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See also:  Spider categorized species photos
More spider photo identifications
pest-id-photos page 1
 pest-id-photos page 2
pest-id-photos page 3

 ( Out of focus, poorly lit and subjects too small to identify will not be published.)
Spider photos:  Only very high quality unusual spider photos will be published

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Orb weaving spider

7071.        I live in kelowna BC. This thing was super huge. The body w/o legs was about the size of a quarter at least. When I squished it with a broom handle, it popped like a massive pimple. What the heck is it? West Kelowna, BC. Canada

Number 7071. This is a harmless orb weaving spider (family Araneidae) in the genus Araneus, Click here for an example. If you see another, please let it live, they are volunteer pest controllers.

Giant ichneumon wasp

7070.          Wondering what this Insect is, I thought it was an immature dragonfly, there are about 50 on this dying tree. Are they harmful? Do I just leave them alone? Turkey Point, Ontario. Canada

Number 7070. This is a giant ichneumon wasp, Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae, in the genus Megarhyssa; likely M. macrurus. It is a female in the act of boring through the tree wood in order to lay her egg in the tunnel of her prey, the larva of a wood wasp in the family Siricidae. They are harmless to humans as well as to the tree. Click here for details on their life history.

Maggot of a muscoid fly

7069.           August 23, about 1/2 inch in size. Found about 20 of these on our floor in the house this morning wondering if they are maggots or something else. Started searching for where they would be coming from and cannot find anything anywhere in the house Pulled fridge and stove out moved furniture around but cannot find any source to where they would be coming from, I am stumped. Renfrew, Ontario Canada

Number 7069. This is a maggot of a muscoid fly, so there must be a food source somewhere in the vicinity. When these maggots complete their growth, they crawl away from their food source in search of a safe, dry place to undergo pupation.

Mature larva/prepupa of a rodent bot fly

7068.         Found this in our crawlspace. What is it? Oro-Medonte, ON. Canada

Number 7068. This is a mature larva/prepupa of a rodent bot fly (Diptera: Oestridae; subfamily Cuterebrinae) Click here for details on their life history.

Predaceous diving beetle

7067.        This big guy I found on my driveway. About an inch to an inch and a half long. Tried to find some photos online but no luck. Bay Tree, Alberta. Canada

Number 7067. This is a predaceous diving beetle (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae). They and their larvae (“water tigers”) are general predators on other small aquatic life forms. They also are very strong fliers, and may be found quite some distance from any water source.

Pigeon tremex

7066.         Found in our yard on August 19th. Regina, Saskatchewan. Canada

Number 7066. This is a pigeon tremex, Tremex columba (Hymenoptera: Siricidae). They lack a stinger (what looks like one actually is their ovipositor); Click here for more detailed information.

Earwig

7065.        What is this? I found one on my kitchen counter last week and another just crawled on me in the living room. Please help. Ont, Toronto. Canada

Number 7065. This is an earwig (order Dermaptera). These basically are harmless nuisance pests; most species either are scavengers or predators on small soft-bodied insects, but some occasionally can cause damage to very tender vegetation. Click here for more detailed information.

Nymph of an assassin bug

7064.         Hello! I found this bug on a bedroom wall by the window, in a rural part of northern Nova Scotia. We had spent the day at Waterside Beach, and it’s possible this came from the beach home with us — though the house is also in a rural setting surrounded by fields and some trees. I’ve been told it’s possibly an assassin bug, maybe a kissing bug, and it could be a western conifer seed bug. I have children staying here and my main concern is safety. Many thanks in advance! Scotsburn, NS. Canada

Number 7064. This may 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’- Click here for more detailed information.

Nymph of a hairy chinch bug

7063.        These insects have infested our house, especially around windows area. We went on vacation the last week of July and when got back we noticed some in our house and have not been able contain. Quispamsis, NB. Canada

Number 7063. This looks like a nymph of a hairy chinch bug, Blissus leucopterus hirtus (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Blissidae), a lawn/turf pest – Click here for details including control recommendations.

Nymph of a hairy chinch bug

7062.         They come out by the hundreds, only on hot sunny days, along the foundation and my deck. Glen Haven, Halifax. Canada

Number 7062. This looks like a nymph of a hairy chinch bug, Blissus leucopterus hirtus (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Blissidae), a lawn/turf pest – Click here for details including control recommendations.

Hooded grasshopper

7061.        Want to know how is it different from grasshopper. What is the special thing near the neck part. Odisha, Dhenkanal. India

Number 7061. This is a so-called ‘hooded grasshopper’ (Orthoptera: Acrididae; Teratodes sp.). They get that name from the shape of their pronotum, which is expanded into a high crest – Click here

Chicken mites

What is the most effective and still available product for killing mites in chickens in northwestern Alberta? Diatamaceous earth is not very effective. Wembley

Chicken mites: Control of mites on chickens is problematic to say the least, as there does not appear to be any treatment available that is approved for use in Canada. There are some ‘off label’ possibilities that might be considered; Click here for a detailed discussion.

Bed bugs

Can be bugs travel from one apartment to another via baseboards, electrical outlets, etc? Any info you can provide will be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Ottawa

Bed bugs: “Once bed bugs are introduced, they can crawl from room to room, or floor to floor via cracks and openings in walls, floors and ceilings.” Click here for details.

Elm seed bugs

We have elm seed bugs and I was wondering if there is something that would attract them when they are in the house? Something sweet? We have been spraying home defence around windows and doors but still find a few that are alive. Medicine Hat

Elm seed bugs: I am not aware of anything in a house that would be an attractant to elm seed bug. Simply vacuuming up any that get indoors should suffice; Click here for details.

Cockroaches

I bought A box of food into my house today then all of a suffdn my cupboard was full of cockroaches what do I do. London

Cockroaches: The box of food and the appearance of cockroaches could just be coincidental. That aside, control recommendations will depend on the species involved. Click here for details.

Squeaking sound

I went down to my basement today, I was down there day before last, and I noticed a squeaking sound (almost like a bird chirping) the lights were on and I couldn’t see anything out of the ordinary. I went back down about an hour later turned the lights on again, same thing noticed nothing but the sound. I decided to check again a half hour later but leave the lights off and same sound and I just turned my tv off to go up to bed and now I can hear the sound from the top of the stairs. So what would squeak for hours on end? Edmonton

Squeaking sound: Unless you can pinpoint the source, it likely will remain a mystery. Crickets excepted, the only home-infesting insects capable of making a sound audible to humans that I know of are the larvae of old house borers – Click here for details.

Spinosad in Canada

Hello, I would like to know if using elector psp is approved in Canada (spinosad). Amos

Spinosad in Canada: The last I saw, spinosad still was undergoing review in Canada. According the site Click here , a decision was due last January, but I have seen nothing confirming that.

Bed bugs

I was bitten a couple of weeks ago and I have been spraying Ortho Bug be gone and vacuuming daily. I have also purchased a new mattress and box spring which I have kept the plastic on. I have been wiping the baseboards daily as well. I wash the bedding daily. The pest control inspector came in and looked at the baseboards behind my bed which I told him I had cleaned and he checked my headboard which has also been cleaned. That’s all he checked in my bedroom. He than checked the other bedroom my sister occupies doing the same thing. He informed me that there was no sign of bed bugs and had never been any. My question is could I have washed the evidence away. The bedding wasn’t even checked? Sudbury

Bed bugs: Based on your narrative, it would be extremely unlikely for you to have a bed bug infestation; there are many other possible causes for your bite symptoms, Click here for some possibilities.

Powder post beetles

How do I get rid of Powderpost beetles? Sherbrooke, NS

Powder post beetles: Small/limited infestations sometimes can be resolved simply by removing and destroying the infested wood. More extensive infestations may require the services of a professional. Click Here and Click here for details.

Wasp Infestation

For the past two summers, we have noticed wasps going in and out of small holes in the mortar between the bricks at the front of our house. Last year, we sprayed several wasp control products into the holes. This past winter, we tried blocking the entry point with steel wool but this week, we have noticed wasps again going into the mortar in different spots. We want to get rid of them. Will the nest die off if we block entry and exit points with steel wool now or will that cause them to come through an interior wall? Is it a good idea to get pest control in to spray into the tiny holes or will they die off naturally over the winter.? Any advice is appreciated. Milton

Wasp Infestation: I would really like to see images of these wasps before going into any detail. The only situation I would find worrisome would be if they were yellow jackets, as then there would be the possibility of them gaining entry to voids behind the brick facing and constructing a large nest there. In the meantime, you could use a hand-held dust applicator to squirt an insecticide into the holes, Click Here for some examples.

Pesticide Importation

Hello, I’m trying to locate an definitive statement of what rodenticides and in what quantity I’m permitted to purchase in the USA and carry into Canada across the border. The products are commonly available at hardware stores such as Home Depot or online from Amazon.com. Most of the products that are available at hardware stores in Canada or Amazon.ca are useless. I would be purchasing the products from Amazon.com and having them delivered to a PO box in Blaine, WA. If you can help me with this, I would appreciate it. Thank you. Best regards, Daryl Morse. Coquitlam, BC

Pesticide Importation: You may be out of luck here –

a. Residents of Canada may purchase and import, from the United States and only for their own use, products registered with a NAFTA label. You may transport the product on your own, work together with a group of growers with a designated driver, or hire a customs broker or carrier – Click here

b. All pesticides imported into Canada must meet Canadian standards, i.e., be registered or scheduled under the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA), and bear the Canadian label – Click here

c. Starting April 18, 2018, you can no longer bring unregistered pesticides into Canada if they are not equivalent to those already registered in Canada for personal use in or around your home (i.e., Domestic Class products) – Click here . An equivalent pesticide is one that has the same active ingredient in the same concentration.

d. In addition, you will no longer be allowed to purchase unregistered pesticides online and have them shipped to Canada. The purchaser of the product must bring it into Canada in person – Click here

Nymph of a hairy chinch bug

7060.          These insects have infested our house, especially around windows area. We went on vacation the last week of July and when got back we noticed some in our house and have not been able contain. Quispamsis, NB. Canada

Number 7060. This appears to be a nymph of a hairy chinch bug, Blissus leucopterus hirtus (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Blissidae), a lawn/turf pest – Click here for details including control recommendations.

Nymph of a hairy chinch bug

7059.           They come out by the hundreds, only on hot sunny days, along the foundation and my deck. Glen Haven, Halifax. Canada

Number 7059. This looks like a nymph of a hairy chinch bug, Blissus leucopterus hirtus (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Blissidae), a lawn/turf pest – Click here for details including control recommendations.

Hooded grasshopper

7058.         Want to know how is it different from grasshopper. What is the special thing near the neck part. Odisha, Dhenkanal. India

Number 7058. This is a so-called ‘hooded grasshopper’ (Orthoptera: Acrididae; Teratodes sp.). They get that name from the shape of their pronotum, which is expanded into a high crest – Click here

Mouse entry

Hello!! I’m curious, we had a dead mouse in our laundry sink in the basement. I have never seen mouse droppings in our house other than behind the stove when we first moved in, 2 years ago, which has not made a re-appearance. I always keep an eye out for droppings since I am totally petrified of mice. We purchased a UV light to check for urine, and did not see any. Mind you, this was a 7$ UV flash light from home depot. Probably not the best, but still nothing. Our laundry sink drains into our sum-pump with the drain about half a foot from the ground or where the top of the water sits. maybe a little less. we have a basement window above the laundry sink and to the side which is basically completely sealed. I say basically, because it’s an old window and it wouldn’t surprise me if there was a tiny crack hardly visible. We keep a fitted piece of wood over the window well. any idea how this mouse came in? i’m assuming it was a baby since it was TINY. any suggestions or anything else i could look for? thank you. Brantford.

Mouse entry: Mice can get in through cracks as little as ¼” (about 5 mm). Also, do you have any cats? We live in the country, and occasionally, one our cats will bring a ‘present’ into the house.

Leaf cutter bee infestation

I have leaf cutter bees that nested in the styrofoam around my house. We covered up the nests and built a deck but the bees are persistent and want back in their nests. I was wondering what I can do to get rid of them so they start making nests in my new deck! Bracken.

Leaf cutter bee infestation: Leaf cutter bees are not known to cause serious damage to sound wood; if ready-made cavities are not available, they prefer to make tunnels in soft materials such as the pith of plant stems or rotten, punky wood. And in your case, Styrofoam. Styrofoam blocks sometimes are used in making commercial nests for leaf-cutter bees. Just be certain that it is indeed leaf-cutter and not carpenter bees that you have. If at all uncertain, submit photographs for identification. I have seen formulations containing bifenthrin (a synthetic pyrethroid) recommended as a repellent for leaf-cutting bees, but bifenthrin currently is not registered in Canada.

Robber fly

7057.        Alabama, United States

Number 7057. This is a robber fly (Diptera: Asilidae); Click here for an example. These are ambush predators on other small arthropods, mainly other insects..

Nymph of a masked hunter

7056.         I found this guy walking slowly on the wall at night. Haven’t seen anything like this. From what I can gather online, it resembles a bit like a masked hunter. I’m wondering if his mottled appearance is due to cat litter. The picture is magnified as the bug is trapped under a shotglass and I zoomed in 4x with my phone. His real size is around nearly a cm I found him August 15th, 2020. Cheers. Toronto, Ontario. Canada

Number 7056. This is indeed is a nymph of a masked hunter (Reduvius personatus; Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Reduviidae), a cosmopolitan species often found indoors and reputed to have a very painful ‘bite’- Click here for more detailed information.

Yellow bear caterpillar

7055.         We have never seen this caterpillar around before and I have a garden so I’m outside all summer, weather permitting. It was first discovered on a sunny warm day on August 6th, 2020. I first saw one on my ornamental fig tree. I didn’t want to kill it so I put it in the grass. I saw what seemed to be a bigger one on the 9th in the vegetable garden near my finished cauliflower plants. I have no idea where it went from there. I showed the picture to my local nursery and they didn’t know what it was. I don’t want to hurt it but I also don’t want predators in my gardens. Surrey, BC. Canada

Number 7055. This appears to be a yellow bear caterpillar (Spilosoma virginica; Lepidoptera: Erebidae). This species is highly variable in appearance; Click here for some images.

Yellow bear caterpillar

7054.         Rusty coloured caterpillar. Have also found more yellower ones with small patches of the rusty colour. This is a first with eggs. Ottawa, Ontario. Canada

Number 7054. This looks like a yellow bear caterpillar (Spilosoma virginica; Lepidoptera: Erebidae); the adult is known as the virgin tiger moth. The white objects are not eggs, but the cocoons of a parasitic wasp in the family Braconidae. When the larvae have finished feeding on the innards of the caterpillar, they chew through the caterpillar’s skin, spin a cocoon and undergo pupation.

Scuttle fly

7053.         These keep crawling out from behind the overhead fan above my stove. At first I thought they were flies but then I realized it doesn’t look to have wings. Then I thought it might be a roach but it doesn’t seem to have antenna. It’s summer time and very hot in the apartment. It kind of looks like a scuttle fly but why doesn’t it have wings? Thanks for your help! Vancouver, BC. Canadaa

Number 7053. This does look like a scuttle fly (Diptera Phoridae); Click here for an image. In addition to some species having wings so transparent as to be nearly invisible, some other phorids are completely wingless.

Broad-nosed/short-snouted weevil

7052.         Found inside our home during the spring summer months have never noticed them before until this year thanks for your assistance. Kamloops, British Columbia. Canada

Number 7052. 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. Click here for an image

Nymph of a bed bug

7051.         Enid, OK. United States

Number 7051. This appears to be a nymph of a bed bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Cimicidae). Click here for a very detailed fact sheet that includes some control recommendations.

Nymph of a stink bug

7050.          Found indoors on belt from closet. Body is approx 6mm long and 5mm wide (not including antennae). Aug 2020. Calgary, AB. Canada

Number 7050. This is a nymph of a stink bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), but I cannot provide a specific identification. It may be a predatory species. Click here for an image & Click here for more information.

Scarab beetle

7049.        Landed on my boyfriend’s back while he was watering the plants on our balcony. He came inside and I saw it. North York, ON. Canada

Number 7049. This is a scarab beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). From the appearance of its flattened elytra, it may be in the genus Osmoderma. Those are not pests; their larvae live in decomposing punky wood. Click here for more detailed information.

Elm seed bug

7048.        Finding these all over our house and seem to be living in our front door frame. They are quite small but large in number! Any idea what these are and how to get rid of them? Kelowna, BC. Canada

Number 7048. This is an elm seed bug, Arocatus melanocephalus (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Lygaeidae), an introduced species that has become a nuisance pest in many areas. Click here for more detailed information.

Long-horned wood-boring beetle

7047.         It was about 2-3 inches long. Kamloops, British Columbia. Canada

Number 7047. This is a long-horned wood-boring beetle (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in the subfamily Prioninae; possibly Prionus californicus, one of the largest beetles in Canada. Commonly known as the California root borer, its larvae can cause serious damage to tree and vine roots. Click here for more detailed information.

Larva of a larder beetle

7046.       Found in bathroom twice one July and one in August. Leduc, Alberta. Canada

Number 7046. This is a larva of a larder beetle, Dermestes lardarius (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) or a close relative. Click here for some control recommendations.

Nymph of an assassin bug

7045.      I found this little guy while dusting. Thought it was lint until I saw it moving. I have no idea what it is, pure white. Smiths Falls, ON. Canada

Number 7045. 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’- Click here for more detailed information.

Hairy chinch bug

7044.        Hello, I have noticed my backyard infested with tiny black bugs, I can see them on grass, walls, patio furniture etc. Can you please let me know what is this and if any product to treat them. Milton, Ontario. Canada.

 

Number 7044. This appears to be a hairy chinch bug, Blissus leucopterus hirtus (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Blissidae), a lawn/turf pest – Click here for details including control recommendations.

Stilt-legged fly

7043.        I have found these recently in my kitchen. We have a new exotic plant but other than that we cannot figure out where they are coming from. Killed 6 yesterday and usually see one or two per day for the last week to 10 days.
Thank you. St. Albert, AB. Canada

Number 7043. This appears to be a stilt-legged fly Diptera: Micropezidae); possibly Taeniaptera trivittata. These are harmless scavengers; Click here for more detailed information.

Flat-backed millipede

7042.        This crawler is skinny and about an inch long, and comes out in late July. They are near the pool and in the basement for about a month then disappear. Thanks for any light you can shed. Fenwick, Ontario. Canada

Number 7042. This is a flat-backed millipede, possibly a garden millipede, Oxidus gracilis (Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae). These primarily are scavengers on decomposing organic matter, but may become nuisance pests when they occur in large numbers. Click here for more detailed information..

Caddisfly

7041.         Have been chasing these around for days. Cannot figure out where they are coming from and how to get rid of them. Thought they came from outside, but the house has been mosquito net proofed for days now. Raid Home did not really help. Montreal, Quebec. Canada

Number 7041. You must live near a body of water (stream/pond/lake) as this appears to be a caddisfly (order Trichoptera) that has lost most of its wing scales – Click here for an example of an intact specimen. Their larvae are aquatic, and most species construct tubular cases that they live in. These are completely harmless, and will do no damage.

Predaceous diving beetle

7040.        Found at night, inside my house, in the bathroom. August 2020. 23 degrees Celsius outside. Oshawa, Ontario. Canada

Number 7040. This is a predaceous diving beetle (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae). They and their larvae (“water tigers”) are general predators on other small aquatic life forms. They also are very strong fliers, and may be found quite some distance from any water source.

Nymph of a hairy chinch bug

7039.         There are hundreds of these small bug crawling all over the back of my house. Some have the white stripe some do not. I have no idea how to get rid of them or where they are coming from. Elmira, Ontario. Canada

Number 7039. This looks like a nymph of a hairy chinch bug, Blissus leucopterus hirtus (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Blissidae), a lawn/turf pest – Click here for details including control recommendations.

Larva of a larder beetle

7038.       Been finding these on top of my dryer periodically. July, August. Usually 3 or 4 at a time. Will curl like a crescent moon if touched. About 1/4” in length. Didn’t realize they had furry multiple legs until I macro zoomed the photo. Ardmore, AB. Canada

Number 7038. This is a larva of a larder beetle, Dermestes lardarius (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) or a close relative. They only have six small legs near the head end (left, in your image); the ‘furry’ legs are just long setae (body hairs).  Click here for some control recommendations.

Bristletail

7037.      I found it dead in my house, I am wondering what it is? Montréal, QC. Canada

Number 7037. This is a bristletail (order Zygentoma) in the family Lepismatidae that has lost its scales and some of its appendages. It might be either a firebrat (Thermobia domestica) or a silverfish (Lepisma saccharinum); both are cosmopolitan nuisance pests – Click here for more detailed information.

Broad-nosed/short-snouted weevil

7036.        We find them outside and inside. We live in Newmarket, Ont. Canada

Number 7036. This is a broad-nosed/short-snouted weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae; subfamily Entiminae). It might be a black vine weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus; Click here for an image.

Nymph of a hairy chinch bug

7035.      Just out of the blue we found thousands of these bugs all over or front walkway, porch, planting areas and around the perimeter of our property. It’s been very hot with little rain until recently. I killed them the first time with a bug killer but found them again in full force tonight. I killed them with water and dish soap this time but I’m sure they’ll be back. Thanks so much for your help. Bolton, ON. Canada

Number 7035. This looks like a nymph of a hairy chinch bug, Blissus leucopterus hirtus (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Blissidae), a lawn/turf pest – Click here for details.

Cicada

7034.        Found this thing in my kitchen. Very frightening. Kitchener, Ontario. Canada

Number 7034. This is nothing to worry about; it is the empty ‘shell’ (exoskeleton) of a cicada (Hemiptera/Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadidae), likely in the genus Neotibicen (annual/dog-day cicadas). Click here for a video of the molting process.

Other photo id pages. (click number above)