Missouri-Columbia

All Rights Reserved

to turn hard. Heavyfeeding disfigures the entiresurface of the apple makingit unattractive andunpalatable. Eggs are laidin the small holes andsealed with excrement thatturns black.


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alert!

Description: Adults are smallsnout beetles spotted with black,gray, and brown. They havefour humps on their wing coversand a long, curved snout.

Plum Curculio

Damage: Eggs are laid incavities of the crescent-shaped, feeding scars theymake in the fruit. Their feedingalso produces knobby,gnarled, and scarred fruit thatmay drop prematurely.

Jerusalem Cricket alert!






Description: Jerusalem crickets can reach 2 inches in lengthand have a large, distinctive, bald head. The head, thorax, andlegs are generally amber yellow, but the head may be rust tobrown to tan in color. Its large eyes are far apart, just beneathits long antennae. Males are larger than females, who have asmaller head and thorax, but a larger abdomen.Benefit/Damage: Jerusalem crickets are not poisonous and

Wayne S Johnson,University of Nevada, Reno

will not bite unlessprovoked. They dochew roots, tubers,vegetables, and fruits.They also feed oninsects and meat, andmay help in reducingother soil-borne pestsin gardens.


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alert!

Description: Adult mothsare reddish brown with silver-gray and orange bands. Theyhave a reddish brown bandacross the forewings. Larvaeare small, 1/2 to 3/4 inch long,

Redbanded Leafroller

Damage: Redbandedleafrollers feed on a widevariety of plants, injuring foliageand fruit. Larvae feed on theunderside of leaves causingthem to look skeletonized.They also web leaves togetherand make shallow cavities inyoung fruit.

Apple Maggot alert!



Description: Adult fliesare about 1/4 inch long,have clear wings with boldblack bands shaped as an“F”, and a pronouncedwhite spot on their backs.Larvae are cream-colored,


All Rights Reserved

Joe Ogrodnick,New York State IPM Program,Cornell University

unmarked, greenish caterpillars.Clemson University-USDA

Cooperative Extension Slide Series,www.insectimages,org

tapered maggots with two black mouth hooks.Damage: In soft-fleshedapples, a small, dark, decayedspot occurs at the egg-layingsite producing a dimple of hardflesh. Larvae tunnel throughthe fruit’s flesh, leaving small,brown, thread-like trails.Internal rotting occurs, causingfruit to drop prematurely.

University of CaliforniaStatewide IPM Project

Whitney Crenshaw,Colorado State University,www.insectimages.org

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alert! Pink Hibiscus Mealybug

European Red Mite alert!






Clemson University-USDACooperative Extension Slide Serieswww.insectimages.org

Description: Adults arevery tiny, bright red, andhave a few long hairs ontheir backs with white dotsat their bases. Bright red,globular eggs are laid onbark or leaves.



Description: Adults are 1/8 inch long, pink, and covered withwhite, cottony wax, which becomes a large mass as coloniesform on plants. Females are wingless, but males are wingedand have two, long, waxy tails.

Damage: A pest toornamentals, fruit crops,and vegetables, thismealybug sucks the sapfrom plants causingstunting, poor or nofruiting, and sometimesdeath, especially instressful environments.Infested plants and fruitare unmarketable.

Damage: European red mites feed on foliage with their piercingmouthparts and remove cell contents. They cause stippling onthe upper surface of leaves. Leaves may bleach and burn atthe tips. Highpopulationsmay causeleaves to turnbronze anddrop.

Ken Gray Image Courtesy ofOregon State University


David Hall,www.ars.usda.gov

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alert!

Description: Males aregrayish brown and can fly,females are white with blackmarks and larger. Eggmasses laid on trunks are11/2 inches long and coveredwith soft hair. Young

Gypsy Moth

Damage: Gypsy mothsdefoliate hundreds of speciesof plants, particulary oaks andpoplars—aspen. Successiveyears of defoliation may killthe plant, especially whenother stresses occur.

Oriental Fruit Moth alert!



Description: Theadult moth is small,1/4 inch long with a 1/2

inch wing span, andis charcoal-colored.


All Rights Reserved

caterpillars are up to 2 inches long, black, and hairy with 11pairs of bumps, the first five are blue and the last six are red.

Its wings are banded light and dark, which makes it appearspotted. The 5/8 inch long caterpillar is white or pink with abrown head.Damage: Caterpillars bore intotwigs and cause wilting and“flagging” (dried and bent overleaves and stem tips on uppershoots). Larvae bore into the centerof green and ripening fruit to feedaround the pit. Entry holes, pluggedby hardened gum, are infested withsooty mold, turning the area black.

E. Bradford Walker,VT Dept. of Forests, Parks & Recreation,



Clemson Univiversity - USDACooperative Extension Slide Series,


USDA APHIS PPQ Archieves,USDA APHIS,


20

alert! Asian Cycad Scale

Magnolia White Scale alert!




Description: Also known as falseoleander scale, this armored scale isabout 1/16 inch long and shiny white.The small males may have a yellowtinge and may cluster together on a leaf.


Description: White armored scales cover the orange body ofthis tiny (less than 1/16 inch long) scale insect, which laysyellow eggs. Infesting cycads, a family of plants that includessagos, cycad scales spread rapidly. Insect numbers aregreater on the underside of the leaves, where they may form acluster of scales.Damage: Thesescales suck plantjuices from all partsof cycads, includingthe roots. Feedingproduces stippled,yellow foliage andstunted plants.Heavily infestedplants may die.

Damage: This scale feeds on matureleaves of over 100 plant species.Feeding causes yellow spots on theleaf, and with heavy feeding the leafwithers and drops.

Doug Caldwell,UF/IFAS

Doug Caldwell,UF/IFAS

H. Glenn,UF-IFAS

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alert!

Description: This weevil islarge, 3/8 to 3/4 inch long, andmay be striped black to grayto yellow or orange. Larvaeare legless, white, less than1 inch long, and have a darkhead.

Diaprepes Root Weevil

Damage: Adults chewirregular notches in themargins of young leaves ofcitrus and many ornamentals.Larvae feed on roots,eventually girdling the crownand killing the plant.

Sirex or European Woodwasp alert!


Description: Woodwasps orhorn-tails are 1 to 11/2 incheslong with a spear-shaped plateon the end of their their metalicblue/black abdomen. Femaleshave a long egg ovipositor.


All Rights Reserved

Their legs are yellow with blackfeet. Males have a black hind leg.Legless larvae have a dark spine.Damage: They attack living pinesexclusively. Their tunneling in thetrunk disrupts water and nutrientflow. Needles turn yellow, pointdown, and turn red. Egg layingmay cause pitch beads to run downthe bark. Adults emerge throughround holes in the bark.

David R. Lance,USDA APHIS PPQ,


Dennis Haugen,www.insectimages.org

Keith Weller,www.ars.usda.gov

University of Florida IFAS,edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN14

2222

Ground BeetleDescription: Shapes and colors of ground beetles vary, butthey are typically shiny and black or dark reddish. They dwellon the ground, have long legs, and are fast runners. Larvae,which live in soil or litter, are long with large heads and distinctmandibles (jaws). Both adults and larvae are predatory.Benefit: Ground beetles feed on many serious lawn,vegetable, and field crop pests including armyworms andcutworms. They also feed on snails, slugs, root feedinginsects, and many other insect larvae and pupae.Management: Provide permanent, undisturbed beds andperennial plants to protect and attract ground beetles. Supplyshelter by establishing permanent, plant-covered pathways.They are attracted to clover, camphorweed, pigweed, lowplants, and logs.

Larvae use pincher-like mandibles to eatsoil-dwelling insects(below), while adultsuse their well-developedmandibles to prey onother insects (left).

Louis-Michel Nageleisen,Department de la Sante des Forets, France,www.forestryimages.org

Edward L. ManiqaultClemson UniversityDonated Collectionwww.insectimages.org

23

Jim Occi,BugPics,

www.forestryimages.org

Description: Ladybird beetles (ladybugs) are commonbeneficial insects. They may have several or no black spotson their orange, red, yellow, or black wing covers. Larvaeare elongated, somewhat flattened, and covered with spines.Many larvae are dark or black with bright colored spots orbands, while others are cream colored. Some look likemealybugs because they are covered with a white secretion.Benefit: Larvae and adults feed on soft-bodied pests: aphids,scale insects, mealybugs, and mites. One larva may eat 200to 500 aphids before becoming an adult, which takes about amonth after hatching.Management: Purchased ladybird beetles often fly outside theyard they are placed into to seek food. Adults are attracted toflower nectar and pollen. Keep them in the landscape byplanting flowers to appeal to the adults. Do not use pesticidesthat may kill them.

This convergent ladybirdbeetle is red with blackspots (left).

Spined larvae are usually3/8 inch long (right).


Extension Slide Series,www.forestryimages.org

Ladybird Beetle

24

Whitefly Predatory Beetle Delphastus pusillusDescription: This member of the ladybird beetle family issmall (1/20 inch), shiny, and dark brown to black. Males havea brown head, while heads of females are black. Eggs areclear and twice as long as they are wide. Larvae are longand pale yellow.Benefit: It attacks the two-spotted spider mite, broad mite,and all stages of the sweet potato whitefly and greenhousewhitefly.

Predatory Mite Phytoseiulus persimilisDescription: P. persimilis is very small (only slightly largerthan its prey) and fast moving. It is orange to bright reddishorange with long legs and a pear-shaped body. Eggs areoval, and immatures are a pale salmon color.Benefit: P. persimilis is a predatory mite that feeds on mitepests. It develops faster and lives longer than its prey,making it a very effective predator.

Delphastus pusillus canconsume severalhundred whitefly eggsand nymphs daily (left).

Jack Dykinga,USDA-ARS Image Gallery,

www.ars.usda.gov

Phytoseiulus persimilisfeeding on an egg ofthe two-spotted spidermite (right).

Mid-Florida Research & Education Center,mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/slo/spmite/b853a3.htm

25

Assassin BugDescription: Assassin bugs are long-legged predators thatmay be brown, black, or brightly colored, and are about 3/4

inch long. Their heads are long and narrow with a curved,needle-like beak, and their long, slender antennae have foursegments. They have sticky pads with thousands of tinyhairs on their front legs that hold their victims. Their eggsare laid in clusters on the undersides of leaves. Nymphsresemble the adults, but are wingless.Benefit: Nymphal and adult assassin bugs feed on pests andbeneficial insects, snails, and spiders. They effectively eatcaterpillars, nymphs, and other immature insects.Management: If handled carelessly, assassin bugs may inflicta painful bite. They are not poisonous, but the wound may beinfected if bacteria from their beak is left behind. Wear glovesfor protection. Assassin bugs are attracted to light.

Nymphs have fivegrowth stages andresemble the adults(left).

Adults are largerthan most otherpredaceous bugs(right).

Clemson Universiity-USDACooperative ExtensionSlide Series,www.insectimages.org

John Ruberson,The University of Georgia,www.insectimages.org

26

Bradley Higbee,Paramount Farming,


Big-eyed BugDescription: Big-eyed bugs are usually black with silverwings. They have prominent eyes on the sides of their headsand are about 1/8 inch long. Eggs develop a distinctive red spotjust after they are laid. Nymphs resemble adults, but lack fullydeveloped wings. Found on plant foliage and on the soilsurface, these small bugs are easily mistaken for chinch orfalse chinch bugs.Benefit: Big-eyed bugs prey on small caterpillars, mites,thrips, whiteflies, aphids, and other soft-bodied insects. Theysuck plant juices, but are not considered harmful to plants.Management: They are attracted to alfalfa, solonaceous crops(potato, tomato, egg plant), beets, and subterranean clover.Flowers that produce nectar appeal to them as they eat nectarfrom flowers when prey is scarce.

Big-eyed bug nymphsdo not have fullydeveloped wings, butotherwise resembleadults (left).

Conspicuous largeeyes are characteristicof this small bug (right).

Ken Gray Image CollectionsOregon State University

Russ Ottens,The Univ. of Georgia,www.insectimages.org

21

27

Alton N. Sparks, Jr.,The University of Georgia,www.insectimages.org

Damsel BugDescription: Damsel bugs are small, yellowish to brownish,predaceous insects with prominent eyes. They resemble otherplant bugs that feed on crops, but their head is longer and morenarrow than most. They have long antennae, piercing –sucking mouthparts, and thickened forelegs for grasping prey.Nymphs resemble the adults, but are smaller and lack wings.Benefit: Both adults and nymphs feed on a wide variety ofinsects including aphids, leafhoppers, plant bugs, mites, andsmall caterpillars.Management: Damsel bugs favor low growing plants ingarden flower beds. They are attracted by cover crops orborders of legumes such as alfalfa, clovers and vetch, andstrawberries.

Damsel bugs have thickened forelegs for grasping prey (above).

Bradley Higbee,Paramount Farming,


Damsel bugscan beyellowish tobrownish andare about 1/2

inch long(left).

28

Minute Pirate BugDescription: Adult minute pirate bugs have triangular headsand are black with white markings at the base of their frontwings. Only 1/8 inch long, this predator is often overlooked. Itpreys on insects by inserting its sucking mouthparts into itsprey and removing body fluids. Nymphs, also predaceous,are wingless, orange, and teardrop-shaped.Benefit: Nymphs and adults prey on aphids, chinch bugs,whiteflies, spider mites, and other arthropods. They areparticularly attracted to colonies of thrips. About 70 speciesexist in North America, one of which feeds on the eggs andlarvae of the corn earworm.Management: This beneficial bug can be attracted by willows,buckwheat, corn, daisies, nectar, and pollen.

White markings at the baseof the front wings maketheir body appear band-likewhen wings are at rest(below).

Minute pirate bugs arefound on all above groundparts of plants (left).

Ronald Smith,Auburn Universtiy,www.insectimages.org

Gerald J. Lenhart,www.insectimages.org

29

DamselflyDescription: Damselfly adults (smaller than dragonflies)and nymphs are predatory. They have four, large, clearwings and slender, brightly-colored bodies. Their heads areoblong with prominent eyes and short antennae. Immaturedamselflies are aquatic, have long legs, and three append-ages on their tail.Benefit: Nymphs live in water and feed mostly on mosquitoand midge larvae. Adult damselflies feed on adult mosqui-toes and other aquatic insects.Management: Damselflies are attracted to wildflowers andwater. They can be encouraged to frequent or set upresidency near bird baths, landscape ponds, and other waterfeatures that are near the ground and surrounded by flowers.

Damselflies have four, large, clear wings, and slender,brightly-colored bodies (above).

At rest, a damselflyfolds its wings overits body, adragonfly’s wingsremain open (left).


Edward L. Manigault,Clemson University Donated Collection,


30

DragonflyDescription: Dragonflies, there are many species, arepredaceous as nymphs and adults. Adults are relativelylarge, 1/2 to 6 inches long, with two sets of translucent, net-veined wings and a long abdomen. They live near ponds,wetlands, and other slow-moving waters. Females lay eggson or near water.Benefit: Dragonflies are very important in reducing thenumber of mosquitoes and other aquatic flies. Nymphs livein water where they feed on mosquito larvae, other aquaticinsects, and even small fish. Adults prey on mosquitos, flies,midges, and gnats.Management: Provide a bird bath, landscape pond, or otherwater feature to keep dragonflies around. They also like torest and sun themselves on wooden stakes and can beattracted to a yard having three-foot tall, small diameter(preferably less than 1/2 inch) poles or bamboo garden stakesin sunny parts of the yard.

Dragonflieshavetranslucent,net-veinedwings(right).

Adultdragonflieshave a long,narrowabdomen (left).

Arnold T. Drooz,USDA Forest Service,www.insectimages.org


31

Brown LacewingDescription: Brown lacewings resemble the green species,but are about half the size, brownish, and less common. Theireggs are oblong and laid singly on plants. Flattened larvaehave a tapered tail, distinct legs, and tubular suckingmouthparts. They are smaller and more slender than the larvaeof the green species.Benefit: Adults and larvae are predaceous, feeding on mitesand soft-bodied insects including aphids, mealybugs, scales,and whiteflies. Larvae of some species of brown lacewing arecalled trashbugs because they cover themselves with debrisand the skins of their victims.Management: Brown lacewings are attracted to nectar, pollen,and honeydew. A garden with flowers all season long providesa good habitat for this predator.

Brown lacewingadults are 3/8 to5/8 inch long(above).

The pupal stage isshort in thesummer, allowingadults to emergeand produce moregenerations beforethe season ends.Pupae formed inthe fall willoverwinter (below).

Joseph Berger,www.insectimages.org

Bradley Higbee,Paramount Farming,www.insectimages.org

32

Green LacewingDescription: Green lacewing adults have four, pale green,see-through wings with net-like veins. Their 1/2 inch long,slender bodies are light green to pale yellow. They deposit theireggs at the end of a long, hair-like stalk attached to theunderside of leaves. Larvae are flat and tapered at the tail, withdistinct legs and long, curved mandibles. Their soft bodies areabout 1/4 inch long and covered with raised bumps and longhairs.Benefit: Adults feed on pollen or other insects and are foundon crops, weeds, and landscape plants. Larvae are ferociouspredators that attack soft-bodied pests (aphids, mealybugs, andwhiteflies) and their eggs. They are one of the best insectpredators in Nevada. They may have five or six generationsper year.Management: Nectar, pollen, and honeydew encouragegreen lacewings to live in a landscape. They are attracted togoldenrod, dandelions, yarrow, and wild carrot, as well asbright lights at night. Providing water during dry periods mayalso increase their stay and predation.

Larvae use theirsickle-shapedmandibles tograsp prey (right).

Green lacewing adultshave transparentwings (left).

David Riley,University of Georgia,www.forestryimages.org


33

Praying MantisDescription: Praying mantises may be green, brown, or amottled color. They have a free-moving, triangular head.Without a larval stage, the young look like miniature adults.Their eggs are deposited in a distinctive pattern on twigs orstems as a frothy mass, which hardens as a protective layer.The females are bigger than males and have a largerabdomen. They have wings, but they usually walk.Benefit: Praying mantises feed on a variety of insectsincluding moths, crickets, grasshoppers, and flies. They do notdiscriminate between beneficial and harmful insects, and theywill eat each other.Management: Pesticides significantly reduce the number ofpraying mantises in an area. Use as few pesticides aspossible to protect this predator.

Praying mantis egg cases may holdmore than 200 eggs (above).

Adults may be upto six inches long.Their front legsare used to graband hold prey(above).

Edward L. Manigault,Clemson University Donated Collection,


Gerald J. Lenhard,www.insectimages.org

34

Description: All spiders are predaceous. Only a few, suchas the black widow, brown recluse, and hobo spider aredangerously venomous to man. Spiders are usually 1/4 to 11/2inches long and shy, immediately retreating or hiding whendisturbed. Black widow spiders, or hourglass spiders, have aprominent hourglass-shaped spot on the underside of theirabdomen. Very shy, they spin irregular webs in crevices andother dark, protected, moist spots. Newly hatched blackwidow spiders are whitish and darken gradually, passingthrough stages of mixed white, yellow and red spots andbands. Brown recluse spiders, not found in Nevada (unlessimported), are characterized by a distinct violin-shaped patch ontheir head and midregion. Unlike most spiders, they have threepairs of eyes. They spin small, loose webs with irregularstrands. Wolf spiders resemble a brown recluse, but are notharmful to man. Wolf spiders do not construct webs, but live inburrows and wait for prey. Jumping spiders do not spinwebs, but are skilled hunters, especially of the many insectsthat live or move on the soil surface. Large garden or orbweaver spiders are common in Nevada. They spin large,patterned webs to catch flying insects. One, the cat-facespider, is about the size of a quarter and cream-colored with tanand brown markings. Its abdomen has two bumps and darkmarkings that resemble a cat’s face. Harmless to humans, itbuilds an orb web near lights, eves and overhangs aroundhomes, barns, and out buildings. There are several species offunnel spiders in Nevada that construct webs above groundwith a funnel-shaped opening at the bottom where they lie inwait for flying insects to get trapped. One, the hobo spider isfound in northeast Nevada and may be transported into otherareas of Nevada. An aggressive predator, when threatened,this poisonous spider has attacked humans. It builds a funnelweb in corners, under furniture, and protected sites. It may befound inside or outside a home, but may not persist, particularlyoutside, because of Nevada’s hot, dry climate.

Spiders

35

Benefit/Damage: Spiders are predators of pest insects, butthey may bite if disturbed by humans. Seek medical attention ifbitten by a brown recluse, hobo, or black widow spider. Blackwidows do not often bite, but if they do it can be painful and, inrare cases, fatal. An antivenim (Lyovac) is available, and painmedication will probably be needed. Hospitalization is advisedfor high risk persons—babies, the elderly, hypersensitiveindividuals, the sick, and those sensitized by earlier spiderbites. While the effects of a black widow bite are often feltimmediately, other spider bites may be painless until three toeight hours later. Bites may become inflamed, hard, scabbed,ulcerated, and slow to heal over weeks to months. Head-aches, dizziness, fatigue, vomiting, and diarrhea may resultfrom a bite. If bitten, collect the spider for positive identificationand seek medical attention. Apply antiseptic solution to preventinfection.Management: Spiders are not aggressive to humans andusually only bite when crushed, handled, or disturbed. Controlwhen necessary by treating outbuildings, under porches,around foundations, in basements, or other places likely toharbor spiders with an approved pesticide. To make theenvironment less attractive to spiders, eliminate clutter inbasements, closets, and attics. Webs and egg sacs can beremoved with a vacuum or broom. Most spiders, however,should not be killed because they are great predators andefficient control agents of insect pests.

Spiders

Female blackwidows are shinyblack with a redhourglass-shapedmarking on theunderside of theirabdomen (right). Clemson University-

USDA CooperativeExtension Slide Series,www.insectimages.org

36

Female wolfspiders carry theirwhite, round eggsacs around withthem (left).

Spiders

Brown recluse spiders, not commonly found inNevada, are dark cream to dark brown with a

darker abdomen (above).

Bold jumpingspiders do notlive in webs, butare activepredators,usually huntingduring daylight(right).


Jim Kalisch,Department of Entomology,

University of Nebraska-Lincoln



37

Jim Kalisch,Department of Entomology,University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Funnel spidersspin funnel-shaped webs andwait for prey atthe bottom (right).

Spiders

Garden or orbweavers spinlarge, circularwebs in areaswith lots ofinsects (right). Leon Higley,

Department of Entomology,University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Cat-face spiders have twobumps and dark markingson their abdomen that whenviewed as a whole lookslike a cat’s face (left).



Hobo spiders,more oftenfound in theNorthwest andUtah, are alsofound innortheastNevada (left).

38

Syrphid FlyDescription: Syrphid flies, also known as flower or hoverflies, are predators that commonly hover around flowers feedingon pollen, nectar, and honeydew. Syrphid flies may varygreatly in color and size, but most have striped black, brown,and yellow banded abdomens and are about 1/4 to 3/4 inchlong, similar to bees and wasps. Larvae or maggots are about1/4 inch long, legless, wrinkled, fleshy, and usually greenish,but may be white or brown.Benefit: Syrphid fly maggots are predators of aphids, scaleinsects, and thrips. One maggot can consume 400 to 500aphids in its lifetime. They have three to seven generations peryear.Management: Attract syrphid flies by planting pollen or nectarrich flowers. They must feed on pollen before they canreproduce. They prefer wild carrot and yarrow flowers.

Syrphid flies mayresemble wasps orbees, but they do notsting (right).

Maggots are greatpredators of aphids (left).

Susan Ellis,www.insectimages.org

Clemson University-USDACooperative ExtensionSlide Series,www.insectimages.org

39

This wasp is black with yellow markings. Five-banded tiphiid wasplarvae are parasites to many landscape-damaging insects.

Encourage them to stay in your yard.

Five-banded Tiphiid WaspDescription: Five-banded tiphiid wasps are parasitic waspsthat are about 11/8 to 13/8 inches long. Adults are black withyellow on their head and thorax. They have yellow bandsaround each segment of the abdomen and yellow legs.Their antennae are black.Benefit: Larvae are parasites of May beetle, scarab beetle,and tiger beetle larvae. Female wasps lay eggs onburrowing larvae in the soil. Larvae penetrate the host andfeed until the host is eventually killed. Adults feed on nectar.Management: Commonly found in southern Nevada,homeowners may find five-banded tiphiid wasps in or aroundtheir home in the fall and winter. If disturbed, the wasps maysting. Five-banded tiphiid wasps are not harmful, if they arefound in your yard, encourage them to stay.

Charles Schurch Lewallen,University of Oklahoma

40

Paper WaspDescription: Paper wasps are 3/4 to 1 inch long and black,brown, or reddish with yellow markings. Their nests resembleupside-down umbrellas of cells and are often found undereaves, in attics, trees, and on other structures.Benefit: Paper wasps are primarily predators of caterpillars,which they sting and paralyze, but they also prey on otherinsects such as flies and beetle larvae.Management: To remove a paper wasp nest from eaves,spray it with a high pressure stream of water from a distance.However, do not remove a nest unless absolutely necessary.The wasps are very aggressive if their nest is threatened andwill sting whomever disturbs it. Left alone, they are not athreat.

There are 22species ofpaper wasps inNorth America.

Their nests andlong, narrow bodiesdistinguish paperwasps from yellowjackets (right).


Whitney Cranshaw,Colorado State Universtiy,


41

Parasitic WaspsDescription: Parasitic wasps are very small (less than 1/8

inch long) and often go unnoticed. They vary in shape andcolor, but are usually black with long antennae. Larvae areusually cream-colored, legless, and tapered at both ends.Benefit: Parasitic wasps lay eggs on or in the body of hostinsects. After hatching, larvae feed on the host, eventuallykilling it. Many harmful insects such as aphids, whiteflies,scales, leafminers, and caterpillars are parasitized. Emergenceholes in the dead insect are a sign of the parasitism. Parasiticwasps do not injure plants or other beneficial insects.Management: Encourage them to stay in the landscape byplanting wildflowers, particularly from the daisy and carrotfamilies. Have water readily available too.

Parasitic wasps have longantennae and aregenerally black (below).

Adult parasitic wasps leavesmall holes as they emergefrom a parasitized sawflycocoon (left).

Wasp larvae construct small,white cocoons outside the bodyof the host (above).

R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Slide Set,R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company,www.insectimages.org

John H. Ghent,USDA Forest Service,www.insectimages.org

John H. Ghent,USDA Forest Service,www.insectimages.org

42

Trichogramma WaspsDescription: As many as 145 species of Trichogrammawasps occur naturally and are adapted to most habitats.These wasps are difficult to identify due to their small size(1/50 inch) and the large number of species. They resemblelarger wasps in appearance, but are harmless to humans.Benefit: Trichogramma wasps parasitize insect eggs, mainlythose of butterflies and moths, including pest species. Adultfemales search for suitable hosts by odors released by the hostthemselves. Once a host egg is located, she deposits two tothree of her eggs inside of it. There, the wasp larvae hatch andconsume the developing host embryo. Pupae pupate inside thehost egg turning it a dark color. When the pupal stage iscompleted, adult wasps chew a hole in the host egg andemerge to breed and start the cycle again.Management: Avoid using broad spectrum pesticides thatmay kill natural enemies of pests such as the Trichogrammawasp. These wasps may be purchased and released intothe landscape. Research which species are available andpurchase those best suited to the area of release—climate, pesthost, etc.

There are many species ofTrichogramma wasps. Researchis being conducted using theTrichogramma deion wasp, left, inwarehouses for control of theIndiameal moth, which infestsstored packaged goods such ascereal.

An egg clusterparasitized by aTrichogramma waspturns black (right).

Paul W. Flinn,USDA-ARS

USDA Forest Service,Rocky Mountain Region Archives,www.insectimages.org

43

Wind ScorpionDescription: Wind scorpions, also known as sun spiders andsolifugids, are not true scorpions, but belong to the Arachnidaclass. They are often mis-named vinegaroons in Nevada;vinegaroons occur in the Middle East. They have two distinctbody regions and large pincers on their heads. They are calledwind scorpions because they appear to run as fast as the wind.They are brown or yellowish and can grow to two inches long.Benefit: Wind scorpions prey on insects and small verte-brates. If provoked, they can bite, but they do not have venomglands and are harmless to humans. The wound may becomeinfected if it is not treated properly.Management: If a wind scorpion is found, leave it alone; it willnot harm you. If in the home, collect it carefully and place itoutside.

Wind scorpions can grow to 2 inches long, and get their namebecause they appear to run as fast as the wind. They are not

actually harmful, but may bite if provoked.

Glen & Martha Vargas© California Academy of Sciences

44

Description: Carpenter ants are general insect predators thatare large (1/4 to 1/2 inch long) and usually black or cinnamon, butcan be bicolored. The queen ant and winged ants are larger (upto 3/4 inch long). Their oval, cream-colored eggs are about 1/8inch long. Larvae are legless and grub-like.Benefit/Damage: Carpenter ants are general predators andthey protect aphids and mealybugs for their honeydew. Theyalso bore through wood to make nests. They are most activeat night. Unlike termites, they do not feed on wood and thewood damaged by them will not contain mud-like material.They eject sawdust-like debris (frass) from their tunnels.Management: Find and destroy the nests. Treat wall voidsand other hidden places where ants are entering by carefullydrilling a series of small holes and puffing boric acid or otherregistered products into the suspected nest areas. If the nest isin a wall, drill and treat at least three to six feet on either side ofwhere the ants are entering so as to maximize the chance ofcontacting the nest. Also treat behind pipe collars and behindthe junction box for electrical switches. Moist wood providesthe ideal environment for carpenter ants, so correct anymoisture problems and remove water-damaged wood.

Carpenter Ant

Boring dust is left nearwood damaged by

carpenter ants (above).

Carpenter ants are usuallyblack and about 1/4 to 1/2 inchlong (below).

Edward H. Holsten,USDA Forest Service,www.insectimages.org



45

Harvester AntsDescription: Many species of harvester ants are found in theUnited States, some like the red harvester ant, are native to thedesert southwest. They are 1/4 to 1/2 inch long, and orange toreddish to dark brown to brownish black. Larvae are white andlegless. Winged harvester ants swarm and mate, after whichthe male soon dies. Females drop their wings and dig burrowsto start new colonies. Harvester ants nest deep in the ground,building a mound around the entrance and clearing a three foot(or larger) radius of vegetation from around the nest. Smallpebbles are left by worker ants near the entrance.Damage/Benefit: Aggressive in defending their nest,harvester ants bite and sting intruders, including humans. Theydo not invade homes, but can damage lawns, golf courses, andparks with their nest building. Forage yields in heavily infestedcrop and range lands are reduced. They are seed eaters,eating the seeds of many weeds. They also eat insects.Management: These ants are generally not considered aproblem, unless they build their nest in an undesired location.In fields, regular discing and mowing may eliminate them.Pesticides are available, use them during the hot part of the daywhen the ants are in their nest. Baits are also effective.

Harvester ants maybuild a mound aroundthe enterance of theirnest, clearing vegetationaway from it (right).

Red harvester ants can beaggressive when disturbedand will bite and sting (left).

Jeff Knight,Nevada Department of Agriculture

Herbert A. “Joe” Pase III,Texas Forest Service,www.insectimages.org

46

Description: Bees are essential pollinators in naturalecosystems, horticulture, and agriculture. Seed, fruit, andvegetable producers rely on bee pollinators, and without themyields plummet. Honey is a natural sweetener used all overthe world. Recently, native and domesticated bee hives havebeen devastated by varroa and tracheal mites. Care must betaken to protect bees from these mites and the misuse ofpesticides, which kill bees. Mason bees are small, shinyblack, and easy to handle. A bee sting from a mason bee israre because they are non-aggressive by nature. The honeybee is about 2/3 inch long and has black or brown bands acrossthe abdomen. They are often confused with some wasps, buthoney bees are not aggressive and sting only for self-protection. The more aggressive and dangerous Africanizedbees cannot be visually differentiated from commercial honeybees, and require an expert to make a positive identification.Alkali bees are slightly smaller than the honey bee with yellowor green iridescent bands on the abdomen. Leafcutting beesare black with white or silvery hairs, and are about 2/5 to 4/5

inch long. Most leafcutting bee species are solitary.Benefit/Damage: Honey bees have become prime pollinatorsof crops. They also provide honey, royal jelly, beeswax, andpropolis. Mason bees are native pollinators of early springflowers. More efficient than the honeybee, mason bees visit anaverage of 1600 flowers a day, pollinating over 90% of theblooms. Alkali bees and leafcutting bees are effective alfalfapollinators. Leafcutting bees occasionally cause damage tosome ornamental plants if large numbers of females are nestingin one area, but the damage is usually slight and temporary.Margins of leaves or petals will have large semicircular holes.Africanized bees defend their colonies very vigorously. Theyare dangerous because many bees participate in a stinging andthey continue to attack for a long time and over a great distance.

Bees

47

Management: Entice mason bees into your landscape bycreating nesting sites for them. This can be done by drillingholes in blocks of wood or setting out bunches of unwrapped,paper soda straws (do not use plastic). Encourage growth inpopulations in early spring when bees are active by providingholes for bee nests near fruit producing crops. Honey bees canbe kept where there are flowering plants that produce nectar andpollen. Choose a place for bee hives that is sheltered fromwinds and partially shaded. Avoid low spots in a yard wherecold, damp air accumulates in winter. Provide a water sourcein your yard with floating wood or styrofoam chips to keep thebees from drowning. Look for cracks and holes in houses andstructures that may lead to wall voids. Caulk these so thathoney and Africanized bees will not move in.Africanized bees are great pollinators, but too aggressive for thesafety of other animals. If you discover a bee colony, contacttrained personnel to remove it. If stung, run to a car or buildingand stay there enclosed even if some bees come with you.Do not jump in water because Africanized bees will still be therewhen you come up for air. Once safe, quickly remove stingsfrom your skin with a credit card or other scraper (tweezersmay inject more venom) to reduce the amount of venominjected.An artificial nesting bed can be made where alkali bees aredesired. These bees prefer to nest in an area of silt loam soil.Leafcutter bees, like mason bees, are great pollinators that nestin holes. Artificial nests can be made with drilled wood orbunches of paper straws. Place nests in protected sites in thelandscape or garden.Be cautious using pesticides, most pesticides kill bees. Do notapply pesticides while plants are actively flowering. Applypesticides before the plant begins to flower or after it has finishedflowering. Read product labels, select the least toxic pesticidesto bees, and follow label directions when managing pests.

Bees

48

Bees

Mason bees are

shiny black

pollinators of earlyspring flowers. Theycan be attracted toyour landscape byproviding nests, suchas a bunch ofunwrapped, papersoda straws openedat one end (left).

Africanized bees look just likehoney bees. In the picture tothe left, Africanized honeybees surround a Europeanhoney bee queen that hasbeen marked with a pink dot.

Honey bees travel fromflower to flower to collectnectar (right).

Stephen Bambara,North Carolina State University

Carl Dennis,Auburn University,


Scott Bauer,USDA AgriculturalResearch Service,www.insectimages.org

49

Bees

Alkali bees have yellow bands on their abdomen (above).

Leafcutting beescut leaf fragments,but usually causelittle damage(right).

Lately, varroamites havedevestatedmany beehives. In thepicture to theleft, varroamites can beseen attachedto honey bees.

Lila De Guzman,USDA-ARS Image Gallery,www.ars.usda.gov

Ken Gray Image Courtesyof Oregon State University

Whitney Cranshaw,Colorado State University,www.insectimages.org

50

Description: A number of insects infest rose canes,including sawflies, horntails, carpenter bees, and rose caneborers, which are predatory wasps. They make holes incanes or use cut ends of pruned canes in which to lay eggs.Their larvae burrow into the center of the cane. The waspsmay make only a broad chamber for their young as theycollect aphids to feed their young.Benefit/Damage: Rose cane borers usually do not causeserious injury beyond aesthetic damage; however, stem tipsand leaves wilt and individual canes die back. They willleave round holes in the center of cut canes. Larvae ofsome borers eat the inside tissue leaving the canes hollow,while others tunnel in a spiral under the bark. Some waspsare beneficial insects as they reduce aphid populations.Management: Prevent rose cane borer damage by sealingcanes with white glue immediately after pruning. Pruneaffected canes to the next leaf or until there is no longer ahole in the stem. Remove and dispose of infected canesand seal each cut with glue. Insecticides are not effectiveexcept in reducing aphid populations which may decreasethe number of rose cane borers in your garden.These wasps bore into rosesthrough the ends of prunedcanes (right). Larvae of someborers eat the inside tissueleaving canes hollow (below).

Stem tips and leaves wilt andindividual canes die back (right).




Rose Cane Borers

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Stink BugsDescription: Stink bugs are shaped like a 1/2 inch long shieldand have a large triangle on their backs. They vary in colorand size, but are most commonly green or brown. They havefive-jointed antennae and long, piercing-sucking mouthparts.The name stink bug comes from the foul smelling substancemany species give off when disturbed. Their eggs are barrel-shaped with circular lids. They are laid in masses of 10 to 50eggs on leaf surfaces. Nymphs are brightly colored and mimicadults.Benefit/Damage: Some stink bugs are predators, but manyattack a variety of fruits and vegetables. The adults causemore damage than the nymphs. Damage includesblemishes, discolored depressions, and brown drops ofexcrement. They produce white, pithy areas inside fruit,which turns brown when the fruit is peeled. Except for thefruit, woody plants are not harmed by their feeding, butvegetables are.Management: Controlling host weeds will help managestink bugs. Parasitic wasps attack stink bug eggs andparasitic flies attack the nymphs and adults. Whenpopulations are small, the eggs and bugs may be picked offby hand. Insecticides may be effective.

Stink bugs feed on apeach causing discoloredblemishes on the outsideand white, pithy areasinside the fruit (right).

This shield-shaped stinkbug is brown (left).

David R. Lance,USDA APHIS PPQ,www.insectimages.org Gary Bernon,

USDA APHIS,www.insectimages.org

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European EarwigDescription: European earwigs are 3/4 inch long, elongated,slender, shiny, reddish brown insects. The front pair of wings isthickened and very short, and the hind pair is membranous andmuch folded. They have chewing mouthparts, and a pair ofpincer-like cerci. The male’s pincers are larger and curved,while the females are smaller and nearly straight. Young aresimilar in appearance to the adults.Benefit/Damage: Earwigs feed nocturnally on pest insectsand mites, as well as growing shoots of plants. Seedlings maybe missing all or parts of their leaves and stem. Mature leaveswill have many irregular holes or be chewed around the edges.Flower buds and flowers are chewed and grow distortedly.Management: Earwigs can be controlled in gardens by settingcans filled halfway with vegetable oil and a drop of bacongrease or tuna fish oil as traps. A rolled-up newspaper, bambootube, or short piece of hose may also be used as a trap. Theyinhabit moist, dark organic debris and trash, remove such.

Right, a femaleEuropeanearwig (top) anda smaller maleEuropeanearwig (bottom).

MaleEuropeanearwigshave large,curvedpincers(left).

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Steve Spomer,Department of Entomology,


Bark ScorpionDescription: Bark scorpions are 2 to 3 inches long, includingthe tail, and range from light yellow to reddish tan. Moredelicate looking than other scorpions, bark scorpions have longslender tails, often longer than their body, and thin claws. Thestinger is at the end of the tail. Bark scorpions live for aboutfive years.Benefit/Damage: Bark scorpions, found in southern Nevada,are the only scorpion species considered seriously poisonousin the state. Pain from stings is usually felt right away. Thearea around the sting may feel numb or weak. Othersymptoms are hyperactivity, anxiety, profuse salivation,dizziness, respiratory distress, and convulsions. Seek medicalattention if this occurs. Swelling and discoloration do not occur.Death is rare, but possible. Insectivorous, it kills many pests.Management: Find scorpions by using a blacklight at night.Scorpions will fluoresce a light yellow-green color. Physicallykill the scorpions or spray them with an approved pesticide,which is most effective when sprayed directly on the scorpion.Spraying infested areas with a residual spray may have someeffect in controlling bark scorpions. Portable blacklights can beobtained through rock shops and larger light bulb supplyhouses.

In southern Nevada, barkscorpions are found in rockoutcroppings and behindtree bark, especially onpalms (left).

Bark scorpions are yellowto reddish tan and havelong slender tails (right).




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CricketsDescription: Field crickets are flat-backed with a reddishbrown to black body and large hind legs. They are 9/16 toover 1 inch long. Females have a sword-like egg layingstructure (ovipositor) and two cerci that come out of the back oftheir abdomens. Nymphs resemble adults, but are smaller andwingless. Males make a chirping sound to attract females.House crickets are similar to field crickets, but are onlyabout 3/4 inch long and are yellowish brown with three darkbands on the head and prothorax. Mormon crickets are nottrue crickets, but resemble large, black, wingless grasshop-pers. They can be up to 21/2 inches long as adults, andfemales have a long ovipositor for laying eggs at the end of theabdomen. Mormon crickets cannot fly.Damage: Field crickets can cause serious damage to gardenand field crops. Symptoms of cricket damage may occur atany time in the growing season on a variety of plants. Cricketscause damage to roots and stems, eat seeds and seedlings,and chew holes in stems of larger plants. Turf roots and shootsare also eaten. Some field crickets are beneficial because theyeat the seeds of pesky weeds, including crabgrass andpigweed. House crickets are bothersome when they enterdwellings and eat holes in clothes and furniture. Mormoncrickets destroy plants on rangeland, cropland, and in vegetablegardens. After the food supply is exhausted, they migrate toother areas.Management: If field crickets become a problem, clean upyour garden and thin out plantings to make the area lessdesirable. Protect plants with cones or rowcover. Baited trapsmay also be helpful. Some birds and predatory wasps eatcrickets. Metal, screen, or tarpaper cylinders sunk into theground can help protect individual plants. Insecticides areavailable for use on turf. Carbaryl bait, usually oatmeal coatedwith carbaryl, is an effective way to reduce Mormon cricketpopulations. Dimilin is also available as a spray. House

55

crickets, a minor nuisance, can be eliminated by treatingwindow screens, basement window frames, and places aroundthe foundation with insecticides.

Female field cricketshave two cerci thatextend from the back ofthe abdomen (left).

No control is usuallynecessary for harmless,yellowish brown housecrickets (right).

Crickets

Mormon cricketsresemble fat, blackgrasshoppers andcannot fly (left).


USDA-ARS Northern PlaninsAgricultural Research Laboratory

Jim Kalisch,Dept. of Entomology,

Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln

56

CutwormsDescription: Cutworms are dull brown caterpillars with lightcolored stripes and smooth skin. When disturbed, they curlup into a C-shape. Their dome-shaped eggs are laid onstems and leaves near the ground. Adults are moths.Damage: Cutworms attack most garden crops and manyother plants. They clip seedling stems near or just below thesoil’s surface. They migrate to other plants once the foodsupply is exhausted. Cutworms also climb on foliage andchew holes in the leaves.Management: Look for cutworms at night when they aremost active. Destroy crop residues and surrounding weeds.Keep the garden free of weeds and sod in winter. Seedlingscan be protected with cardboard collars, screens, orprotective cloth placed around them. Using insecticide baitsbefore there is serious damage provides control.

Cutworm larvaechewed the stemof this corn plant.Cutworms curlinto a C-shapewhen disturbed(left).

Cutworms aresmooth-skined,dull browncaterpillars(right).

Clemson University - USDACooperative Extension Slide Series,www.insectimages.org


57

AdelgidsDescription: Adelgids are small, dark, soft-bodied, aphid-likeinsects that suck plant juices. They form galls on spruce, butalternate hosts include Douglas-fir, fir, hemlock, and larch. Theinsects may look different depending on the host. Most speciesoverwinter as eggs under cottony masses or as early-stageimmatures under bark or bud scales.Damage: Adelgid colonies of females produce a cottony whiteor grayish material on the trunk, limbs, cones, twigs, orneedles. Heavily infested trees may seem to be covered withsnow. Cone-shaped galls or swollen twigs may also appearon infested spruce or fir. Large populations of adelgids causeneedles to turn yellow and drop early and terminals to droopand dieback. Large populations of adelgids in stages that do notform galls can slow development of, or kill trees.Management: Many predators, including ladybird beetles andlacewings, feed on adelgids. Adelgid galls on spruce aregenerally harmless, but young trees or trees with largequantities of galls may have problems. Clip and discardinfested foliage when the galls are green and insects have notyet emerged. Do not use excessive amounts of fertilizer orquick release formulations, and substitute spruce with other treespecies. A strong stream of water aimed at the cottony masseson conifers displaces and kills many adelgids. Applications ofhorticultural oil (caution – changes blue leaf color to deep green)or a broad-spectrum insecticide in the spring can be effective.

Adelgids mayoverwinter aseggs under cot-tony masses(left).

Large populationscause terminalsto droop and dieback (right).

Whitney Cranshaw,Univ. of Colorado,www.insectimages.org

MN Dept. of Ntrl. Res. Arch.,www.insectimages.org

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AphidsDescription: Aphids can be green, yellow, brown, red, blue,or black and are about 1/10 inch long. This small, pear-shapedpest has long legs and antennae, and a pair of cornicles(tubelike structures) projecting out of the back of its body. Adultsmay be winged or wingless. Females give birth to live youngthat begin feeding on plants right away.Damage: Aphid feeding may cause curled, yellowed, anddeformed leaves, as well as stunted shoots. Sticky honeydewmay also be secreted attracting ants and turning black withsooty mold fungus. Some aphid species inject a toxin intoplants, that produces distorted leaves. Many transfer virusesfrom plant to plant.Management: There are insecticides available to controlaphids, but do not spray with chemicals if aphid mummies(parasitized bodies) are present. Allow beneficial insects(syrphid fly larvae, lacewings, ladybird beetles, parasiticwasps) to continue to kill the aphids. Control ant populations,prune areas with aphids, and avoid using high levels of nitrogenfertilizer. Washing aphids from plants with a forceful stream ofwater obtains good, short-term control. Repeat as necessary.

Aphids are usually found suckingplant juices on new growth (above).Deformed, curled, yellowed leavesare evidence of aphids (left).

John A. Weidhass,Virginia Poly. Tech. Institute

& State Univ.,www.insectimages.org

John A. Weidhass,Virginia Poly. Tech. Institute

& State Univ.,www.insectimages.org

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Apple AphidDescription: Adult females are pear-shaped and lightgreen, sometimes with yellow bodies in spring. The lessnumerous males are smaller and yellowish brown with blackantennae. Nymphs are wingless females that become stemmothers, which give birth to live young without mating. Wingedapple aphids (the true sexual forms) mate and lay oval, greeneggs on twigs. The eggs eventually turn black.Damage: In mild climates, apple aphids live all year in thetree, reproducing continuously. Damage is similar to thatcaused by rosy apple aphids. Apple aphids cause the foliageto curl. They also produce honeydew, upon which grows ablack fungus that discolors the leaves and apples. Damagedapples will be dwarfed and appear puckered at the blossomend.Management: A lack of pruning will encourage aphid colonies.Apply dormant oil at leaf emergence to smother eggs. Pre-blossom applications of aphicides are effective. Foliarapplications of systemic compounds in early season throughsummer kill aphids, particularly if done prior to leaf curling whenthe aphids are exposed.

Apple aphids causeleaf curling (left).

Adult wingedapple aphid (right).

Joseph Berger,wee.insectimages.org

John A. Weidhass,Virginia Polytech Institute & State Univ.,www.insectimages.org

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Green Peach AphidDescription: In spring and fall, deep pink stem motherfemales bear live young. Pear-shaped adults develop fromstem mothers. They are yellowish green with a median andtwo lateral dark green stripes over their abdomen. The youngnymphs are yellowish green with darker green lines on theirback.Damage: Green peach aphids feed early in the season on avariety of plants. When they feed on leaves and extract sap,the leaves turn yellow and drop. Honeydew is excreted and ablack, sooty fungus develops. Green peach aphids alsotransmit virus diseases.Management: Green peach aphid is resistant to manypesticides and is difficult to control. Delay the use of chemicalsto allow predators and weather to reduce the population. Whenusing a pesticide, make sure to cover the plant thoroughly,particularly the undersides of leaves. Use dormant oils inwinter and ultrafine horticultural oils in summer.

UGA1440116R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company

UGA3413060David Jones

University of Georgia

Nymphs and awinged adult,which forms whenpopulations aredense (right).

Feeding by greenpeach aphids causesleaves to turn yellow(left).

Whitney Cranshaw,Colorado State University,



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Rosy Apple AphidDescription: Adults are rosy brown with a powderycovering. Nymphs are wingless females that become stemmothers, which give birth to live young without mating. Wingedrosy apple aphids (the true sexual forms) mate and lay ovaleggs on twigs. The eggs change from bright yellow, togreenish yellow, to black.Damage: Young rosy apple aphids feed on and around theopening buds of apples and other hosts, including ornamen-tals. They also suck sap from leaves, stems, and youngfruits. Feeding causes leaves to curl, which providesprotection for the aphids. The leaves may also turn brightred. Feeding results in bunching, stunting, and malformationof fruit. Large populations secrete much honeydew, uponwhich a sooty fungus grows. Toxin in the saliva of rosyapple aphids prevents fruit from falling at the normal time.Management: Keep trees trimmed so insects and birds thatfeed on rosy apple aphids and their eggs can find them.Pre-blossom applications of contact or systemic aphicidesmay be effective. Use ultra-fine horticultural oil and soapsearly. It is hard to obtain control with pesticides after leafcurling has occurred.

Adults are pinkish dueto a powdery covering(left).

Feeding by rosy appleaphids results inbunching, stunting andmalformation of fruit(right). Ken Gray Image Courtsey

of Oregon State University


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Woolly Apple AphidDescription: The adults are purplish and almost entirelycovered by a woolly mass of waxy fibers. The males aresmaller and olive-yellow. The eggs are oval and cinnamon-colored. Wingless females (stem mothers) birth live youngwithout mating. Winged woolly apple aphids (the true sexualforms) mate in fall and lay overwintering eggs.Damage: White, cottony masses can be found above groundon pruning wounds and new growth, or on large knots on theroots and crown. Branches will have gall-like formations andthere will be swollen enlargements on the roots. Trees infestedwith woolly apple aphids will have short, fibrous roots. Theseaphids prevent healing and cause the roots to decay. Foliagewill turn yellow. Woolly apple aphids may transmit applecanker.Management: Pyrethroid and carbamate pesticides kill naturalpredators causing outbreaks of aphids and mites. Apply otheraphicides to control woolly apple aphids in tree tops. Dormantoils and soap are not effective. Underground aphids are harderto control. Select trees with resistant rootstocks.

Underneath thewoolly mass of waxyfibers, woolly appleaphids are purplish(left).

Cottony masses can befound on new growth (right).

William M. Ciesla,Forest Health Mgmt. Intermational,


Joseph Bergerwww.insectimages.org

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Boxelder BugDescription: Adults are about 1/2 inch long and brown-blackwith three red stripes behind their head and at the base oftheir wings. The abdomen is bright red under the wings. Redeggs are laid in crevices of bark in the spring. Nymphs aregray and bright red, developing black markings and wingswhen mature.Damage: Boxelder bugs feed by sucking sap from leaves,tender twigs, and developing seeds. This causes leafstippling, without significant plant damage. Boxelder bugscan be an annoyance because they travel in large numbers.If they enter a home, they may stain walls, curtains, andfurniture with spots of excrement.Management: Female boxelder trees support boxelderbugs, so remove these trees or avoid planting them.Eliminate debris or litter around homes because it serves asshelter. Spray water or insecticides on congregatingmasses. To prevent bugs from entering a home, sealexterior cracks and screen windows and doors. Bugs foundin a home can be vacuumed up. Seal and dispose of thevacuum bag in the trash.

Boxelder bugs are brown-blackwith three red stripes (left).

Boxelder bugsaggregate ingroups (right).



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Squash BugDescription: Squash bugs give off an unpleasant odorwhen crushed. Adults are about 5/8 inch long and flat-backed. They are brownish, grayish, or dark gray withorange or orange and brown striped edges on the abdomen.They are often densely covered with black hairs. Orange-yellow to bronze eggs are laid on stems or on the undersidesof leaves. Young bugs are pale green to nearly white andwingless.Damage: Squash bugs feed on leaves of curcubits, causingsmall specks which turn yellow and then brown. Vines wiltand affected parts become black and crisp. Small plantsmay be killed, large plants fruit poorly. They also transmitbacterial and virus wilt diseases.Management: Remove all plant debris and trash. Squashbugs can be trapped by placing boards around and withinthe garden or problem area and later, turning them over andkilling or vacuuming up the bugs that have collected.Applying insecticides will only reduce populations for a fewweeks. Apply them early to kill overwintering bugs. A strainof the tachinid fly, Trichopoda pennipes, attacks squash bugsin the eastern United States and has been successfullyintroduced into California.

Bronze eggs on theunderside of a damaged leaf(left).

Grayish squash bugs feedingon a pumpkin (right).



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Tarnished Plant BugDescription: Tarnished plant bugs are oval, flattened, andabout 1/4 inch long. They can be brown, yellow, or green andhave darker markings. They have a small, distinct, yellowishtriangle on their back just behind their head. Nymphs looksimilar to adults, but are wingless, greenish, and markedwith black spots behind their heads.Damage: Tarnished plant bugs inject toxic saliva into the plantswhen they feed causing yellowish spotted or distorted leaves.Their feeding causes buds to secrete a sticky liquid and shrivelup. Fruit falls early or becomes dwarfed and pitted. Twigs andbranches of young peach trees will wilt and die, causing thetree to look bushy or scrubby.Management: Remove weeds and trash that could provideoverwintering sites. Hang unbaited, nonreflective, white,sticky boards low in the trees to monitor their presence.Chemical control is difficult due to the mobility of the bugs.

This tarnished plant bug isgreen with darker markings(left). Tarnished plant bugsgo through five growthstages (below).

University of Gerogia Archives,The University of Georgia,www.insectimages.org

Scott Bauer,USDA AgriculturalResearch Service,www.insecimages.org

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False Chinch BugDescription: False chinch bugs are often confused forchinch bugs, but have a shorter, more narrow body. Adultsare grayish brown, 1/8 inch long, and have transparent wingswith a series of black dots or dashes on the bottom half.Pink, crescent-shaped eggs are laid in cracks in the soil oron plants and hatch in four days. Nymphs are stubby andgray with red markings.Damage: False chinch bugs feed with sucking mouthparts.Large numbers congregate on alfalfa, potatoes, beets,cabbage, corn, grapes, and sorghums. Symptoms are ageneral wilting of the plant. Heavy feeding may turn leavesbrown and even kill the plant. The bugs will migrate whenplants become less succulent. Often found on weeds,especially mustards, the bugs will swarm.Management: Eliminate weed hosts. Make sure there areno cracks around structures which false chinch bugs canenter. Insecticides can be temporarily effective, but do notprevent re-infestation of migrating bugs. They are easilydrowned.

The feeding by highpopulations causesplants to wilt and turnsleaves brown (left).

False chinch bugadults are grayishbrown with transparentwings (right).



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CicadasDescription: Adult cicadas are 1 to 2 inches long, stocky, andusually green with red and black markings. They have largeeyes and semitransparent wings with darker veins. Immaturecicadas are wingless, pale white, and spend their entire lifeunderground.Damage: Male cicadas make a piercing, high-pitched sound.The most significant damage is from females who puncturelimbs and twigs of ornamentals when laying eggs. Twigs andsmall branches will wilt, and may die and break off. Nymphscause minor damage by feeding on roots and removingnutrients, but adults do not feed at all.Management: Birds eat many cicadas and the cicada killer, alarge wasp, paralyzes and lays eggs on them. Cover youngtrees during emergence, late May and June, and egg-laying.

Females slit the bark of treesand lay eggs in the interior(left).

Adult cicadas have largeeyes and clear wings (right).

Kenneth M. Gale,www.insectimages.org

Lacy L. Hyche,Auburn University,www.insectimages.org

68

USDA ARS Photo Unit,USDA Agricultural Research Unit,www.insectimages.org

MealybugsDescription: Mealybugs are soft, egg-shaped, segmentedinsects that grow about 1/20 to 1/5 inch long. They are usuallycovered with a white or gray, mealy wax. Males are yellowor red with two, long, whitish tails. Females are grayish,wingless, and move slowly. They lay tiny, yellow eggs in amass intermixed with white wax.Damage: Mealybugs suck sap from stems, leaves, andshoots, turning leaves yellow and distorting new growth. Theyproduce large amounts of wax and honeydew that attract antsand is often followed by a black sooty mold fungus. White,cottony masses on plants may also be a sign of a largeinfestation.Management: Chemical control is difficult. Natural enemies,including parasitic wasps, ladybird beetles, lacewings, andsyrphid flies, often control mealybugs. An introduced predatorbeetle, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, is available for release.Control ant populations that guard mealybugs for honeydew.White cottony masses area sign of a largemealybug infestation(right). Mealybugsproduce honeydew, whichattracts ants (below).

Mealybugs are covered with awhite, mealy wax. Whendisturbed they secrete a redliquid as a means of defense.(right).

Clemson University-USDA CooperativeExtension Slide Series,www.insectimages.org

Alton N. Sparks, Jr.,The University of Georgia,www.insectiimages.org

69

James F. Price,Univ. of Florida IFAS

Cyclamen MiteDescription: Cyclamen mites are tiny, about 1/100 inch long,so only their damage can be seen with the naked eye. Theyare clear-bodied in immature stages, but are pinkish orange andshiny as adults. The hind legs of females are thread-like, whilethe male’s are pincer-like. Eggs are smooth, oval, and abouthalf the length of the adults. They prefer cool, moist conditions.Damage: Cyclamen mites badly damage many plants,especially strawberries, as they feed on young leaves at thecrown of the plant where they lay their eggs. Commonsymptoms are curled leaf margins and distorted young leaves.Serious infestations cause the whole plant to be dwarfed,leaves to turn brownish green, and fruit to be small, dry, andwithered.Management: Remove and destroy infested plantsimmediately. Introducing predaceous mites may also beeffective. Chemical control is difficult because the mites residewithin unfolded leaves of plants.

Cyclamen mites aretoo small to be seen,but cause damage toyoung strawberry plantleaves (left).

Three strawberryleaves damaged bycyclamen mites arestunted in comparisonto a normal strawberryleaf (right).

James F. Price,Univ. of Florida IFAS

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Eriophyid MiteDescription: Eriophyid mites are very small (average lengthis about 1/16 inch), torpedo-shaped, tan to colorless, and slow.Their four legs look like they are coming out of their heads, andtheir long abdomen has many transverse ridges or rings.Damage: Eriophyid mites commonly feed in buds or distortedplant tissue. They distort, stunt, and discolor leaves, terminals,or buds, which often drop early. Infested conifers developdeformed, stunted, yellowish needles on new growth.Distorted, woody galls form on branchlets of poplars, ash, andoaks. Symptoms may look like herbicide damage.Management: These mites feed protected within plant tissue,making them difficult to control. Good sanitation is important.Damage is irreversible and it may be necessary to dispose ofinfested plants.

Eriophyid mitesare so small thatthey can only beseen under amicroscope(left).

Eriophyid mitescause significantdamage toplants, such asdiscoloration ofleaves and leafcurl (right).

Anatomy Dept. Archives,West Virginia University,www.insectimages.org

Whitney Cranshaw,University of Colorado,www.insectimages.org

71

Pear Leaf Blister MiteDescription: Adults are white or light red with a long body thatnarrows in the back and has about 80 narrow rings when seenthrough a microscope. They have two pairs of legs just behindtheir head that have long hairs on them. There are also longhairs on the sides of their body. The larvae look like the adultmites, except they are smaller. Eggs are dull white and oval,they are laid in galls produced by feeding.Damage: Damaged leaves will have brownish blisters on theundersides. The blisters on pear are small, greenish swellingsthat turn reddish and then brown. Apples will have paleyellowish blisters. The blisters might be in masses to wherethey almost cover the surface. Feeding on developing fruitcauses brown, oval, sunken spots. The fruit may also bedeformed and misshapen.Management: Small infestations can be dealt with by simplyremoving the leaves. Thoroughly apply prebloom sprays toprevent an infestation. Inspect the undersides of leaves forblisters.

Feeding on developing fruit causes brown,oval, sunken spots. Blisters on leaves

and fruit turn brown.

Phil Pellitteri,University of Wisconsin

72

Louis Tedders,USDA Agricultural Research Srv.,www.insectimages.org

Two-spotted Spider MiteDescription: Two-spotted spider mites are small with an ovalbody, eight legs, and two red eyespots near their head. Manylong bristles cover their legs and body. Eggs are spherical andclear, becoming cream-colored before they hatch. Spider mitesspin webs, distinguishing them from all other mites. Generallyfound on the undersides of leaves, they are also found incracks, crevices of soil, under bark, and on structures. Theyproliferate during warm to hot, dry, dusty conditions.Damage: Spider mites suck cell contents from leaves. Thedamage initially appears as speckles, but leaves turn yellowand drop off as feeding continues. A fine covering of webbing isa sign of a heavy infestation.Management: Natural enemies of spider mites will generallykeep them in check. Most pesticides are not effective and ifused, kill natural enemies. Soaps and summer oils arerecommended. Prevent dusty, dry conditions, providesufficient irrigation, use overhead sprinklers, and irrigate often.

Two-spotted spidermites are only 1/50

inch long and spinfine webs (left).

Two red eyespotsare visible in thiselectrom micrographof a two-spottedspider mite (right).

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Photo by Eric Erbe,Digital coloraization by Chris Pooley,

USDA-ARS Image Gallery,www.ars.usda.gov

Armored ScalesDescription: Armored scales are less than 1/8 inch long,circular to irregular, and flattened. They are usually seen asgrayish, brownish, or yellowish encrustations on plants.They secrete a waxy covering over their bodies to protectthem as they suck plant juices. Armored scales do notproduce honeydew. Oystershell, magnolia white, andCalifornia red scale damages ornamentals in Nevada.Damage: Heavily infested trees will often appear waterstressed. The leaves turn yellow and drop, twigs and limbsmay die, and the bark may crack and produce gum. Leavesor fruits may also be attacked, leaving blemishes and holes onfruit. This pest transfers plant diseases and can kill trees.Management: Armored scales can be controlled by naturalenemies, such as lady beetles and parasitic wasps. Usinginsecticides may kill these natural enemies, horticultural anddormant oils are less toxic to predators.

Female magnolia white scale is about 1/8 inch long and pear-shaped (above). This scale feeds on foliage and causeschlorotic spots. Heavy infestations cause leaves to turn

yellow and drop prematurely.

University of Florida,IFAS Extension

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European Fruit LecaniumDescription: Adult females of this soft scale are 1/8 to 1/4 inchin diameter, brown, with smooth, soft, plastic bodies thatbecome hard, brown shells at death. Loosely fastened to thebark, its scale serves as a covering for several hundred whiteeggs. Adult males are small, brown, and gnat-like, and theyonly live a short time because they cannot feed. Immaturescales are light brown, smaller, and more flat than the females.Damage: Large infestations of European fruit lecanium killsmall branches, stunt tree growth, and devitalize the tree until itis subject to attack by borers, diseases, and other stresses. Alarge amount of honeydew may also be present on leaves orsurroundings.Management: Inspect new plants for scales. Discard infestedyoung plants. Parasitic wasps are natural enemies and mayhelp reduce populations. Insecticides are available.

At death, the hard, brown shell of the adult femaleserves as a covering for their eggs. Large

infestations of European fruit lecanium weakentrees making them suseptible to attack by

borers, diseases, and other stresses.

Jerry A. PayneUSDA Argricultural Research Service


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Oystershell ScaleDescription: Oystershell scale is an armored scale. Thelarvae, also called crawlers, have six legs and are small andwhite. They form a waxy scale coating over their bodies.The scales are gray to dark brown and look like oysters.They can be found on the bark, usually in clusters. Adultmales are small with wings. The females are cream-whitecolored and have no legs or antennae. Grayish white eggscan be found under each female scale.Damage: Scale insects eat by sucking plant juices.Feeding by oystershell scale weakens plants and candamage fruit. Leaves may turn yellow and dry up. Heavyinfestations can kill branches and cause tree decline.Management: Some scales can be scrubbed off trees.Birds, mites, and wasps are predators of this scale.Branches that are heavily infested should be pruned out.Insecticidal soaps are effective and conserve beneficialspecies. An oil spray will be most effective in the springwhen crawlers are active. Dormant sprays are not effective.

This aspen tree is infested withoystershell scales. This pestsucks plant juices and cantransfer plant diseases that killtrees (right).

Oystershellscales are flatand brown (left).

E. Bradford Walker,VT Dept. of Forests, Park & Rec.www.insectimages.org

William M. Ciesla,Forest Health Mgmt. Inter.,www.insectimages.org

76

San Jose ScaleDescription: Crawlers (young nymphs) are small, orange-yellow, oval, and have two antennae and six legs. Adultfemales are nearly round with a raised nipple in the center.Except as crawlers, their entire lives are spent under scalecoverings. The oval males have a raised dot near the largerend of the scale. They emerge to mate as a small, yellow,winged insect.Damage: San Jose scale feeds on the sap of apples and otherplants, from twigs, leaves, and fruit. Fruit and young barkproduce red spots from feeding. The scales multiply rapidlyand will eventually kill the plant if not controlled.Management: Natural enemies do not control San Jose scale.Placing pheromone traps in the tree at the pre-pink stage ofapple flowering will trap emerging males. Trap crawlers byplacing black tape around infested branches about seven to tendays after petal fall. After the first crawler is trapped,immediately apply a pesticide. Applying superior oil in theprebloom stage is effective. For large infestations, apply aninsecticide at early petal fall.

The nearly roundscales have araised nipple inthe center (right).

Damagedfruits have redspots (left).



77

Soft ScalesDescription: Soft scales are about 1/4 inch long with antennaeand black and brown color variations. They excretehoneydew, and their covers may be smooth, such as thebrown and hemisperical scales, or cottony, such as thecochineal scale of cactus.Damage: Many species occur in Nevada and cause seriousdamage in nurseries and landscapes. Heavily infested plantsappear unhealthy and produce little new growth. Soft scalessecrete an abundance of honeydew, which attracts ants andhelps produce black, sooty mold on trees and shrubs. Antsprotect soft scales from natural enemies and are a sign ofinfestation.Management: Control of soft scales can be achieved bynatural enemies, such as lady beetles and parasitic wasps.Using insecticides may kill these natural enemies, horticulturaloils are less toxic. Control ants, which are attracted to thehoneydew and protect the scale from predators.

Hemispherical scales are softscales about 1/8 inch in size.Adults and several crawlersthat have not yet formed theirsmooth coverings are visible inthe picture below.

Cottony cushionscales are 1/8 to1/4 inch in size(above).

Ken Gray Image Courtsey ofOregon State University


78

ThripsDescription: Thrips are tiny (less than 1/20 inch long),slender, yellowish or blackish insects common to many farm,garden, and greenhouse crops. They may be carried overlong distances by wind. Adults can be identified by the longfringes on the margins of their wings. Larvae are small,translucent white to yellowish, and wingless. Western flowerthrips are common in Nevada on crops and ornamentals.Damage: Larvae and adults suck plant sap from buds,flowers, and leaves, resulting in distorted or discoloredflowers and silvery, stippled leaves. Damage is notnoticeable right after feeding. In heavy infestations, the plantparts or the entire plant dries and withers away. Black spotson leaves, which are actually feces, are a sign of thripsactivity. Thrips spread incurable viruses to healthy plantsthey feed on.Management: Thrips are hard to control because a largeportion of their life cycle is protected by soil or plant parts.Chemical control is difficult and not recommended.Insecticidal soaps will reduce populations, but effects areonly temporary. Plants may outgrow the damage if they arewell irrigated.

Adult thrips keep theirwings folded over theirbacks (left).

Jack T. Reed,Mississippi State University,www.insectimages.org


Larvae and adults suckplant sap resulting indry, silvery, stippledleaves (right).

79

WhitefliesDescription: Found in vegetable and ornamental plantings,whiteflies are tiny, sap-sucking insects with yellowish bodiesand whitish wings. They disperse as a cloud of insects whendisturbed. Eggs are deposited on the undersides of leaves.Nymphs look like tiny scale insects.Damage: Whiteflies cause leaves to turn yellow, look dry,and drop prematurely. Leaves may be sticky because of thehoneydew produced, and later be covered with a black sootymold fungus. The honeydew also attracts ants.Management: Predators include lacewings, big-eyed bugs,and minute pirate bugs. Eggs and pupal stages are difficultto control with pesticides, but parasites and predators attackboth. A parasitized whitefly may often appear brown insteadof white. Hand remove leaves heavily infested with larvaeand pupae stages. Control levels of dust and ants, whichencourage them. Insecticidal soap, ultrafine horticultural oil,and syringing with high pressure water are effective.

Nymphs remain attachedto the underside of leavesuntil they mature (right).

Adult whitefliesare about 1/32

inch long (left).




80

Description: Common foliage eating insects in Nevadainclude caterpillars, sawflies, leaf and flea beetles, and weevils.Caterpillars (larvae) of moths and butterflies are long, oftenmulticolored, and may be hairy, bristly, or as in the case ofloopers have smooth skin. Their first three thoracic segmentsafter the head have a pair of legs each (six legs total), the nexttwo abdominal segments are legless, and then some of theother abdominal segments have two prolegs—stubby holdfasts. Adult butterflies usually have brightly colored wings, adark body, two antennae, and may be relatively large as aninsect. They do not chew on plants, but may suck nectar fromflowers. Fortunately, tussock moths (rarely) and the Europeangypsy moth are not ornamental pests in Nevada. Leafrollers,loopers, occasionally tent caterpillars, and webworms occur.Sawfly larvae are relatively long and narrow, have a distinctlydark or colored head, and they have true legs on the threethoracic segments and a pair of prolegs on the rest of theabdominal segments. Adults resemble true flies with clearwings. The principle sawflies feed on conifers, pears, roses,and junipers. In contrast, leaf beetle larvae have no legs orprolegs on their abdominal segments after the three pairs of legson the thoracic segments. They may be variously colored andoften small, less that 1/4 inch long. Adults are small, roundedbeetles that may have black or brightly colored, shiny wingcovers. Many leaf and flea beetles exist, but most do littledamage to healthy ornamentals. The elm leaf beetle is anannual pest on elms and in severe cases may nearly defoliatea tree, which will survive even with heavy feeding. Weevillarvae are small, white, and often feed on roots. Adults have along snout with chewing mouth parts at the end. The blackvine, rose (both of which attack many fruits and ornamentals),and conifer weevils feed on roots and leaves as larvae andfoliage as adults.

Foliage Eating Pests

81

Damage: Caterpillars chew irregular holes along the edges ofleaves and may consume the entire leaf. Adult moths andbutterflies have sucking mouth parts and only take nectar andreproduce. Some caterpillars build silken tents, webs, or bagsas protection from predators. Sawfly larvae feeding createsholes in leaves. Pine sawfly larvae often consume all of lastyears needles, but not the current year’s. Adults do not feed onplants. Leaf and flea beetle feeding may have a distinct pattern.Larvae may skeletonize a leaf (eat only the soft tissue of theleaf, leaving the veins, usually from the underside) while adultseat holes in the leaves. Leaf and flea beetles are comparativelysmall. Many weevil larvae feed on the roots of plants andadults eat the leaf. Adult weevils eat small irregular notchesout of the margin of leaves. Leaf beetles and weevils usuallydo not devour the entire leaf.Management: Caterpillars and sawfly larvae have manynatural predators including birds, parasitic wasps, and evennatural diseases that keep them in check. Commerciallyavailable Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) attacks caterpillars and leafbeetle larvae. Tent and bag caterpillars and sawflies may bepruned out and destroyed. Application of a pesticide in a soildrench may be effective for weevils, along with a spray in theevening when adults are actively feeding. Pesticides are alsoavailable for tent and bag caterpillars, but are less effective.Refer to the discussions of these pests for more information.

Tent caterpillars aremulti-colored and bristly.


Jerald E. Dewey,USDA Forest Service,www.insectimages.org

82




Fall webworm larvae build webson the ends of branches (left).

Flea beetles are a pest toornamentals and vegetables,including corn (right).

Adult root weevilseat notches alongleaf edges (left).

Pine sawfly larvaefeeding on last year’sgrowth (right).

Elm leaf beetle larvae feedingskeletonizes leaves (left).

Linda Haugen,USDA Forest Service,www.insectimages.org

Arnold T. Drooz,USDA Forest Service,www.insectimages.org


Univ. of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Archives,Integrated Pest Management,www.insectimages.org

83

Beet ArmywormDescription: Beet armyworms are 11/4 inches long andgreen with light stripes and smooth skin. Commonly, theyhave a black spot on the segment above the second leg. Eggsare laid in masses covered with hairlike fluff on crowns ofseedlings and on leaves of older plants.Damage: They eat all parts of the plant, but prefer leaves andflowers and damage nearly all greenhouse and bedding plants.They skeletonize leaves and make shallow gouges in tomatofruits. Signs of infestations are egg masses and parasitizedarmyworms.Management: Viral diseases, parasites, and general predatorscan naturally control beet armyworms. The fluff covering theeggs protects them from parasites. Handpicking can be aneffective control.

Eggs are laid in fluffymasses on leaves (right).

Mature beet armyworm caterpillarshave smooth skin (right).

Beet armywormsskeletonize leaves (left).

Ronald SmithAuburn UniversityImage 1858061www.insectimages.org

Ronald Smith,Auburn University,






84

Elm Leaf BeetleDescription: Adult elm leaf beetles are 1/4 inch long, andyellow to olive-green with a black stripe along the margin ofeach wing cover. On the underside of leaves, 5 to 25yellowish to gray eggs are laid in double rows along veins.Females lay up to 400 eggs. There are two to threegenerations a year. Immature larvae are black. They are adull yellow or greenish with rows of tiny, dark tubercles thatform two black stripes down their back when mature.Damage: Elm leaf beetles feed on elms and zelkova. Larvaeskeletonize the leaf surface causing the leaf to die and dropprematurely. Adults eat small holes in leaves. Heavydefoliation weakens trees, making them more susceptible toattacks by bark beetles, borers, and diseases.Management: The black tachinid fly (Erynniopsis antennata),a tiny wasp (Tetrastichus brevistigma), and an egg parasite(Tetrastichus gallerucae) are effective when used with othermanagement methods. Give elms proper irrigation and prunedying branches during late fall and winter. Bark band trees andapply foliar sprays of selective or low residual toxicityinsecticides that conserve natural enemies. Chemical controlcan be obtained by spraying when the eggs are hatching,usually in late May.

Adults are yellow with a blackstripe along the margin of eachwing cover (left). Elm leaf beetlelarvae skeletonize leaves (above).


Clemson University-USDACooperative Extension Slide Series


Clemson University-USDACooperative Extension SlideSeries,


Clemson University-USDACooperative Extension SlideSeries,


85

Flea BeetleDescription: Flea beetles are small and shiny with enlargedback legs used for jumping. All species are oval in shape,but they vary in color, size, and pattern. The early life stagesof flea beetles occur underground, so only adults arecommonly seen. Tiny, white eggs are laid near the base ofthe plant on or in the soil. The larvae are white, slenderworms.Damage: Flea beetles are mainly a problem to corn andplants of the Solanaceae family: tobacco, potato, tomato,eggplant and petunias. Feeding on leaves by adults resultsin tiny pits or tiny holes. If many beetles are feeding, theleaves may be covered with bleached, pitted areas, orragged holes. Larvae feed on roots of plants, but rarelycause serious injury.Management: Control weeds and remove any debris ortrash that might be used as shelter. Older plants cantolerate feeding by flea beetles and seedlings can beprotected with protective cloth or other coverings. Insecti-cides may be effective.

Flea beetles have enlargedback legs used for jumping(right).

Adults feeding on thispotato leaf have left itwith tiny holes (left).


USDA APHIS PPQ Archives,www.insectimages.org

86

Shothole BorerDescription: Adults are 1/10 inch long, brown-black with redon their wing covers and legs, and sparse, yellow hairs ontheir bodies. The wing covers have depressions fitted withlines of tiny punctures. The posterior margins of the wingshave a saw-toothed edge. Larvae are whitish, legless grubswith a pink tint and a yellowish head.Damage: Weakened trees are most susceptible. Thebeetles attack the trunk, branches, and twigs of stressed fruitand ornamental trees. Larvae burrow between the bark andsapwood creating brood chambers parallel to the length ofthe tree and galleries at right angles. The burrowed area isfilled with dust-like, reddish brown frass. Round entranceholes in the bark are created for females to deposit theireggs. Similar holes are also made for beetles to emergefrom after the pupal stage.Management: Trees must be kept healthy to avoid attackby shothole borers. Use fertilizer and proper irrigation tohelp restore weakened trees. Remove and burn infested ordiseased branches or trees during winter. Parasitic chalcidwasps are an important natural enemy. Apply pesticideswhen the beetles are active.

Adult shothole borershave short snouts (right).

Beetles create small,round exit holes in thebark (left).



87

Leaf-footed BugDescription: Adults are 5/8 to 3/4 inch long, chestnut brownwith some orange on the dorsal abdomen that is visible whenthe wings are raised. They have a flattened, leaf-like area ontheir hind legs and four-segmented beaks, which is adistinguishing characteristic. Nymphs have a similar shape asthe adults. Golden brown eggs are laid closely together in arow or chain along a stem or leaf midrib.Damage: In Nevada, leaf-footed bugs are a problem onpomegranates, but this bug also attacks other crops andornamentals. The adults puncture fruit, causing it to split, rot,and drop.Management: Hand picking, cultural methods, andinsecticides can be used to control leaf-footed bug.Removing the infected fruits should prevent infestation inother plants. The polyphagus tachinid fly (Trichopodapennipes) can be used for biological control. Birds, spiders,assassin bugs, and other predators are natural enemies.

Nymphs are similar shape toadult leaf-footed bugs (left).

Adults have flattened,leaf-like areas on theirhind legs (right).

Russ, Ottens,The University of Georgia,

www.insectimagegs.org

Jerry A. Payne,USDA Agricultural Research Service,www.insectimages.org

88

Corn EarwormDescription: Corn earworm moths are about 3/4 inch long witha wing span of 1 to 11/2 inches. They are olive-green to tan, ordark reddish brown and are very active during the night. Eggsare laid on the foliage throughout the sweet corn growingseason. The larvae are about 11/2 inches long and vary incolor from pale green or pinkish brown to nearly black. Theyusually have lengthwise stripes and a lighter underside.Damage: Corn earworm larvae prefer to feed within the ears,but also feed on leaves, tassels, and the whorl. Symptoms arefeeding damage to kernels, and extensive excrement at the eartip. Young larvae feed on corn silks, clipping them off, andmoving into the ear where they continue feeding until they leaveto pupate in the soil.Management: Many predators and parasites, includinglacewings, minute pirate bugs, and damsel bugs, attack cornearworm eggs and small larvae. Parasitized eggs usually turnblack. Deep cultivation in spring exposes or kills pupae.Control can be obtained using insecticides and oils. Repeatedapplications may be necessary.

Larvae damageyoung corn byfeeding within theears (left).

Corn earworm moths havea wing span of 1 to 11/2

inches (right).

Steve L. Brown,The University of Georgia,



89

Rose CurculioDescription: Rose curculio is a 1/4 inch long, red to blackweevil with a distinctive, narrow snout. The larvae are smalland whitish.Damage: The rose curculio produces ragged blossoms andholes punched in flowers and canes. It punctures roses withits beak to feed. Adults make small, round holes in theflower buds and lay eggs. They also feed on the floral partswithin the buds, causing them to never open or appearragged as they develop. Larvae feed on reproductive partsof the flower, seeds, and petals.Management: Yellow and white roses are preferred by rosecurculio. Netting can be used to protect rose bushes byletting sunlight and water in, but not the insects. Handpickadults and remove any damaged buds and spent bloomsbefore larvae emerge. When disturbed, rose curculios dropand play dead. Place a container of soapy water belowwhere they are feeding, shake the plant, and they will fallinto the water and drown. Minute pirate bugs prey on them.Pesticides may be used for severe infestations.

Adult rose curculiowith its distinctivesnout (left).

Rose curculiodamage to fruit(right).



90

GrasshoppersDescription: Grasshoppers are 1/4 to 3 inches long, brownor green with some darker markings. They have big hindlegs used for jumping, and two pairs of wings. Eggs aredeposited in late summer in elongated masses or podsinserted into the soil. The young hatch in spring and aftermolting five or six times, the adults appear, feed, and mate.Damage: Grasshoppers feed on nearly any kind of vegetation,particularly grasses. High populations can cause seriousdamage to young trees or to fruit, foliage, and new growth onolder trees. They chew holes in leaves and fruit.Management: Blister beetles, ground beetles, anthomyiid flies,and bee flies reduce grasshopper populations by laying theireggs in the soil near or in the egg pods. Tilling egg beds killsthe eggs. Applying recommended pesticides to hatching areasis effective. Birds, mammals, and predatory insects feed ongrasshoppers. Under favorable conditions, the fungi Beauveriabassiana and Entomophthora grylli cause grasshoppers tobecome diseased and die. Nosema locustae, a disease-causing protozoan, can be used as bait for controllinggrasshoppers in rangeland when free moisture is present.

The twostripedgrasshopper is a majorcrop pest in the lessarid parts of Nevada(left).

Grasshoppers chewholes through leaves,like this redleggedgrasshopper foundthroughout Nevada(right).

Clemson University - USDACooperative Extension Slide Series,



91

Blotch LeafminerDescription: Blotch leafminers are small, shiny, black flieswith clear wings. Larvae are yellowish white.Damage: Females puncture leaf surfaces of trees, shrubs, andvines to feed on sap and to deposit eggs, turning foliage whiteand giving it a stippled or speckled appearance. Larvae mineinside leaves, causing blotches or irregular tissues and makingleaves unattractive and unmarketable. Flowers may also bemined during heavy infestations. The poplar blotch minerattacks the leaves of poplars and cottonwoods across Nevada.Management: Get rid of infested plants and control hostweeds. Avoid continuous cropping and excess fertilization.Pesticides will only provide control if combined with otherefforts. Nematodes may control leafminers under dark andmoist conditions. Parasitic wasps control leafminers in naturalhabitats.

Larvae mine insideleaves causing blotches(right and below).

Lance S. Risley,William Paterson University,www.insectimages.org

Steven Katovich,USDA Forest Service,www.insectimages.org

Blotch leafminer larvavisible inside mine (left).

92

Serpentine LeafminerDescription: Adult serpentine leafminers are 1/8 inch longflies with a yellow and black upper body and a black head.Females lay tiny eggs in leaves. Larvae are yellow-green,legless maggots that feed beneath the leaf surface. Pupae areoblong and brown to gold.Damage: Serpentine leafminers mine the middle tissue layer ofleaves of vegetables, flowers, and fruits. Narrow minesproduced near the leaf margin are unattractive, but rarely kill theplant. Characteristic white, winding trails are left acrossleaves, especially in grapes.Management: Get rid of infested plant leaves and control hostweeds. Avoid continuous cropping and excess fertilization.Pesticides will not provide long-term control unlesscombined with cultural practices.

Serpentine leafminersleave white, windingtrails on leaves (left).

Maggots feedbeneath the leafsurface and are 1/8inch long (right).

Jerry A. Payne,USDA AgriculturalResearch Service,www.insectimages.org

Jerry A. Payne,USDA Agricultural Research Service,www.insectimages.org

93

Fruittree LeafrollerDescription: Eggs are laid in June in irregular masses ontwigs and branches. They overwinter and then hatch inFebruary or mid-March. Caterpillars have green bodies andshiny black heads. Mature larvae pupate within leaf rolls orin thin cocoons on branches or the trunk. Moths emergeafter 8 to 11 days. They have brown forewings with gold andwhite spots, hind wings are smoky gray.Damage: Fruittree leafrollers mostly feed on fruit and shadetree leaves, but may feed on blossoms, flower buds, and fruit.Larvae often roll and tie leaves, and sometimes fruit, togetherwith silken threads. They eat fruit, causing deep cavities.Fruits may fall, become misshapen, or develop deep bronze-colored scars with roughened net-like surfaces.Management: Search for egg masses and destroy them.Predators such as lacewings and ladybird beetle larvae feedon fruittree leafroller larvae. Handpick and destroy rolledleaves or webbed plant parts. Apply an oil spray in latewinter and mid-January and February before buds begin toopen. Be sure to spray all egg masses and smaller twigs.

Fruittree leafrollermoths have brownforewings with gold andwhite spots and smokygray hind wings (left).

Fruittree leafrollerlarvae feed onleaves (right).

James B. Hanson,USDA Forest Service,www.insectimages.org


94

Obliquebanded LeafrollerDescription: The adult moths are 3/8 to 1/2 inch long and tanwith an oblique, chocolate brown band across their forewings.Greenish eggs are laid in oval masses on the upper surface ofleaves. Mature larvae are dark green with a brown to blackhead capsule and thoracic shield.Damage: Larvae feed on flower parts, leaves, and young fruitof tree fruits and weeds early in the season. Leaves or flowerparts may be webbed together and fruit may drop or bedeformed. Feeding in the summer results in shallow tunnelsunder the skin of fruit, and young larvae chew small holes inthe fruit.Management: Use pheromone traps to monitor a population.There are several biological control agents that may providecontrol, including parasitic wasps and a tachinid fly. It iseasiest to control obliquebanded leafrollers with insecticidesearly in the season. Broad spectrum pesticides will control thispest in larval and adult stages. Obliquebanded leafrollers havebecome resistant to some pesticides.



Obliquebandedleafroller larvae aregreen with a darkhead and thoracicshield (right).

Adult moth(left).



95

Lesser ApplewormDescription: Adults are small moths, only about 1/4 inchlong. They are dark with gold on their wings and head.Larvae hatch from white eggs with yellow in the center. Theylook very similar to oriental fruit moth larvae. Mature lesserappleworm larvae are pinkish and have a dark brown head.Damage: Lesser appleworm mainly attacks apples, plums,and cherries. Damage is very similar to that done by codlingmoths. Larvae mostly feed on fruit, but also eat twigs andshoots. They mine under the outer skin of apples, producinga visible twisted tunnel. The blotchy mine is very shallow,rarely deeper than 1/4 inch. Infested twigs will have wiltedleaves that eventually turn brown and die.Management: Pheromone traps can be used to monitor thepresence of lesser appleworms. Spray applications shouldbe made before eggs are laid and when larvae hatch.Control measures used for codling moth will also controllesser appleworm.

Lesser applewormlarvae are pinkishwith dark heads(above). Adult mothsare dark with gold ontheir wings (left).

John E. Dunley,TFREC,Washington State Univ.

John E. Dunley,TFREC,

Washington State Univ.

96

Honeylocust Pod Gall MidgeDescription: These small (less than 1/8 inch long), black orbrown flies lay microscopic clusters of red eggs on new leafbuds in early spring. Eggs hatch in two days. The cream-colored larvae feed on new leaflets, producing galls. Larvaepupate inside the gall, once they emerge the gall dies anddrops, leaving bare leaf stalks. Midges overwinter in cocoonsin the soil near the base of trees. Midges have multiplegenerations per year and are most active on new shoot growthuntil midsummer.Damage: New leaflets develop unnaturally into brown, greenor reddish galls. Heavy infestations destroy the new leaflets,which causes leaves to turn brown and drop prematurely,leaving branches bare. Twig dieback may occur. Leaflets thathave fully expanded at the time of infestation are not affected.Management: Several predaceous and parasitic wasps feedon this midge. Interval spraying with superior or supremehorticultural oil to cover branch terminals as leaflets emergereduces damage. Chemical controls are available, but pod gallmidges can become resistant. Plant alternative species orgreen-leaved, not yellow-leaved cultivas of honeylocust thatare susceptible to attack.

The less than1/4 inch larvaeare cream-colored(above).

The tiny flies areinconspicuous andusually go unnoticed(above) until deformedleaves and pod gallsappear (left).Whitney Cranshaw,

Univ. of Colorado,www.insectimages.org

Whitney Cranshaw,Univ. of Colorado,


Whitney Cranshaw,Univ. of Colorado,


97

Pear PsyllaDescription: Pear psylla can only complete its developmenton pear trees, but may be found on other hosts. The adultsare small with brown to reddish bodies and a dark spot onthe top middle edge of both transparent wings. They lay tiny,yellowish orange eggs on or near fruit spurs. There are fiveimmature stages.Damage: Pear psylla spreads a phytoplasma that causespear decline, which reduces tree vigor and produces poorfruit set, small fruit size, and tree death. Pear psylla alsocauses blackening and burning of foliage because it injects atoxin into the tree tissue as it feeds. High populationsfeeding for several seasons may cause psylla shock, whichis a yellowing of the foliage in spring and premature reddingand defoliation in the fall. Nymphs produce honeydew asthey feed. A black, sooty fungus grows on the honeydew.Management: Predators and parasites of pear psylla areminute pirate bugs, green lacewings, brown lacewings,ladybird beetles, predaceous mirids, spiders, and smallparasitic wasps. Dormant sprays can be applied to reducethe populations and are most effective when used before egglaying begins. Ultrafine horticultural oil can then be applied tokeep populations low.

Pear psylla leaf damage (right).

Clear-winged adultpear psylla (left).



98

Pear Sawfly or Pear SlugDescription: Young larvae are pale with a light brown head.Particles of leaf tissue can be seen within their nearlytransparent bodies as they eat. Pear sawfly is also known aspear slug because the larvae exude olive-green slime overtheir bodies. Mature larvae are orange-yellow and about 1/2inch long. Adult pear sawflies are black and yellow with fourwings. They are only slightly larger than the common housefly.There are two generations per year.Damage: Larvae feed on leaf tissue in a circular pattern. Theyskeletonize leaves, leaving only the veins. They do not attackfruit.Management: Washing an infested tree with a forceful streamof water will remove the slugs. There are many parasites andpredators that attack pear sawfly and help manage the species.If a fruit tree is treated for other insects with a pesticide, pearsawfly will most likely not be a problem. Populations inneglected or unsprayed trees, however, can increase rapidly.



Adult pear sawfliesare a little largerthan the commonhousefly (right).

Larvae look likeslugs. Theyskeletonizeleaves (left).



99

Pine SawflyDescription: There are many species of pine sawflies.Adults are brown to black, similar in size to commonhouseflies, and have two pair of wings. They emerge fromcocoons in late summer to early fall, mate, and lay eggs incurrent-year pine needles. Eggs overwinter and larvaeemerge in the spring. Larvae grow to 1 inch long, aregrayish green to yellowish brown with dark stripes along theirside and back, and have a black head. Unlike caterpillars,appendages are noticeable on each body segment. Theyfinish feeding in mid to late summer, spin cocoons, andpupate. Only one generation is produced a year.Damage: Trees are rarely killed by the feeding of pinesawflies. Larvae feed on older foliage, seldom consumingcurrent-year needles. They move in colonies from onebranch to another and then onto adjacent trees. Moderate tosevere defoliation can occur, reducing tree growth.Repeated defoliation causes trees to weaken and becomemore susceptible to other stresses.Management: Pine sawflies have many natural enemies tokeep populations in check. They are killed by naturaloccurring diseases, fungal and bacterial pathogens, parasiticwasps, birds, shrews, mice, ants, and other insect predators.Unfavorable weather, such as late spring frosts, also keep themunder control. Prune out infested branches or, if necessary,spot treat branches with pesticides in order to preserve naturalenemies.

Larvae have noticeable appendages oneach body segment (above).

Adult fly (below).

Louis-MichelNageleisen,Departement de laSante de Forets-France,www.insectimages.org

E. Bradford Walker,Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation,


100

Shield BearersDescription: Shield bearer moths, several species live inNevada, are leaf miners as larvae. Mature larvae are about1/10 inch long, legless, and brownish orange.Damage: The larvae feed on the middle tissues of leaves,causing translucent, brown patches in the leaves. If aninfected leaf is held up to the light, the larvae can be seen.Full grown larvae cut oval sections out of the upper andlower leaf epidermis, web them together with silk, and dropout of the leaf on a silken thread. The shields may benoticed as they hang for a while before reaching the ground.Damaged leaves will drop prematurely from the tree, butpermanent damage to the tree does not usually occur. Theycommonly attack poplars, cottonwoods, oaks, manzanita,and fruit trees.Management: Reduce other stresses on infested trees asmuch as possible through adequate irrigation and fertilizerapplication. The shield bearer will not be a big problem if thetree is in good health. Chemical control is difficult becauselarvae live inside leaves. Spraying is not recommended forshield bearer control.

Shield bearers are leaf miners as larvae and feed onthe middle tissues of leaves causing translucent,

brown patches. Larvae are visible when the leaf isheld up to the light .

Lance S. Risley,William Paterson University,


101

Tomato HornwormDescription: Larvae are 31/2 to 4 inches long and pale greenwith white and black markings. A red or black spine-like hornon the rear of this caterpillar gives the insect its name. Adultsare large, grayish sphinx moths with a wing span of 4 to 5inches.Damage: Larvae feed on the leaves and stems of tomatoes,leaving dark green or black droppings that are easier to spotthan the insect. The foliage will have large, ragged holes, andentire leaves may be stripped to the veins or gone. They alsoattack the foliage of potatoes, eggplants, and green peppers.Parasitized hornworms will be covered with white bumps, andshould be left alone.Management: Handpicking and destroying tomato hornwormsis effective. Natural enemies, such as the parasitic wasp,should be left so they can parasitize the hornworms. Thebacteria Bacillus thuringiensis is very effective in controllingtomato hornworms.


The spine-likehorn on thecatepillar’srear gives thisinsect itsname. (left).


Adults are grayishmoths with large wingspans (right).

Jim Occi,BugPics,


Robert L. Anderson,USDA Forest Service,www.insectimages.org

102

Black Vine WeevilDescription: Black vine weevils are oval and about 1/2 inchlong. They are slate gray to black and have a short snoutwith elbowed antennae. The weevils have wings that arecovered with many small pits and patches of short hairs, butthey cannot fly. Larvae are C-shaped, legless grubs that arewhite with a brown head.Damage: Black vine weevils are pests of over 100 landscapeplants. The grubs cause the most severe damage by feedingon the roots and underground stems. Adults eat notches out ofleaf margins, but their feeding rarely impact the health of theplant. Symptoms of black vine weevils include stunting andyellowing. Root injury may stunt new growth and even resultin death.Management: Pit fall traps or beating sheets can be used tomonitor the activity of adult weevils. Nocturnal adults beginfeeding at dusk. Hand remove adults on single plants or insmall plantings. Application of an insecticide before eggs arelaid may be effective. Insect parasitic nematodes may controllarvae if temperatures are warm enough and there is adequatesoil moisture.

Grubs cause damage byfeeding on roots andunderground stems (left).

Black vine weeviladults have elbowedantennae (right).


Peggy Greb,USDA Agricultural Research Service,www.insectimages.org

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Hollyhock WeevilDescription: Hollyhock weevils are very small (1/8 inchlong), slim, gray to blackish beetles with conspicuous snouts.Snouts of males are about half as long as their bodies, andthose of females are even longer. Females lay eggs indeveloping flower buds. Larvae are white and legless. Theyfeed on the developing seed embryos and pupate within theseed, emerging later as adults through holes they eat in theseed pod.Damage: Hollyhock weevils feed on seeds, buds, and leavesof hollyhock. Damage on leaves looks like small, round holes.Feeding by larvae reduces the seed production by destroyingseeds.Management: To control hollyhock weevils, remove anddestroy the infested seed pods before the larvae emerge.Shaking the hollyhock plant over a sheet will cause theadults to drop. Application of an insecticide to hollyhockleaves may reduce damage.

Hollyhock weevil larvadevelop within theflower bud (left).

Hollyhock weevilshave prominentsnouts (right).



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Strawberry Root WeevilDescription: Adult strawberry root weevils are about 1/5 inchlong, light brown to black, with many rows of small pits orpunctures along their back. They have a long snout, andcannot fly. Tiny, pearly white eggs are laid in the soil aroundthe base of plants throughout the summer. Larvae are white,C-shaped, legless, and about 1/4 inch long.Damage: Larvae tunnel in the roots and crowns as they feedon strawberry, lilac, mock orange, and other ornamental plants,causing stunting and darkening of plants. The leaves of injuredplants are closely bunched, dark, and blue-green. This seriousdamage may weaken the plant so much that it dies. Adults eatsmall, irregular notches from the edges of leaves, but do nototherwise seriously damage woody shrubs.Management: To prevent insects from establishing in adjacentareas, plow under or till old strawberry beds immediately.Plant unsuitable hosts, such as corn, pumpkins, and perennialflowers, for at least two years. Fall plow infested planting beds,and move new plantings away from infested sites. Treat thesurface soils with chemicals when adults begin to emerge. Soildrenches may reduce larval numbers.

Adult strawberry rootweevils have small pitsalong their backs (above).

Adults eat small notchesfrom the edges ofleaves. Characteristicblack spots, fecal matter,is left on leaves (below).

Whitney Crenshaw,Colorado State University,www.insectimages.org

Whitney Crenshaw,Colorado State University,


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Codling MothDescription: Adults are 3/8 inch long, gray, mottled mothswith a 1/2 to 3/4 inch wing span and dark brown wing tips.White, disk-shaped eggs are laid singly on fruits, nuts,leaves, or twigs. Codling moth larvae are 1/2 to 1 inch long,white to pink caterpillars with mottled brown heads. In earlyspring, larvae pupate in silken cocoons.Damage: Codling moths attack apples, pears, walnuts, andplums. Larvae chew through the fruit’s skin or bore into theflesh, leaving a small scar. Larvae also bore to the core andfeed in the seed cavity. The surface of the fruit may havesmall holes covered with frass. As pears near maturity, asyrupy substance may exude from exit holes.Management: Pheromone traps can be used to monitorcodling moths. Trapping larvae in a trunk band can beeffective. Enclosing fruit on the trees in bags will preventaccessibility. Some control may be obtained if the eggparasite Trichogramma spp. is mass-released during peakegg laying time and combined with other control methods.Insecticides must be applied just as eggs are hatching to beeffective.

Codling moth larvae bore intothe flesh of fruit and feed inthe seed cavity (left).

Adults are gray, mottledmoths with dark brownwing tips (right).


Clemson University - USDACooperative Extension Slide Series,


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Dendroctonus BeetlesDescription: Adults are stout,1/8 to 1/4 inch long, cylindrical,dark reddish brown to black beetles. They work in pairs,boring through the bark and extending an egg gallerybetween the bark and wood. Egg galleries are packed withboring dust, except the portion where beetles are working,distinguishing them from most other bark beetle groups.Problem bark beetles in Nevada are the Douglas-fir beetle (D.pseudotsugae), Jeffrey pine beetle (D. jeffreyi), mountain pinebeetle (D. ponderosae), and spruce beetle (D. rufipennis). Theround-headed pine beetle (D. adjunctus) and the western pinebeetle (D. brevicomis) are also found in Nevada.Damage: A tree infested by Dendroctonus beetles may havepitch tubes (strings of sap) on its trunk and red boring dust inbark crevices and on the ground. Foliage will be discolored,and the wood of attacked trees may become blue-stained byfungi. Each species produces a uniquely shaped gallery.Western pine beetles galleries are much branched and windlaterally and longitudinally, crossing in a maze-like pattern.Mountain pine and Jeffrey pine beetle galleries are long andperpendicular with short bends at the bottom. Douglas-firbeetles have perpendicular, straight, or somewhat windinggalleries. Spruce beetle egg galleries are vertical and usuallyfilled with pitchy frass (wood dust). Round-headed pine beetleegg galleries are horizontal but then they wind longitudinally.Management: Reduce the threat of Dendroctonus beetles bythinning, watering, and fertilizing your trees. Healthy treesresist egg laying by exuding pitch and the eggs through the holein which the eggs were laid. Under stress, a tree reaches athreshold where not enough pitch can be produced to eliminatethe eggs. Remove and dispose of any infested trees orinfested tree parts on the ground. Burning or chipping kills barkbeetles. Debark wood of infested trees to destroy the gallerieswith eggs and larvae. Insecticides can be applied to the bark ofthe trunk and large branches of uninfested trees to protect them.

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Mountain pine beetles deposittheir eggs in long, perpendicularegg galleries (below).

Spruce beetles aredark brown to blackand hairy (above).

Spruce beetle galleries are vertical,and eggs are laid in long grooveson alternate sides (below).

Douglas-fir beetle galleries are mostlyin the inner bark and only slightlyetched in the sapwood (below).).

Adult Douglas-firbeetles are only 1/4 inchlong (above).

Dendroctonus Beetles

Mountain pine beetlesare stout, black,cylindrical beetles(above).

Mark McGregor,USDA Forest Service,www.insectimages.org

USDA Forest Service,Region 4 Archives,


Scott TunnockUSDA Forest Service,www.insectimages.org

Dave McComb,USDA Forest Service,www.insectimages.org

Dave Powell,USDA Forest Service,www.insectimages.org

USDA Forest Service,Rocky Mt. Region Archives,www.insectimages.org

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Ips BeetlesDescription: Ips beetles, or engraver beetles, are 1/8 to 3/8

inch long and reddish brown to black. A pronounced cavityat their rear is lined with three to six pairs of toothlike spines.Ips beetles make galleries just under the bark of trees. Thisborer does not pack its tunnels with boring dust. Theyconstruct a central nuptial chamber from which several eggtunnels radiate outward at right angles. Ips species found inNevada are Ips woodi, I. pilifrons, and I. confusus.Damage: Ips predominantly attack pines and spruces.Foliage will change from green to yellow, and eventually areddish brown. The tops of trees die back, a severeinfestation kills the entire tree. They leave a yellow orreddish boring dust (frass) in bark crevices, in small pilesaround entrance holes in the bark, or on the ground. Pitchtubes (sap from the tree) are not usually formed.Management: These bark beetles attack in the spring withthe coming of warm weather. They rarely attack healthytrees, so use practices that promote vigorous tree growth.Freshly pruned limbs and wood piles are usually infested.Newly transplanted trees, trees with root injuries, drought-stressed trees, and trees surrounded by large populations ofIps beetles are at the most risk of attack. Preventiveinsecticides can be applied on the trunks and large branchesof trees prior to an adult beetle infestation.

A cavity at theirrear is lined withthree to sixspines (left).

Boring dust canbe found on theground aroundattacked trees.(right).

Foliage onattacked treeschanges fromgreen to yellow(above).

Jim Stimmel,PA Dept. of Ag.,www.insectimages.org

tia smith,www.insectimages.org

David J. Moorhead,The Univ. of GA,www.insectimages.org

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American Plum BorerDescription: American plum borers are 1/2 to 1 inch long,grayish brown moths with reddish brown forewings markedby wavy, black and brown vertical bands. Hind wings arepale brownish gray with darkened margins. Larvae aregrayish green to grayish purple and pass through seveninstars. Pupae are tan to dark brown with black eyes andare found under the bark in white, silken cocoons sur-rounded by reddish frass.Damage: American plum borers are pests of commerciallygrown nut and fruit trees and many ornamentals. Larvaeenter the cambium layer through openings created bymechanical damage, diseases, sunscald, etc. They feedhorizontally, which girdles the tree. Damage is not seen onthe outer surface. American plum borers can also spreadplant pathogens.Management: Birds, particularly woodpeckers, feed on thelarvae. Parasitic wasps, predatory insects, and spiders arealso natural enemies. Fungi of the Hirsutella spp. attack thelarvae. Insecticides can be used. Apply an effectivepesticide when the first generation adults are emerging inspring and summer.

Adult American plumborers are moths (left).

American plum borermine cavity. Note thelarvae and silkencocoon (right).

James SolomonUSDA Forest Servicewww.insectimagges.org

James SolomonUSDA Forest Servicewww.insectimages.org

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Bronze Birch BorerDescription: Adults are about 1/2 inch long, hard-shelled,and slender. They are brown with a greenish tinge. Thecreamy white larvae are slender and flattened. The larvaepupate within the trunk and large limbs. They emerge asadults through 1/8 inch wide, D-shaped holes cut in the bark.Damage: Bronze birch borer attacks all species of birch.Larvae bore into the cambium, creating long, windinggalleries. Feeding can result in raised bumps or welts on thebark’s surface. Yellowing and thinning of leaves may occurin the upper crown. Leaves may show marginal burning orbrowning on affected branches. Larval feeding stops theflow of water and nutrients when vascular tissue is severed,eventually leading to the death of the tree.Management: Maintain healthy trees to avoid bronze birchborer attack. Mulch landscape birch trees to moderate soiltemperature and conserve soil moisture. Destroy (chip orbury in a landfill, do not save as fire wood unless debarked)infested trees before adults emerge in spring. Woodpeckersand a chalcid wasp (Phasgonophora sulcata) are naturalenemies. Pesticides may be applied to kill egg-laying adultsor larvae before they enter the bark. A soil drench of asystemic insecticide around the base of the tree controls thelarvae. Use as a preventive each spring.

A slender adult and two D-shapedexit holes (above). Feeding results inraised welts on the bark’s surface(right).

Steven Katovich,USDA Forest Service,www.insectimages.org

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Giant Palm BorerDescription: The adult is a large, 3-inch, dark brown to blackbeetle. It emerges at night 10 to 15 feet below the bud from thetrunks of palms. After a short period, it flies to a nearby palm,mates and lays up to 450 eggs in a chamber beneath the bud.The giant larvae are 3/4 inch in diameter and 3 inches long.Damage: First signs of beetle damage are off-colored leaves,then the death of the bud, leaves, or entire crown from thefeeding, tunneling and egg laying of the females. After the eggshatch, larvae tunnel and feed within the trunk for severalmonths. They then pupate in a chamber near the outside of thetrunk where they emerge as adult beetles to mate and initiatethe cycle again. The 3/4 inch diameter tunnels greatly weakenthe tree. The more tunnels there are, the more weak andhazardous the tree becomes. Feeding damage is found inmany palms, but the California Fan Palm, Washingtonia filifera,the Mexican Fan Palm, W. robusta, and the Date Palm,Phoenix dactylifera, are most often attacked.Management: Require a certificate of inspection stating that thepalms you buy are borer-free. Inspect all palms for feedingdamage, frass (sawdust-like debris) and a large egg-layingchamber at the base of the bud. A stethoscope may be used tolisten for the gnawing of larvae near the bud end of the palm.Reject or destroy infested trees. Burn, chip, or bury them in alandfill. No chemicals are registered for control.

Larva are tanto orange and 3 inches long

(below).

Large feedingtunnels damage

palm trunks (above).Adult beetles are dark

brown or black (above).Jeff Knight,Nevada Department of Agriculture


112

Locust BorerDescription: Adults are slender beetles about 3/4 inch longwith long, black antennae. Their bodies are black withyellow bands and reddish legs. Their wing covers form aW-shaped band. Eggs are laid in bark crevices and aroundwounds on the trunk and large branches of trees. Maturelarvae are legless, about 1 inch long, and have a reddishbrown head. Pupae are creamy white and about 3/4 inchlong. The larval and pupal stages take place within the tree.Damage: Locust borers only attack black locust and itscultivars. Larvae tunnel into the trunk and branches, causingbroken limbs and knotty swellings on the trunk. In earlyspring, a symptom of borer attack is wet spots on the bark.In late spring or early summer, white wood dust can be seenon the bark as they burrow into the heart wood. Later in thesummer the boring dust will be yellow.Management: Trunks and large limbs of black locust shadetrees can be sprayed with carbaryl for protection. Repeatapplications are necessary. Thinning will be beneficial onmoderate to lightly injured stands of trees. There is lessinjury when black locust is grown with other tree species.Remove older trees under stress with dying tops and plantmixed stands of trees.

Locust borer adults areblack with yellow bands(right). Adults leave exitholes in the stems oftrees (below).

Clemson University - USDACooperative Extension

Slide Series,www.insectimages.org

James Solomon,USDA Forest Service,www.insectimages.org

113

Peachtree BorerDescription: Adults are steel blue to black moths withyellow or orange markings. Males have clear wings withseveral narrow, yellow bands on their abdomen, whilefemales have metallic blue scales covering their wings and abroad, orange band on their abdomen. Larvae are lightbrown or pinkish with a darker head. They have onegeneration each year and survive winter in tunnels theymake at the base of trees. In spring, they spin silkencocoons covered with sawdust borings and soil fragments.Damage: Peachtree borers damage the limbs and trunks ofdeciduous stone fruit, nut, and ornamental trees. Larvaefeed just below the bark of the trunk near the ground andburrow up into the tree. Gum is exuded and piles of reddishbrown frass are left at the entrances of the tunnels.Management: Pheromone traps can be used to detectpeachtree borers. In the spring, check the soil line for frass,holes and webbing. The insect parasitic nematodeSteinernema carpocapsae can be effective if applied in midto late summer. Spraying insecticides when adults arepresent may control them.

Larvae feed near the ground, justbelow the bark of the trunk and gumis exuded (right).

Adult peachtree borers. A male on theleft and a female on right (above).

H C Ellis,The University of Georgia,www.insectimages.org

Randy Cyr,GREENTREE Technologies,www.insectimages.org

114

Fungus GnatDescription: Fungus gnats are delicate, mosquito-like fliesthat are dark brown or black and about 1/4 inch long. Theyhave long legs, large clear wings, and long antennae. Theycan occur outdoors, but are more often a pest of indoor plants.Adult females lay tiny eggs in clusters in moist pottingmedia. Larvae develop through four stages in the media.Damage: Soil borne larvae are pests of seedlings andcuttings, but may also damage older plants. They reducegermination, stunt growth, and cause foliage to wilt and turnyellow by feeding on roots and lower stems or leaves. Injuryto the roots provides a possible entry point for plantdiseases, which the flying adult gnats may carry to otherplants. Groups of larvae may leave slime trails in moistconditions.Management: Cultural control, sanitation, and exclusioncan effectively control fungus gnats. Yellow sticky trapscatch adults. Water management is important because theythrive under moist conditions. Allow potting media to dry outbetween waterings. Use an inorganic potting media (vermicu-lite, perlite, calcined clay) to reduce the larvae population.Good sanitation helps prevent diseases. Natural predators andinsecticides are available.

Adult fungus gnats are weakflyers and do not go far fromthe breeding site (right).

Larva have ashiny black headcapsule and aworm-like body(left).

Gerald J. Lenhard,www.insectimages.org



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White GrubsDescription: White grubs are the larvae of several largebeetles. They are fat, white, C-shaped, and about 1 inch longwhen mature. They have brown heads and three pairs of legs.They are not an annual, but a cyclic problem.Damage: Damage appears as a yellow to brown mosaicthroughout healthy lawns. Grasses are attacked. The grubsfeed on the roots of bluegrass, timothy, corn, soybeans, andother crops and on the tubers of potatoes. They may becomeserious pests of lawns and nursery plantings. The mostsevere damage occurs to crops that follow grass sod, turfgrass,or are grown as containerized plants.Management: Populations of white grubs can be reduced byplanting deep-rooted legumes, such as alfalfa, sweet clover, orother clovers, in rotation with more susceptible crops, such astimothy and small grains. Late summer or early fall plowingdestroys many larvae, pupae, and adults in the soil andexposes them to predators. Chemical control may benecessary.

Fat, C-shaped grubsare white withbrown heads andthree pairs of legs(right).

White grubs feedon the roots ofcrops causingdamage as withthese cornseedlings (left).

Alton N. Sparks, Jr.,The University of Georgia,www.insectiimages.org

Department of Entomology,University of Nebraska-Lincoln

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Biological Control Internet SourcesARBICO Organics. Tuscon, AZ. store.arbico-organics.com.

Association of Natural and Biocontrol Producers. TustinRanch, CA. www.anbp.org.

Beneficial Insectary. Redding, CA. www.insectary.com.

Bio-Integral Resource Center (BIRC). Directory of Least-ToxicPest Control Products. Berkeley, CA. www.birc.org.

Buglogical Control Systems, Inc. Tucson, AZ.www.buglogical.com.

Environmental Protection Agency. Washington, D.C.www.epa.gov.

Gardens Alive! Lawrenceburg, IN. www.gardensalive.com.

Green Fire. Chico, CA. www.greenfire.net.

Greenbook. Lenexa, KS. www.greenbook.net.

Harmony Farm Supply and Nursery. Sebastopol, CA.harmonyfarm.com.

Natural Pest Controls. Orangevale, CA. www.natpestco.com.

Peaceful Valley Farm and Garden Supply. Grass Valley, CA.www.groworganic.com.

Planet Natural. Bozeman, MT. planetnatural.com.

United State Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C.www.usda.gov.

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ReferencesBessin, R. Oriental Fruit Month. 2003. University of Kentucky

Cooperative Extension Service. <www.uky.edu/AG/Entomology/entfacts/fruit/ef212.htmf>.

Davidson, R.H. and W.F. Lyon. 1987. Insect Pests of Farm,Garden, and Orchard. John Wiley & Sons, New York, NY.

Dreistadt, S.H. 1998. Integrated Pest Management for Flori-culture and Nurseries. University of California, Division ofAgriculture and Natural Resources, Oakland, CA.

Dreistadt, S.H., J.K. Clark and M.L. Flint. 1994. Pests ofLandscape Trees and Shrubs, an Integrated PestManagement Guide. University of California, Division ofAgriculture and Natural Resources, Oakland, CA.

Flint, M. L. 1998. Pests of the Garden and Small Farm: AGrower’s Guide to Using Less Pesticide. 2nd Ed.,University of California, Division of Agriculture and NaturalResources, Oakland, CA.

Galford, J.R. 1997. The Locust Borer. USDA Forest Service.<www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/fidls/locust/locust.htm>.

Greenwood, P., A. Halstead, A.R. Chase, and D. Gilrein.2000. Pests & Diseases. Dorling Kindersley Publishing,Inc., NY.

Howitt, A.J. 1993. Common Tree Fruit Pests. Michigan StateUniversity Extension. NCR 63, East Lansing, MI.

Kain, D.P. and A.M. Agnello. 1997. American Plum Borer.New York State Integrated Pest Management Program.<www.nysipm.cornell.edu/factsheets/treefruit/pests/apb/apb.asp>.

Karren, J.B. and A.H. Roe. 2003. Locust Borer. Utah StateUniversity Extension. <extension.usu.edu/insect/fs/locustbo.htm>.

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ReferencesKlass, C. and W.T. Johnson. 2003. Black Vine Weevil. Cornell

Cooperative Extension. <www.cce.cornell.edu/suffolk/grownet/tree-insect/blvnwvl.html>.

Knoff, A. A. 1980. Bees, Ants, Wasps, and Kin. ChanticleerPress, Inc., NY.

Kulzer, L. 1998. Bug of the Month: Hollyhock Weevil.<crawford.tardigrade.net/bugs/BugofMonth32.html>.

Nielsen, G.R. Iris Borers. 2003. University of VermontExtension. EL 35. <www.uvm.edu/extension/publications/el/el35.htm>

Pederson, L., K. Matthews, P. Mocettini, D. Halsey, and A.Dymerski. 2001. Forest Insect and Disease Conditions inNevada. <www.fs.fed.us/r1-r4/spf/fhp/conditions/Neva2001.pdf>.

Shetlar, D.J.1995. Black Vine Weevil (and other root weevils).Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet HYG-20016-95. <ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2016.html>.

Skelly, J., W.S Johnson, W. Riggs, and J. Knight. Field Guideto Grasshoppers of Economic Importance in Nevada.University of Nevada Cooperative Extension ExtensionBulletin 02-02.

Visscher, P.K. 2006. Africanized Honey Bee Information InBrief. University of California Riverside, Department ofEntomology. <bees.ucr.edu/ahb-facts.html>.

Villegas, B. 2002. Rose Weevils (Curculio).<www.sactorose.org/ipm/84rosecurculios.htm>.

Wawrzynski, R.P., V. Krischik, and S. Katovich. The BronzeBirch Borer and its Management. University of Minne-sota Extension Service. <www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG1417.html>.

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UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OFFICES

Carson City/Storey County2621 Northgate Ln., Suite 15Carson City, NV 89706-1619(775) 887-2252

Lincoln CountyP.O. Box 728360 Lincoln St.Caliente, NV 89008-0728(775) 726-3109

Churchill County111 Sheckler Rd.Fallon, NV 89406-8951(775) 423-5121

Lyon CountyP.O. Box 811504 S. Main St.Yerington, NV 89447-0811(775) 463-6541

Clark County8050 S. Maryland Pkwy., Suite 100Las Vegas, NV 89123-0855(702) 222-3130

Mineral CountyP.O. Box 810314 5th St.Hawthorne, NV 89415-0810(775) 945-3444

Northeast Clark CountyP.O. Box 1261897 N. Moapa Valley Blvd.Logandale, NV 89021-0126(702) 397-2604

No. Nye County/Esmeralda CountyP.O. Box 231475 Saint Patrick St.Tonopah, NV 89049-0231(775) 482-5001

Douglas CountyP.O. Box 338Minden, NV 89423-03381329 Waterloo Ln., Gardnerville(775) 782-9960

So. Nye County1651 E. Calvada Blvd.Pahrump, NV 89048-5831(775) 727-5532

Elko County701 Walnut St.Elko, NV 89801-5032(775) 738-7291

Pershing CountyP.O. Box 239810 6th St.Lovelock, NV 89419-0239(775) 273-2923

Eureka CountyP.O. Box 613701 S. Main St.Eureka, NV 89316-0613(775) 237-5326

Washoe County/Incline VillageP.O. Box 8208865 Tahoe Blvd., Suite 110Incline Village, NV 89451-8208(775) 832-4150

Humboldt County1085 Fairgrounds Rd.Winnemucca, NV 89445-2927(775) 623-6304

Washoe County/Pyramid LakePaiute TribeP.O. Box 256Nixon, NV 89424-0256(775) 574-0101, ext. 28

Lander County815 N. Second St.Battle Mountain, NV 89820-2326(775) 635-5565

Washoe County/RenoP.O. Box 111305305 Mill St.Reno, NV 89520-0027(775) 784-4848

White Pine County995 Campton St.

Ely, NV 89301-0210(775) 289-4459

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NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE OFFICES

Carson City251 Jeanell Dr., Suite 3, 89703-3129(775) 684-5333

Las Vegas2300 McLeod St., 89104-4314(702) 486-4690

Elko1351 Elm St., 89801-3364(775) 738-8076

Reno350 Capitol Hill Ave., 89502-2923(775) 688-1182

Winnemucca1200 E. Winnemucca Blvd., 89445-2920

(775) 623-6502

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The University of Nevada, Reno is an equal opportunity, affirmative actionemployer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex,age, creed, national origin, veteran status, physical or mental disability, orsexual orientation in any program or activity it operates. The University ofNevada employs only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorizedto work in the United States.

Information herein is offered with no discrimination. Listing aproduct does not imply endorsement by the authors, Universityof Nevada Cooperative Extension (UNCE) or its personnel.Likewise, criticism of products or equipment not listed isneither implied nor intended. UNCE and its authorized agentsdo not assume liability for suggested use(s) of chemicals orother pest control measures suggested herein. Pesticidesmust be applied according to the label directions to be lawfullyand effectively applied.

Cooperating Agencies

Nevada Department of Agriculture

identification of common landscape pests and beneficial

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