Thousands of pest photos submitted for identification.

Nymphs of the eastern boxelder bug

7390.      Zoom in to see individual bugs as there were thousands of them . suspect termites? Burlington, Ontario. Canada

 

Number 7390.    These are nymphs of the eastern boxelder bug, Boisea trivittatus (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Rhopalidae), a very common nuisance pest. See boxelder bug image .

Orb weaver

7389.      Seen this spider in summer till now. I have 2 in the front of my home, one under siding above a window and one in the crevice of our self roll up garden hose gadget, and one at the back under roof above kitchen door.. Webs are large. They don’t seem aggressive but I find the design on the orbital part of the body fascinating. I stay close to highway 16 so I am not sure if they are native to our area or hitchhiked a ride on any transport trucks from Haida Gwaii to Alberta and from Dease Lake to Vancouver. Skeena–Bulkley Valley, British Columbia. Canada

 

Number 7389.    This is an orb weaver in the genus Araneus, most likely A. gemmoides; see Orb weaver image . This species is native to British Columbia.

Treehopper

7388.      I thought it was a moth but it moves around more like a leaf or tree hopper. The head is the pinkish part, has 3 legs on either side (total 6), was the size of a small pea. Toronto, Ontario. Canada

 

Number 7388.    This appears to be a treehopper (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Membracidae), but the image is not clear enough to be absolutely certain. See treehopper detailed information .

Nymph of a true bug

7387.      Found a dozen in one day. Mainly crawling on interior walls in my third floor apartment. Just want to make sure they are not harmful. Vancouver, BC. Canada

Number 7387.      The is of a very young nymph of a true bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera), likely in the family Rhopalidae, such as a boxelder bug (Boiseatrivittata). These can be nuisance pests when they get indoors, but cause no real harm. See boxelder bug detailed information .

Forked fungus beetle

7386.      On our walks my husband and I had come across these bugs on a fungi. We have never seen these in the 12 years of walking our path. We are very curious on what they are etc. Thank you in advance for your information on this. Cherry Grove, Alberta. Canada

 

Number 7386.      This is a male forked fungus beetle, Bolitotherus cornutus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). They and their larvae feed in and on shelf fungi; see Forked fungus beetle detailed information .

Aphid

7385.      What is this? I found it on my bed. I have bites too. Gatineau, Quebec. Canada

 

Number 7385.      This is an aphid (Hemiptera/ Sternorrhyncha: Aphididae). Sometimes called plant lice, aphids are sap feeders on a very wide variety of plants, and some species vector viral diseases of plants. They do not bite people. See Aphid Detailed Information .

Marbled orb weaver

7384.      My best guess is a variety of Orb Weaver Spider? East St. Paul, Manitoba. Canada

 

Number 7384.      It is indeed an orb weaver (family Araneidae); it most likely is a marbled orb weaver, Araneus marmoreus. This species comes in a very wide variety of colour patterns. See Marbled orb weaver detailed information .

Hairy chinch bug

7383.      There was over 300 all over my house brick walls this sunny and hot afternoon, had not seen a single one before that time. Around 30 minutes after mowing the lawn I realized they were everywhere. Have not seen one inside yet but I guess they could just be hiding ? Montreal, Quebec. Canada

 

Number 7383.    This looks like a hairy chinch bug, Blissus leucopterus (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Blissidae) a common lawn/turf pest. See Hairy chinch bug detailed information .

Nymph of an assassin bug

7382.      This was on a cake that was in a box in our fridge. It’s really small and started to move when we tried to touch it to see if it was even a bug. Richmond Hill, ON. Canada

 

Number 7382.    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’- see Assassin Bug Detailed Information .

Funnel weavers

7381.      Hello, I live in a basement suite in Southern Alberta and I’ve been seeing these spiders everywhere inside. They are between the size of a nickel and a dime. Lethbridge, Alberta. Canada

 

Number 7381.    These most likely are funnel weavers (family Agelenidae) in the genus Eratigena. They are not dangerous to humans. See Funnel weavers detailed information

European firebug

7380.      Scarborough, Ontario. Canada

 

Number 7380.    This is a European firebug, Pyrrhocoris apterus (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae), an introduced species currently sporadically distributed in North America. See European firebug Image & Map Distribution . These primarily are nuisance pests that reportedly feed mainly on the seeds of plants in the mallow family. See European firebug control recommendations .

Lace bug

7379.      These bugs are found in my Saskatoon bushes in my backyard. I am covered with them when I come out from picking the berries.. they are very small about 3-5 mm in length and black This is the first year I have seen them. Calgary, AB. Canada

 

Number 7379.    This is a lace bug, Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Tingidae; these insects usually are found on the underside of leaves where they feed on sap. I have seen no reports of them causing serious damage to Saskatoon bushes; you might try washing them off with a strong stream of water from a garden hose.

Carpenter ants in old railroad ties

Previous owner of home has railroad ties as flowerbed retaining wall that are up against the North and south sides the house. The ties are full of carpenter ants and I’d like to get rid of them and the flower beds. Can I move them with active nests or will it cause them to scatter and create more nests, potentially in my house.
Thanks! Neebing

Even the most careful removal of the old railroad ties is likely to result in the displacement/dispersal of some of the ants. I suggest that you read the section on carpenter ant control found on our web pages – see https://tinyurl.com/2p96f8f7 (Carpentar Ant Identification & Control)

Larder beetle

7378.      Found on a carpet hiding under a rug. Should I throw the rug away? Cap-Chat, Quenec. Canada

 

Number 7378.    This is a larder beetle. Dermestes lardarius (Coleoptera: Dermestidae). You should check all food storage areas for signs of infestation by their larvae; they should pose no threat to your carpet. See Larder beetle detailed information & control recommendation .

Stink bug

7377.      Found this under my covers when I woke up. Been having skin bumps and dry skin peeling around knuckles for the last one two weeks. Coquitlam, BC. Canada

 

Number 7377.    This is a stink bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Pentatomidae. Strictly an accidental intruder that would not be responsible for any of your symptoms. See Stink bug detailed information

Ailanthus webworm moth

7376.      I found it inside, never seen a bug like that. Mississauga, Ontario. Canada

 

Number 7376.      This looks like an ailanthus webworm moth, Atteva aurea (Lepidoptera: Attevidae). See Ailanthus webworm moth detailed information .

Deer fly

7375.      Brantford, Ontario. Canada

 

Number 7375.      This is a deer fly (Diptera: Tabanidae) in the genus Chrysops. It looks a lot like Chrysops vittatus – see Deer Fly Detailed Information; but I cannot be absolutely certain as several other species can have similar markings. Female deer flies are obligate blood feeders on mammals, including humans. Their ‘bite’ (more of a stab or slice) can be quite painful.

Nymph of a true bug

7374.      Tons of these on our shaded south facing balcony. Removed the potted plants and it helped reduce the numbers but there are still lots around. Not sure what kind of beetle? Vancouver, British Columbia. Canada

 

Number 7374.      This is a nymph of a true bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera); it looks like that of an elm seed bug (Arocatus melanocephalus), an introduced European species that has become quite a nuisance pest in areas of western North America. See Elm Seed Bug Control Suggestions .

Carpet beetle

7373.      What is this? Cincinnati, Ohio. United States

 

Number 7373.     This appears to be a carpet beetle (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) in the genus Anthrenus (varied carpet beetle and allies). See Carpet Beetle Detailed Information .

Robber fly

7372.      Sacre-Coeur, Sacre-Coeur Quebec. Canada

 

Number 7372.      This is a robber fly (Diptera: Asilidae). These are ambush predators on other small arthropods, mainly other insects. See Robber fly Detailed Information .

Bark louse

7371.      Tons of these little guys on the balcony above mine at my apartment building. It is a wooden balcony. They seem to leave a fine sand like debris that falls down onto my balcony. They don’t appear to be IN the wood but there are 100s of them on the surface. Any idea what they are and how I can get rid of them? (Or how my land lord can get rid of them) Halifax, Nova Scotia. Canada

 

Number 7371.      This is a bark louse (order Psocodea); these are completely harmless, feeding primarily on mould, pollen, fragments of dead insects, algae, and lichens. There is no need for control, but if their presence is objectionable, simply wash them away with a stream of water. See Bark louse life cycle .

Ants

7370.      Hello, we found these timing up side of a wooden pool shed. We are unsure of what they are or how to treat them. Hope you can assist us with this. Thank you. Toronto, Ontario. Canada

 

Number 7370.       These are ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). The larger one with wings likely is a female reproductive (queen); the others are workers (sterile females). They are not carpenter ants and pose no danger to the shed structure; they likely are just on the lookout for food source. See Ants Information .

Caterpillar of a swallowtail butterfly

7369.      These were found on my orchard. Can you say what type of pest are these? Orange Walk Town Belize.

 

Number 7369.      This is a caterpillar of a swallowtail butterfly (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae); possibly a giant swallowtail, Papilio rumiko – see Caterpillar of a swallowtail butterfly image .

Darkling beetle

7368.      Woke up around 9AM to go to washroom & noticed this bug on its back on the floor. I took it outside & put it on my balcony to take this picture. I suppose it didn’t like the heat though because it then stopped moving after that. I tried looking it up, but im now expert. Looked like a couple options to me, thats why I posted here. Because I haven’t seen this before this year. Thanks in advance. Edmonton, Alberta. Canada

 

Number 7368.      This is a darkling beetle (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae); it looks like Tenebrio molitor, their larvae are known as yellow mealworms. They sometimes will be found in granaries or food storage areas where they feed on mouldy grain and the like. See Darkling beetle detailed information .

Assassin bug

7367.     Bloomfield, ON. Canada

 

Number 7367.      This appears to be 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’- see Assassin Bug Detailed Information 

Nymph of a cockroach

7366.    Hi, if you could please identity this bug I would really appreciate it! It was found on the wall near the stove. Thank you! Guelph, Ontario. Canada

 

Number 7366.      This is a nymph of a cockroach, possibly a German cockroach, Blattella germanica (Blattodea: Ectobiidae);  a peridomestic species difficult to bring under complete control. See cockroach control recommendations 

Carpet beetle

7365.      Gatineau, Quebec. Canada

 

Number 7365.      This has the appearance of a carpet beetle (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) in the tribe Attagenini, the group that includes the black carpet beetle an allies. You should check all dry stored food products as well as any woolen/silk/leather fabrics/clothing items in storage for signs of damage. See Carpet Beetle Control Recommendations 

White-spotted sawyer beetle

7364.        Winnipeg, MB. Canada

 

Number 7364.        This is a white-spotted sawyer beetle, Monochamus scutellatus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). They attack primarily dead or dying trees; see White-spotted sawyer beetle detailed information 

Weevil

7363.        Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac, QC. Canada

 

Number 7363.      It’s a weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in the subfamily Cryptorhynchinae; it looks like Cryptorhynchus lapathi, known as the poplar-and-willow borer. They and their larvae feed on willow, poplar, alder, and birch. See Weevils detailed information 

Scarab beetle

7362.        Found this guy, dead on the floor in the closet where we store the cat food. He is almost 1.5cm long. Reddish-Brown in colour. I’ve never seen him before and cannot identify him with what I’ve searched online. New Westminster, British Columbia. Canada

 

Number 7362.      This is a scarab beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae); it appears to be one of the so-called May beetles/June bugs in the genus Phyllophaga. They are foliage feeders, but seldom do serious damage, but the larvae of some species (‘white grubs’) can be destructive pests of lawns/turf, feeding on the roots of grasses. See Scarab beetle detailed information 

Aphid

7361.       What is this bug. Lethridge, Alberta. Canada

 

Number 7361.     It’s an aphid (Hemiptera/Sternorrhyncha: Aphididae); likely a giant conifer aphid in the genus Cinara – see Aphid example & Aphid Detailed Information

Dragnet

If dragnet pesticide was applied to vegetables, how long do u need to wait before vegetables can be eaten. Brampton

The active ingredient in Dragnet, Permethrin, breaks down very rapidly outdoors when exposed to full sunlight. Under those conditions, produce should be safe to consume a day or two after application.

Powderpost beetles

I have had my house sprayed twice for powder post beetles and months have passed without seen any activity and just today I’ve noticed a couple of Powder hills what can I used to further treat since they don’t seem to be going away? Hamilton. ON

In many instance, retreatments are necessary for control of powderpost beetles, as standard surface applications of pesticides will kill only emerging adults rather than larvae since the insecticide will penetrate only slightly into the wood. In cases of very extensive infestations, particularly in hard-reach areas, fumigation may be required.