Thousands of pest photos submitted for identification.

Grain beetles

7479.       Found in kitchen pantry. Also appears to have burrowed in charcuterie board. Burlington, Ontario. Canada

 

Number 7479.  This appears to be one of the grain beetles in the genus Oryzaephilus (Coleoptera: Silvanidae). They can be pests in dry stored food products such as flour, baking mixes, dry cereals, dry pet food, etc. I suggest inspecting your food storage areas for any signs of insect infestation. See Grain beetles detailed information 

 

Beetles – Dermestidae

7478.      I have been finding these beetles (?) crawling inside our house in random places at least once day for the past few weeks. They can fly but almost never do, move very slowly and are easy to pick up. Approx 5 mm in lengths. It is February, we live in Black Mountain area of Kelowna, lots of trees around. Kelowna, BC. Canada

 

Number 7478.    These are beetles in the family Dermestidae (hide/skin/carpet beetles and allies); it looks like Megatoma variegata, a species native to the Pacific Northwest – see Beetles – Dermestidae detail information

 

Bed Bugs

A friend of mine recently had bed bugs. Thankfully, it seems they were caught early, and after two sprays two weeks apart they seem to be gone. Erring on the side of caution, I’m wondering when it will be safe to have my friend over to my place again, or to go visit him at his place? I know bed bugs aren’t exactly “contagious” but I’m concerned about one possibly hitching a ride on a jacket, tote bag, backpack, etc. And, of course, I don’t want to make my friend feel bad. I can’t find any good information online about this. Could you please help me out? Toronto

Don’t take/wear anything with you that you cannot fit into a large (contractor size) plastic bag after your visit. Then see https://tinyurl.com/4vhdwnkn for suggestions on using either heat or cold to kill any unwanted hitchhikers.

German cockroaches

Adult German cockroach was seen and killed on Dec 16 but my son had seen small dark bugs in the kitchen about a week ago. The place was sprayed yesterday on Dec 21st. They notified us that no further treatments were required. Will one treatment get rid of all of them? Where can I buy bait etc. to ensure none survived? I’ve looked and looked and I can’t find anything in Canada.

German cockroaches are notoriously difficult to bring under complete control. I suggest using ‘Roach Motels’ as monitoring devices, and if cockroaches show up in them, schedule another treatment. In the meantime, the insect growth regulator (IGR) Pyriproxyfen should be available in Canada – see http://tinyurl.com/yckcpc38 It usually is marketed under the brand name NyGuard.

larva

Can a larva get inside a humans ears and mouth? Gulfport Mississippi

Yes, this can occur, but very uncommonly, and then usually associated with other underlying factors. See http://tinyurl.com/3duchw6v and http://tinyurl.com/3kwx59sx for oral (mouth) and http://tinyurl.com/yhndh338 for aural/otic (ear) cases.

Dark-winged fungus gnat

7477.      Not sure what those flies are, I have a few of them in the house ( bathroom, kitchen ). The weather is fairly cold at this time of the year. Could it come from one of my plants? Thank you. Gatineau, QC. Canada

 

Number 7477.     This appears to be a dark-winged fungous gnat (Diptera: Sciaridae). Although usually just nuisance pests, larvae of some species can damage roots and other soft plant tissues of potted plants that are in contact with soil. They need very moist/wet soil in order to thrive, so one of the simplest control measures is simply to let the soil dry out as much as practical between waterings. See Dark-winged fungus gnat control suggestions .

 

Geometridae

7476.     Port au Choix, Newfoundland and Labrador. Canada

 

Number 7476.    This is a moth in the family Geometridae; their caterpillars are known as loopers, inchworms, or spanworms. This is a huge family, but only a few specie are serious pests. See Geometridae Video Clip

 

Thread-legged bug

7475.     Found late at night in the kitchen walking (slowly) on the kitchen counter. Aproximately the size of an American dime. Pelham, Alabama. United States

 

Number 7475.     This is thread-legged bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Reduviidae; subfamily Emesinae). Most are general predators on other small arthropods; some specialize on spiders, and may steal the spiders’ prey as well. Very interesting insects that many people never see.

 

larva of carpet beetle

7474.    3 mm long insect found next to my grandpas day bed. Vancouver, BC. Canada

 

Number 7474.    This appears to be a partial larva of carpet beetle (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) in the genus Anthrenus. See carpet beetle control suggestions .

 

Boxelder bug

7473.    Calgary, AB. Canada

 

Number 7473.    This appears to be a boxelder bug, Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Rhopalidae; Boisea sp., most likely a western boxelder bug, Boisea rubrolineata – see Boxelder bug clip

 

Leaf-footed bug

7472.     Saw this near our trash inside our home today. wondering if it’s a kissing bug? It’s my first time seeing this so I’m a little bit worried cause I have kids around. London, Ontario. Canada

 

Number 7472.    This is a harmless leaf-footed bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Coreidae), likely a western conifer seed bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis). These often enter buildings in search of shelter, but do no harm there. See Leaf-footed bug detailed information .

 

Weevil

7471.    Ottawa, Ontario. Canada

 

Number 7471.    This is a weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). If it is very small (less than 4 mm), it could be one of the granary weevils in the genus Sitophilus. Just to be safe, you should check all food storage areas for signs of insect infestation. See weevil detailed information 

 

Larva of carpet beetle

7470.     Hello, We got a few bites this month, like giant mosquito bites but really itchy and large (and we don’t usually react to mosquitos). Checked our room for bedbugs but found no signs at all. But in the room next to us where our laudry piles up and next to a window that has holes in the screen, we found a few of these bugs. They do not seem to jump or fly and are maybe 1-3 millimeters in size. Please let us know! ETOBICOKE, Ontario. Canada

 

Number 7470.     This is a larva of carpet beetle (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) in the genus Anthrenus. It is very unlikely to be the cause of your bite symptoms. See carpet beetle control suggestions .

 

Grain mites

Hello. I’m seeking assistance in gathering information on grain mites. I have an infestation at my residence mainly in the kitchen. We have done everything from using the wood stove and a dehumidifier to lower the humidity. Countless cleanings. Removal of all food. We have been told we may need to dismantle the kitchen and remove the cabinets to remove any potential food source in the residence. Is this true ? Is there a product or treatment for this ? I believe it was caused by a grocery shopping trip to wallmart and an infected product may have been brought into the home. Please any information will be helpful. We have not been able to cook at home and eating out is extremely expensive in our location. Please any information would be helpful. Thanks

After taking the measures that you have already done, I am somewhat puzzled that you would still have an infestation problem. A complete dismantling of your kitchen should not be necessary. Are you absolutely certain that significant numbers of grain mites are still present? If so, you should be able to detect a distinct ‘minty’ odor. The only other suggestion that I have is that if you haven’t already done do, keep all of your unrefrigerated infestable food items in air-tight sealable containers.

Cloth moths

We had clothing moths – identified by pheromone traps. We have heat-treated textiles that can be heated and put in vacuum-sealed bags, and we are slowly working through freezing items that can’t be heat-treated. There are items where it’s not suitable for either. We have put them in vacuum-sealed bags. I believe that within a couple of weeks, it would suffocate any moths or larvae. My QUESTION is… will suffocation kill eggs? Toronto

Clothes moth eggs usually hatch in 3 to 10 days, so if the materials are kept vacuum sealed for at least three weeks, that should suffice. If the bags are transparent, you should be able to determine whether any living larvae are present. This article has some good control advice: https://tinyurl.com/3wa7u4mm

Grain beetles

7469.    Found indoors, in a ground floor condo, smaller than a grain of rice. Toronto, Ontario. Canada

 

Number 7469.    This appears to be one of the grain beetles (Coleoptera: Silvanidae) in the genus Oryzaephilus (saw-toothed and merchant grain beetles). They will infest a wide variety of dry stored food products, and nay become pantry pests – see Grain beetles detailed information .

 

Broad-nosed/short-snouted weevil

7468.    Trying to figure out what this bug is… flea? Kitchener Ontario. Canada

 

Number 7468.    This is a broad-nosed/short-snouted weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae; subfamily Entiminae). These often enter buildings in search of shelter, but do no harm there.

 

Bot fly

7467.    This was crawling across my living room floor. Is it a bot fly larva? Can they just come into a home on their own? we have no pets or kids. Toronto, Ontario. Canada

 

Number 7467.  It is a mature bot fly (Diptera: Oestridae; subfamily Cuterebrinae) larva that has emerged from its host (most likely a rodent or rabbit) and is seeking a safe place to undergo pupation. These are incapable of entering buildings on their own. See Bot fly detailed information

 

Orb weaver

7466.      Temple City, California 91780. United States

 

Number 7466.  This is an orb weaver (family Araneidae), it looks like a Neoscona sp., possibly N. crucifera.

 

Argiope aurantia

7465.        Hanging in window, outside. Large! Elora, ON. Canada

 

Number 7465.    This is Argiope aurantia, a very common and widespread orb weaving spider (family Araneidae). Because of its very wide geographic range, it goes by a wide variety of common names. See Argiope aurantia examples . All orb weavers are harmless to humans.

 

Female Argiope aurantia

7464.        Very large spider. Meteghan, NS. Canada

 

Number 7464.    This is a female Argiope aurantia, a very common and widespread orb weaver (family Araneidae) that goes by a wide variety of common names. Like all other orb weavers, it is harmless to humans. See Argiope aurantia more information.

 

Smokybrown cockroach

7463.        It only come out in the light, very fast, around the sink. I’m in GA. I noticed it has a line but some don’t have a line. I tried putting peppermint oil around the counter but it does not fade this bug. Decatur, GA. United States

 

Number 7463.      This is a nymph of a smokybrown cockroach, Periplaneta fuliginosa (Blattodea: Blattidae) . See Smokybrown cockroach information and Smokybrown cockroach more information .

 

Grain beetles

7462.         We live in Montreal and these are in our pantry and randomly throughout our apartment. Montreal, QC. Canada

 

Number 7462.     The image is too small for me to be certain, but it might be one of the grain beetles (Coleoptera: Silvanidae) in the genus Oryzaephilus; these are quite common pantry pests. See Grain beetles more information .

 

Winged ant

7461.        There is a swarm of these bugs dropping onto my back deck, car, roof just everywhere they land. The swarm is flying above some trees in my backyard. I am unable to identify them myself, hoping you guys can! Thanks 🙂 Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia. Canada

 

Number 7461.    This a winged ant, but I cannot tell which species it might be. Swarming of winged ants is just a part of their mating ritual – see Winged ant details .

 

Broad-nosed/short-snouted weevil

7460.         Hi, What is this bug? We found this at my son’s cloth. So scared. Vancouver, BC. Canada

 

Number 7460.      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.

 

Rove beetle

7459.        We are on Vancouver Island in a rural area. We suddenly have an influx of small insects in the house. They are quite slow moving, don’t fly, are about 5-6mm long, and seem to be all over the floors. I have never seen them before although we have lived here for 12 years. It has rained recently for the first time in quite a while, but that is the only change in weather. Any thoughts as to what these might be would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Ladysmith, B.C. Canada

 

Number 7459.        This is a rove beetle (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae). The vast majority of these beetles are general predators on other small invertebrates, mostly other insects. Rove beetle detailed information .

 

Broad-nosed/short-snouted weevil

7457.         Multiple inside the house. West St Paul, Manitoba. Canada

 

Number 7457.       This is a broad-nosed/short-snouted weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae; subfamily Entiminae). They often enter buildings in search of shelter, but do no harm there. broad-nosed/short-snouted weevil image .

 

Cobweb/comb-footed spider

7456.        Found in small tangled web behind door, near floor. Ottawa, Ontario. Canada

 

Number 7456.     This is Steatoda triangulosa, a cobweb/comb-footed spider (family Theridiidae) known as the triangulate cobweb spider. Although belonging to the same family as the widow spiders, it is harmless to humans. See Cobweb/comb-footed spider detailed information .

 

Firebrat

7455.           We found them in the kitchen floor. They are active only at night and are very fast! LaSalle, QC. Canada

 

Number 7455.    This is a firebrat, Thermobia domestica (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae). They and their close cousins, silverfish (Lepisma saccharina), are scavengers that will feed on just about any organic material, Usually considered nuisance pests, large populations, if left undisturbed, can damage items such as fabrics, wallpaper, books, and other paper. See Firebrat detailed information , including control suggestions.

 

Cicada nymph

7454.          What kind of insect is this and does it bite? Scarborough, ON. Canada

 

Number 7454.      This appears to be the empty ‘shell’ (exoskeleton) of a cicada nymph (Hemiptera/Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadidae). When cicada nymphs have completed their development under ground, they tunnel up to the surface and seek out some vertical surface to climb up on, where they will then shed their exoskeleton and rest a while before taking wing as adults. They do not bite.

 

Ground spider

7453.            Found on deck at back of house. Ottawa, ON. Canada

 

Number 7453.       This is a ground spider (family Gnaphosidae) in the genus Sergiolus, most likely S. montanus – see Ground spider image . They are not dangerous to humans.

 

Great golden digger wasp

7452.         I have more pictures but they won’t upload. Please email if more are required. I have never seen this bug before. Inkerman, Ontario. Canada

 

Number 7452.     This appears to be a great golden digger wasp, Sphex ichneumoneus (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae). The female wasp digs burrows in the soil that she then provisions with insects (most often relatives of grasshoppers) that she has paralyzed with her sting. These serve as food for her developing larvae. See Great golden digger wasp detailed information .

 

Lace bug

7451.        Hi, we cannot find this tiny bug ID anywhere. For a size comparison the stitching seen on the photo is the stitching on an IPAD cover. We have lived in Medicine Hat for 50 years and never seen this one before. I hope the picture is clear enough as we had to zoom in and save it as the bug was so tiny. Thanks. Medicine Hat, AB. Canada

 

Number 7451.    This is a lace bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Tingidae). These are sap feeders, usually found on the underside of leaves. See Lace bug image .