Pest Identification Photos

6122  Good day,Today when I arrived at my home this very distinguished bug was on my steps. I am curious to know what type of bug it is. I’ve never seen this one before!!  Claudette Pine Falls, MB.

This is an American carrion beetle, Necrophila americana (Coleoptera: Silphidae); see https://tinyurl.com/y9fseycx for an image and more detailed information. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6120   Hello,  This was discovered on the hood of a car downtown Ottawa mid-August 2017.  All that I can gather from Web research is that it may belong to a wood boring insect, but nothing is matching any descriptions for Ontario.  It is close to an inch long. I’d appreciate any extra information if you may have it. Thanks,  Christa

This is not a wood-boring insect of any kind, it is a rove beetle (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), which are general predators on other small arthropods. Your specimen has its flight wings exposed; these usually are tightly folded under short wing covers (elytra) – see https://tinyurl.com/y7rudl85 for a more typical image. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6118   Hello! I found this guy outside of Pilot Butte, Saskatchewan in the middle of August on a cool cloudy day around 10AM. It was about 1-1/4″ long from the end of the stinger to it’s head. Would love to know what it is!! Thanks!

This appears to be a female Mormon cricket, Anabrus simplex (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) – see https://tinyurl.com/ydh24fee for an image. The ‘stinger’ is its ovipositor, used to insert its eggs into soil. Although called a cricket, this insect actually belongs to a group known as shield-backed katydids; see https://tinyurl.com/ycwdxf8v for more detailed information. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6116    My name is Sonja and this little guy was on my lawn furniture this morning. Never seen anything like it before. Location is  Simcoe County Ontario. It is Aug. 2017, cool out 13°C, rained last night, we live in a maple bush.  Thanks.

This is a nymph of a stink bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Pentatomidae); it appears to be a green stink bug, Chinavia hilaris – see https://tinyurl.com/yb6ptpsj for an image. This species can be a garden/orchard pest; see https://tinyurl.com/yaks7dbm for more information. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6114  Hi. I’m in Saint John, New Brunswick.  The photo was taken on Aug 20th 2017 in the Red Head area of Saint John.  I searched on line but could not find a beetle exactly like it.  However, it does seem to fit in with soldier beetle category.  Might that be correct?    Thank you. Betty 

This appears to be a red-shouldered pine borer, Stictoleptura canadensis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae); see https://tinyurl.com/ya9gqtot for an image. It does not appear to be a serious pest.   Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6112    Hi my name is Catherine and I live in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. I was sitting on my bed reading  and all of a sudden my foot began to feel like a bug was crawling on me. So I scratched my foot, then I see this BUG crawling next to my foot. Can u PLEASE tell me what it is, where it might have come from, and if I need to be concerned about there being more of them in my home?? One thing that might help is that we have 2 dogs, they are both indoor dogs. However they do have to go outside for their bathroom breaks, and unfortunately my husband lets then BOTH SLEEP INSIDE our BED. That being said Im extremely concerned about this BUG being a serious problem within my home. A DESPERATE, SCARED, and Grateful for ANY & ALL Advice n help you can Offer my family.

This is a bed bug, Cimex lectularius (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Cimicidae). See https://tinyurl.com/hwz5tea elsewhere on this site for detailed information including control recommendations.  Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6110    Good evening.  We are trying to identify the insects in the attached pictures. These were recently found in caragana trees, as well as lilac flowers gone to seed. We also found a few in green ash trees which are situated close to the lilacs. Could you assist us in the identification of these insects and offer suggestions as to how to rid us of the insects? Any additional information about them would also be appreciated. We are located in rural Manitoba (Cooks Creek). Graham

Most ladybugs are beneficial and good for the environment, but the Asian Lady Beetle can be a bad bug for certain plants and in the home. More information:  https://www.thespruce.com/good-and-bad-ladybugs-2656236

6108  My name is Lorie Hayter from Lower Sackville NS. These flying, bitting bugs have been on my black locust tree for the past 2 summers. Not sure what they are or how to get rid of them.

This is a plant bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Miridae) in the genus Lopidea, possibly Lopidea media; see https://tinyurl.com/y7c5986w for an image. They likely will not cause serious harm to the trees.  Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6106  Hi there the picture I have attached I found in the basement of my parents house in Canada, I live in Edmonton Alberta. I was wondering if these are Mahogany also known as paper wasps and if so how to go about finding the best and how to kill it.  A picture is attached. Thanks.  Jaimie 

The three larger insects are wood wasps (Hymenoptera: Siricidae), likely in the genus Sirex; see https://tinyurl.com/y8rortn5 for some images. Commonly known as horntails, their larvae tunnel in the wood of dead or dying trees.  Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6104   Attached are the following 2 photos of a bug mostly in the basement and they now are appear to be moving up to the main and second floors of our house. We live in Calgary.  What kind of big is this and how do we get rid of it?  Thanks JT.

This is a short-snouted/broad-nosed weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae; subfamily Entiminae), but I am uncertain as to its specific identification. The adult weevils often enter buildings where they basically are nuisance pests that cause no serious harm, but their larvae can be serious pests – see http://tinyurl.com/monvaej for detailed information. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6102   Hi,   Attached is a photo of a beetle we found by an outside doorway of our home. We live in Lake Country, BC Canada where it is summer and has been very hot and dry. It is 2 inches long.  It does have a bit of white dust or something on its body, antennae and legs.  Thanks!

This appears to be a tile-horned prionus, Prionus imbricornis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae); see https://tinyurl.com/y7t26gw3 for an image and more detailed information. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6100  Aldershot area which is on the border between Hamilton and Burlington, Ontario. I searched through the spiders on your website but couldn’t find this one.   Found this spider today in an empty plant container. Took its pic and let it go. It’s body was about 1/2″ long. What’s curious is the three red orbs that seem to be attached to its body.  Maybe the red orbs are eggs? And it seems to be missing a leg.

This is a female wolf spider (family Lycosidae) with her egg sac; the red objects are mites. Many mites seen in such situations are phoretic (essentially hitchhikers getting a free ride), but some, such as those in the genus Leptus, are ectoparasitic, feeding on the spider’s fluids. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6098  Hello.   I have had the attached bugs for approximately 4-5 months (spring until end of summer).  They are approximately an inch (adult) and are mostly in the kitchen. They come out at night. They are indoors.   I am in Ottawa Ontario. Joanne, Thank you. 

Like No. 6097, these also are German cockroaches, an adult and two young nymphs. See https://tinyurl.com/h3nd9z8 elsewhere on this site for some control recommendations. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6096    Could you identify this for me please?  Found it while emptying my dehumidifier in the basement. About 1 inch in length.  Sarah M.   Toronto, Ontario.  July, 2017.  Thank you.

This is a pole borer, Neandra brunnea (Coleoptera: Ceranbycidae; subfamily Parandrinae). See https://tinyurl.com/y97oksfo for an image and more detailed information. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6094    Please tell me what this is.   I live in Quinte West, Ontario and this bug was on my screen door around dinner time. I live close to a creek and have many spruce and cedar trees around. The she’ll on its back almost looks prehistoric with spikes on it.  Hope to hear from you. Dana 

This is a nymph of a leaf-footed bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera; Coreidae); likely Acanthocephala terminalis – see https://tinyurl.com/yck2aytl for an image. This does not appear to be a serious pest species. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6092   Hello,  My name is Tammy. I am from Winnipeg, MB. We found this bug crawling along the wet sand on the eastern shore of Lake Winnipeg. Can you identify it?

This is a naiad (nymph) of a dragonfly that has completed its aquatic development and is seeking a safe place to undergo metamorphosis to the adult winged stage. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6090   I spotted this small bug while camping at Awenda Provincial Park in Ontario and thought at first it could be a tick, but then compared the picture to tick pictures online and it looks different. Could you please identify this bug for me? Thanks.  Angela

This is a nymph of a stink bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Pentatomidae. It appears to be one of the predatory species in either the genus Perillus or Podisus; I cannot tell for certain. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6088   Found this Beetle in Sherwood Park Alberta.  Mike C. 

This is a roundheaded poplar borer, Saperda calcarata (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), see https://tinyurl.com/3t6lf74 for an image and more detailed information.  Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6086   Hi, I’m Lorraine from North Vancouver BC. This flying bug showed up on the morning of July 21, and has been resting on an exterior brick wall all day long. I live in a forested area with many hemlock and cedar trees, as well as large maples. We also have some dead or decaying trees that woodpeckers peck away at in search of bugs. The weather today was cloudy and much cooler than usual for this time of year, with a bit of light rain. The only bugs that I see regularly are spiders, ants, including carpenter ants, hornets, wasps, leatherjackets, and mosquitoes. This bug is about 3 inches long. I have never seen a bug this large. It look like a boring insect, so I’m wondering if this bug is harmful to our beautiful trees. Hope not! Lorraine, North Vancouver, BC

This is a fishfly (Megaloptera: Corydalidae; subfamily Chauliodinae); it looks like Dysmicohermes disjunctus – see https://tinyurl.com/y7gjkpkk for an image. These insects are completely harmless.   Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6085   Please help me what is this. It was climbing up my coach after everyone came inside. It is summer at night time around 10 all the lights are on and they were never shut off we are remodelling our kitchen sink so there was a hole in our kitchen or maybe you could have come inside I’m not sure live in New Hampshire in a mobile home park

This appears to be a brown prionid, Orthosoma brunneum (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), see https://tinyurl.com/kbm3n7z for images and more information. These will not cause any damage to or in your home.  Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6083  Good morning, I found these insects on my Italian plum tree on Vancouver Island. They attach to leaves and fruit by punchers on they back end and cause damage. They are about 4-5mm in length. Any ideas?

These are a pupa and larva of a lady beetle (Coleoptera:, Coccinellidae); likely the Asian multi-colored lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis. These are not damaging your plants, but feed on aphids and other small, soft-bodied insects – see https://tinyurl.com/3cc75vc for more detailed information. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6080  Hello. My son Griff found this fuzzy winged critter outside our barn this morning right below a birds nest. It’s been a late summer here in Aldergrove, BC. The heat just recently arrived and its July 2017. I did a bit of looking and I’m guessing a scarub beetle of some sort perhaps?   Thanks! Shannon

This is one of the lined June beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in the genus Polyphylla, possibly the 10-lined June beetle, Polyphylla decemlineata. See https://tinyurl.com/y7cqxh3u for more detailed information.  Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6078   Is this some kind of clear wing Sphinx moth? It’s about 4cm long. I was mowing grass in Georgetown Ontario yesterday and this insect was very angry at my lawn mower. It kept attacking it for over 5 minutes then it came at me. I shut down the lawn mower and it left. When I started it up, it came back and when it pitched on the mower I swatted it. The green in the picture is grass blades I think. Steve.

This is a cicada (Hemiptera/Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadidae); likely one of the so-called ‘dog-day’ cicadas in the genus Neotibicen – see https://tinyurl.com/ybltmat5 for details. These insects are harmless; regardless as to how you interpreted its actions, I can assure you that it was not its intent to ‘attack’ anything.  Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6076  Good day! My name is Hassanal and I would like to ask for help in identifying this insect. We just transferred into a new apartment and this insect is everywhere. It doesn’t bite/sting (well, so far), doesn’t eat the remains of the food and it flies. Location: Gatineau, Quebec – We are living in the basement with large windows.  Size: Quarter of an inch.  Season: Summer.    Weather: Sunny + rainy.  Location: Indoor.  
Yours truly,  Hassanal

This is a wharf borer, Narcerdes melanura (Coleoptera: Oedemeridae). See https://tinyurl.com/obonjsx for an image and more detailed information.  Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.