Thousands of pest photos submitted for identification.
7197. I have noticed numbers of these insects at my camp near New Ross as well as in my workshop at home. New Ross, NS Canada
Number 7197. This is a western conifer seed bug, Leptoglossus occidentalis (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Coreidae). Although harmless, these can become nuisance pests when they enter homes in search of shelter. Western Conifer Seed Bug Detailed Information
7196. Blue Mountains, Ontario Canada
Number 7196. This is a western conifer seed bug, Leptoglossus occidentalis (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Coreidae). Although harmless, these can become nuisance pests when they enter homes in search of shelter. Western Conifer Seed Bug Detailed Information
7195. This was on my kitchen floor, need to know what it is. Yarmouth, Nova Scotia Canada
Number 7195. It’s a cobweb/comb-footed spider (family Theridiidae) in the genus Steatoda; likely Steatoda bipunctata (commonly known as the rabbit hutch spider). They are not aggressive, but may deliver a painful bite if handled carelessly. Cobweb Spider detailed information
7194. I would like to know what kind/species of spider this is. I live in Quebec Canada and I need to make sure it’s not an infestation. Gatineau, QC Canada
Number 7194. This is an eastern parson spider, Herpyllus ecclesiasticus, in the family Gnaphosidae (ground spiders). They may enter buildings while hunting for their prey, but will not become an infestation. Reportedly, they can have a painful but not dangerous bite. Eastern Parson Spider Images & Detailed Information
7193. We have been finding a few of these caterpillars in the house. Mostly near the patio door in the kitchen, however, we did see one at the top of the basement stairs. It is springtime now and has been quite rainy for the last couple of weeks. Can you help us identify it and suggest how to get rid of them. Nepean, Ontario Canada
Number 7193. This appears to be a millipede, an arthropod in the class Diplopoda. These basically are harmless scavengers on decomposing organic matter. but often are considered nuisance pests when they occur indoors. They require a moist environment in order to thrive, so moisture management is the best control. Keep indoor humidity levels as low as practical, and eliminate as many unnecessary sources of moisture as possible, including leaky pipes/water taps, condensation from refrigeration/air-handling units, etc.
7192. We have found at least 20 of these in the last few weeks since moving into our home in Carlisle, ON. They vary in size, this one is about an inch long in total (legs and all). My husband said he saw one much bigger. Noticeable large bobbly things on its head (excuse the lack of proper terms) What are they? Are they dangerous? only seems to be in one room in our basement. Carlisle, ON. Canada
Number 7192. It is a male spider; the “bobbly things” are its pedipalps, used to transfer its sperm to a female spider during mating. The image is not clear enough for, but it likely is a wolf spider (family Lycosidae). These are active hunters that often enter buildings during their searches for prey. They are not dangerous to humans.
7191. Found in my 2nd floor bathroom. Were not here last year when I moved in. Edmonton, Alberta Canada
Number 7191. This is not a pest. It is a scarlet malachite beetle, Malachius aeneus (Coleoptera: Melyridae). Scarlet Malachite Beetle Detailed information
7190. Toronto, ON Canada
Number 7190. These could be larvae/larval skins of a carpet beetle (Coleoptera: Dermestidae. These will feed on and damage a very wide variety of organic materials, including woolen and silk fabrics, feathers, hides, dry stored food products, etc. Click here for some control advice.
7189. Only submitting because I looked it up and it did not say that these spiders are found in Canada! I found this one on Vancouver Island, British Columbia! I think it is a Johnson jumping spider- just want to know if maybe it’s a new spider to be found in BC? Duncan, British Columbia Canada
Number 7189. It does look like one of the colour morphs of Phidippus johnsoni, and that species has been reported from British Columbia – Color Morphs Detailed Information
7188. Hi, and thank you for helping with this. On our apple tree today (4-28-2021) in Rochester , NY I saw two of these “pollinator assassins” capturing, killing and then ?sucking body fluid from small pollinators. What can you tell me about them and about the range of harm to pollination? Thank you! Honeoye Falls, New York United States
Number 7188. This is a nymph of an assassin bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Reduviidae) in the genus Zelus. These are opportunistic predators on any other small invertebrates (usually other insects) that they are able to capture. Although they are quite widespread and common, they are unlikely to have a significant impact on pollinator populations. Assassin Bug Detailed Information
7187. Found indoors in April. Seems to prefer crawling as opposed to flying. Sitting on 1/4” graph paper. Armstrong, BC. Canada Hi, It was crawling on our rug and it was around 3 mm in length. North York, Ontario Canada
Number 7187. This appears to be Rhyparochromus vulgaris, a dirt-colored seed bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Rhyparochromidae). This is a European species recently introduced to western North America.
7186. Hi, It was crawling on our rug and it was around 3 mm in length. North York, Ontario Canada
Number 7186. This is a carpet beetle (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) in the genus Attagenus (black carpet beetles and allies). The adult beetles do no damage, but their larvae can be quite destructive. Carpet Beetle Larvae Image
7185. Outside all over deck railings. Bundle in big groups together. Slow moving. Don’t seem to like direct sunlight. Pointe au Baril, Ontario. Canada
Number 7185. These springtails, primitive arthropods in the order Collembola, closely related to true insects. These basically are harmless scavengers on bits of decomposing organic matter, but they can become nuisance pests when they occur indoors in large numbers. Yours appear to be in the family Poduridae. Springtails Detailed Information
7184. This guy was in my house hiding in the load of towels less than an inch long. Soft body no wings brownish in color. What type of bug is this. Winnipeg, MB Canada
Number 7184. This is a nymph of an assassin bug known as a masked hunter (Reduvius personatus; Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Reduviidae), a cosmopolitan species often found indoors and reputed to have a very painful ‘bite’- Assassin Bug Detailed Information
7183. Very small fly/moth? that I have recently started to find in my house. Seem to come out in the evening and are attracted to my living room lamp light. They just hang on the walls. Seem to multiple quickly as there were at least 10 last night. I can’t seem to find them in the day. Have translucent looking wings with a reddish head. VICTORIA, British Columbia Canada
Number 7183. This is a non-biting midge (Diptera: Chironomidae). If you live anywhere near water, you likely will be seeing a lot more of these as their larvae are aquatic, like their cousins, mosquitoes.
7182. Hello, we found a few of these bugs in our home on the walls. We would appreciate it if you could identify the insects, explain if they are dangerous and how we can ensure that they will not reappear. We do not know where they are coming from. Thank you, RICHMOND HILL, ON Canada
Number 7182. This is a broad-nosed/short-snouted weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae; subfamily Entiminae). These weevils often enter buildings in search of shelter, but do no harm there. Short of hermetically sealing your home, there simply is no way to ensure that you will not receive more visitations.
7181. Hi, I was just wondering… Are these stink bugs doing what I think they’re doing? Are they propagating the species? Pelham, Alabama United States
Number 7181. If you mean mating, yes they are. Also, they are brown marmorated stink bugs, Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Pentatomidae). This is an introduced species that has become a pest, primarily in orchards, in many areas of North America. They will come indoors in search for shelter, but do no harm there.
I live in an apartment and I feel like there may be something fishy about what the pest control company is doing. 2 months ago they checked all suites. When they came to ours, which was cleaner than clean, and we just emptied the trash an hour before, the man magically found ONE cockroach in the garbage can and claimed we’re infected when we’ve never seen them before, and never again afterwards but for some reason now, 2 months later they wanted to spray poison around our suite even though there is no physical evidence of any pests here. We had kicked them out on their visit yesterday for unrelated matters of them using homophobic slurs and making pedophiles jokes when they thought we weren’t around, BUT I want to know if there is a reason to want to spray poison like that for finding one cockroach in our suite 2 months ago cause I’m sure our landlord will be approaching us soon. Duncan, BC
If your account of events is accurate, it is unlikely that you have a cockroach problem serious enough to require professional intervention. However, just to be on the safe side, I suggest that you procure a few sticky traps (‘Roach Motels’) and place them in your apartment according to directions. If you do not catch any cockroaches within a few days, that should confirm no need for control.
7180. Beetle larva. London, Ontario. Canada
Number 7180. This appears to be a larva of a large species of ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae). These are general predators on other small invertebrates, primarily other insects. Ground Beetle Detailed Information
7179. I suspect a giant water bug but would like confirmation. No ponds or standing water nearby. Strathroy, Ontario. Canada.
Number 7179. It certainly is a giant water bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Belostomatidae). These are strong fliers that may be found far from any water source. Giant Water Bug Detailed information
7178. I m just wondering what kind of bug this is. It was found in PEI in someone’s house. Crapaud, PEI. Canada
Number 7178. This is a western conifer seed bug, Leptoglossus occidentalis (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Coreidae). Although harmless, these can become nuisance pests when they enter homes in search of shelter. Western Conifer Seed Bug Detailed Information
7177. I have noticed these insects inside my guest bedroom. They were on the walls, floor as well as ceiling. I want to know the exact name so I can use the correct solution to get rid of it. Burlington, ON. Canada
Number 7177. This appears to be a drugstore beetle (aka biscuit beetle), Stegobium paniceum (Coleoptera: Anobiidae). These beetles will infest an extremely wide variety of dry stored food products, including cereals, flour, baking mixes, spices, drugs, pet foods, etc. Drugstore Beetle Detailed Information
7176. I found this on the wall in my bathroom this morning. Could you please identity what it is? Toronto, Ontario. Canada
Number 7176. The image is not clear enough for a confident identification; it might be a very young nymph of a German cockroach, Blattella germanica (Blattodea: Ectobiidae), a peridomestic species difficult to bring under complete control. Cockroach Control Recommendations
7175. Large black beetle ~ 1.25-1.5″ tracking along the water’s edge — south shore of Wolfe Island (Lake Ontario) only one seen along the length of the beach 25 Mar 21 mid-afternoon. KINGSTON, ON. Canada
Number 7175. This is a predaceous diving beetle (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae); likely in the genus Dytiscus. They along with their larvae (’water tigers’) are voracious predators on other small aquatic life forms. They are strong fliers that often are found far from any water source.
7174. Saw this the other day and could not find any info on this online. Hoping you can help indentify this little guy. MONCTON, NB. Canada
Number 7174. This is a paper wasp (Hymenoptera: Vespidae; subfamily Polistinae) in the genus Polistes; most likely P. fuscatus, the northern paper wasp – Paper Wasp Image Usually not aggressive, they will defend their nest if it is disturbed. I have found their sting to be very painful, but the effects wear off quickly.
7173. Hi there. I have these little flies in my house. I have sprayed all my indoor plants with insecticides but that doesn’t seem to have helped so not sure what to do to get rid of them. any help greatly appreciated. Edmonton, Alberta. Canada
Number 7173. These look like dark-winged fungus gnats (Diptera: Sciaridae). They breed primarily in very wet/water-logged soil having a high organic content. The most effective control is to allow the soil in potted plants to dry out as much as practical between waterings. The flies are harmless nuisance pests, but their larvae sometimes can cause damage to very tender plant parts. Fungus Gnats Control Suggestions
7172. Found on pillow. Barrie, Ontario. Canada
Number 7172. This appears to be a nymph of an assassin bug known as a masked hunter (Reduvius personatus; Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Reduviidae), a cosmopolitan species often found indoors and reputed to have a very painful ‘bite’- Masked Hunter Detailed Information
7171. Seen crawling through long grass at the end of summer. Charlie Lake, BC. Canada
Number 7171. This is an orb weaving spider (family Araneidae) in the genus Araneus that has wandered away from its web. All orb weavers are harmless to humans. Orb Weaving Spider example
7170. Could you identified this insect? There were more of these in a house and sometimes they bites. VOLOS, Pilio, Greece
Number 7170. This is a thrips (order Thysanoptera); it looks like a predatory species in the family Phlaeothripidae. Thrips have only one mandible, so they scrape rather than bite. Nevertheless, some will occasionally ‘sample’ human skin.
7169. Black about half inch long. Found in bedding in the basement. Possibly biting. Live in Ontario. Whitby, On. Canada
Number 7169. This is a ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae); these are general predators on other small invertebrates, mainly other insects. Ground Beetle Detailed information
7168. These bugs have been found in my bed and have been cause huge welts on my skin when they bite or sting. Calgary, Alberta. Canada
Number 7168. The image is too blurry for me to be certain, but it has the appearance of a rove beetle (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae). That being the case, it is very unlikely to have caused your symptoms. The only rove beetles known to cause any skin lesions are in the genus Paederus, and these are strikingly coloured, with alternating bands of black and orange – Click here for an example. Also, they need to be crushed against skin in order to cause any harm.
7167. These bugs keep showing up one by one in my bedroom. I want to know what type of bug they are and if they are need for concern. Thank you. Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario. Canada
Number 7167. This is a sowbug, a terrestrial crustacean in the order Isopoda; the vast majority of these are harmless scavengers on decomposing organic matter. They breathe through gills that must be kept moist, so keeping your environs as dry as possible will discourage them from staying. See Sowbug Detailed Information
7166. This was found on my kitchen counter, I have only found one. It is approximately 4mm long and 2mm wide. I had it in a container for a day and when I went back to check on it there was a very small white crusty looking substance about 1mm wide and maybe 3mm long but did not look like and exoskeleton or shed of any kind. Thank you, I appreciate you looking. Calgary, AB. Canada
Number 7166. This is nymph of a German cockroach, Blattella germanica (Blattodea: Ectobiidae), a peridomestic species difficult to bring under complete control. See Cockroach Control Recommendations