Pest Identification Photos

6072  Hello,   My name is Rachel. My husband and I recently moved to Vernon, BC. It’s July and we have noticed an abundance of these bugs on the outside of our house (photo attached), crawling around the edges of our windows and around the porch overhang and wooden garage door. They do seem to smell bad when squished, but when researching stink bugs, they don’t seem to look like your “average” stink bug. They start to come into the house via the poorly installed screens for our windows, which we have to fix. They’re bodies are about 1cm and they have wings. They also seem to have sort of yellow and black striped sides. I hope that’s enough info to identify these bugs!

This is an elm seed bug, a recent  immigrant from Europe (Identified in US in 2012).  They have become well established in the northwest US states and have apparently now moved into Canada.  Elm seed bugs feed mostly on elm seeds, but can be found on other trees.  Luckily, the bugs are not a concern for the health trees, but they have become a nuisance pest, similar to boxelder bugs, by entering homes and buildings in the spring, late summer and fall.  Read more:  https://extension.usu.edu/news_sections/agriculture_and_natural_resources/elm-seed-bug

6070  Hi.  Ann in Winnipeg it’s July 11.2017.   Found these two guys in my yard?    What are they??

These are caterpillars of Abbott’s sphinx moth, Sphecodina abbottii (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae); see https://tinyurl.com/y9glgn73 for more detailed information. The one on the left had been parasitized by a wasp in the family Braconidae; after the wasp larvae finish growing, they chew through the caterpillar’s skin to spin their cocoons. Adult wasps eventually will emerge from these to seek out more caterpillars. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6068  Can someone please help me and tell me what these are, and if I have a big problem… I just moved into a new place in Calgary Alberta. My name’s Meagan. These bugs are dead, but maybe because I sprayed the WHOLE place with raid, including that spot the picture is at… They seem to be stuck in the glue? I’ve seen many of them.. and the centipede looking thing on the right hand side.. I’ve seen a couple of those alive around the house… No one has lived here in awhile I guess.. the guy said that the house is gonna get torn down if no one rents it… There’s many cracks everywhere.. I’ve used like 7 cans of raid (spider blaster and reg raid) in the last week I’ve been here.. the sightings of bugs have kinda stopped.. but once I opened up the side base boards and seen that (the picture above..) I couldn’t believe it. Is this bad? Please help.

These are sow bugs that probably died because they can only survive in a very damp environment. Spraying pesticides is not recommended to eliminate sow bugs.  Spraying 7 cans of raid is irresponsible and could cause health problems to the occupants in the home. You obviously did not follow the label directions and that is against the law.  Read our suggestions to control sow bugs.  

6066  Could you tell me what this is please. They are on the leaves and there are hundreds of them.  I live in Woodstock Ontario and this was taken this afternoon. Thanks. Linda

These are nymphs of a boxelder bug, likely eastern boxelder bugs, Boisea trivittata; (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Rhopalidae). These can be nuisance pests when they occur in large numbers, but they seldom cause any real damage. See https://tinyurl.com/nrlf5m for more detailed information. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6064    Hi , we keep finding these bugs in our cabin  we just renovated in the last 2 years and all our in side walls are pine boards , they seem to be in the bathroom mostly but have found them elsewhere in the cabin as I have sticky traps set out also . we are at Pigeon  Lake Alberta , Canada,  they have just shown up in the last 2 weeks  so not sure what they are , thanks Kevin   

This is a short-snouted/broad-nosed weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae; subfamily Entiminae), but the image is not clear enough for a more specific identification. The adults 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.

6062  Hello! We live in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. My wife recently woke up with about 12 bug bites, solid red, itchy splotches that are swollen. Bites appear in two groups of three on her right arm near the elbow and near the armpit. Single bites appear on the inner thigh, knee, and hip of her left leg. They are very itchy. (She reacts very strongly to bug bites, such as mosquitoes.) We immediately thought of bed bugs. However, when we stripped the sheets we found this creature crawling on the mattress. We would appreciate it if you could identify it and say if it might be responsible for the bites. We will continue our hunt for bed bugs in the mean time. Thanks!!

This is a Dermestid beetle larvae.  Dermestid larvae feed in dark, quiet areas on a number of stored food items as well as animal products (wool, silk, leather, fur, hairbrushes with natural bristles, and feathers) that are of value to people.  This was not the cause of your bites.   Your description of the bites sounds like you could have a bed bug problem.  You may be wise to have a professional do an inspection for bed bugs.  They can be difficult to find.
Directory of Canadian pest professionals:  http://pestcontrolcanada.com/directory-of-professionals .

6060    Hello,  This little guy was crawling across my bed sheet. He’s about as big as a flax seed, and is brown in colour. Looks like hard shell. He was moving pretty fast.   Late June, Alberta, indoors, house has 2 dogs and an indoor cat. 

Although I cannot place a specific name on this tiny beetle, it at least does not appear to be a pest species that you need worry about. As it is so small, you would need a very good camera in order to get an image sharp enough to show the characters used in identification. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6058   Found many in groups all over older house in Warman, SK

This is a larva of a beetle in the family Dermestidae (carpet/hide/skin/larder beetles, etc.), such as a larder beetle (Dermestes lardarius) – see https://tinyurl.com/y9xsabt8 for an image and https://tinyurl.com/j8ergvk for more detailed information. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6056   I live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. This photo was recently taken in June 2017 at our local community garden. We have never seen this insect in our garden before. It could be found resting on the leaves of potatoes as well as Shasta Daisies. It looks like a type of wasp, yet we would appreciate having it identified, and also if it is destructive or aggressive. It seemed to be passively resting both times we have seen it. Thank you. Linda

These are clear-winged moths (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae); many species are excellent wasp mimics. Their larvae all are borers in plant tissues, and some, like the peach tree borer, can be serious pests. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6054  My name is Barbara and I live outside of Maders Cove in Nova Scotia.   Four days ago (June 8th) I found this insect on the upholstered headboard of my bed. It has the ability to jump and is 5-6mm in length.  I saw an exact one a few days later in my clear tube bird feeder. After a very bad bite on my neck a week ago I am wondering if it could have come from this insect.  thank you for your work,  Barbara

This is a jumping spider (family Salticidae); it would be very unlikely for it to have bitten you. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6052  I don’t know if this is a pest or not but I didn’t want to kill it if it is! Found on raspberry bushes in Calgary, AB on June 20, 2017. Does not seem to be eating the raspberry leaves. May have fallen from nearby apple or spruce. This caterpillar is about 1.5cm long and maybe 3mm wide. It has a tuft on its rear end and the 4 white spots are actually tufts also. I have ruled out a white satin moth but have no idea what else it could be. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Melissa

This is a caterpillar of a tussock moth in the genus Orgyia – some of their body hairs reportedly can cause an irritating rash on tender skin.  Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6050  Toronto, our home backs onto the Rouge Park ravine. This little guy was on our sliding glass door. Bonnie

This is a stink bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Pentatomidae); it appears to be the species Banasa dimidiata  see https://tinyurl.com/ycgkje77 for an image and more detailed information. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6048    Beetle found on a hot day early June, Barrie, Ontario, very good flyer, shimmery copper belly.   Carolyn

This is a metallic wood-boring beetle (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), possibly in the genus Chalcophora; see https://tinyurl.com/ybeug8rl for an example. Larvae of these beetles are known as flat-headed wood borers, and make characteristic oval-shaped tunnels in wood. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.   Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6047   Found this today and people are freaking me out telling me it maybe venomous.   I just want to be sure it’s not.  Thank you!  Makakita.

This is Phidippus audax, a very common and widespread species of jumping spider (family Salticidae) known as the bold or daring jumper. Like the vast majority of spiders, it has venom glands and therefore can be considered venomous. However, these are not at all dangerous to humans. See https://tinyurl.com/yaxwjyp8 for images and much more detailed information. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6045    Hello, I am from Ottawa Ontario Canada and I have been finding these bugs in my back yard, they seem to be growing in numbers and I would like to know what they are called. I have never seen these bugs before and I would like to know more about them. Thank you.

This is a firefly (Coleoptera: Lampyridae); it looks like Lucidota atra, known as the black firefly. See https://tinyurl.com/y7j963c7 for an image and more information on fireflies in general. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6043  This bug flew in over our patio table while we were having a conversation. We live in the Phoenix Arizona area and have never seen an insect like this ever before. Do you have any idea what this is?  Thanks, Adam

This is a horsebean longhorn beetle, Trachyderes mandibularis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). See https://tinyurl.com/yc3petgs for images and more detailed information.  Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6040   I found this bug clinging to the patio screen door from the inside.    It has wings and when it was upside down it opened its wings to turn  itself around. It appears to have a clear scan like outer shell.   Please advise on what this is. Thank you.   Lisa,  Woodstock,Ontario 

This is a tortoise beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae; subfamily Cassidinae). It appears to be Plagiometriona clavata, known as the clavate tortoise beetle; see https://tinyurl.com/2emdkpo for an image. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6038     Hello, I am located in Scarbrough Ontario. This bug bit me in my bed . It stung so bad it felt like razor blades for about 5 min. After it bit me it flipped over and was stunned on its back . I don’t see it on any Canadian bug charts or your charts. Should I be concerned? Is it a kissing bug?   What should I do?

This is an assassin bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Reduviidae) known as the masked hunter (Reduvius personata). These are reported as having a very painful but not dangerous bite (they do not vector any human pathogens). See http://tinyurl.com/23g4bdy for more detailed information. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6036  Hey there, I am from the Cowichan Valley in BC and have just tonight found around 10 of these beetles in my house. They are black, not particularly shiny, quite rounded body with 3 defined segments. They’re all about an inch long or so.  I usually wouldn’t think much of seeing a bug or two get in, being raised around wildlife and forests and all that, but I thought seeing this volume of the exact same size and type of bug in one night might be cause for concern. We first saw in the bathroom, then bedroom and spare room when checking corners and around some laundry. We found a couple dead ones too which were likely stomped by accident. We are pretty clean folk and our place is newly renovated. We only just moved in about 2 months ago. My hope, based on other photos on this site, is that this is just happenstance and they came in as babies on the load of wood I brought in the other day and aren’t pests. I haven’t been able to see an exact match so I’m hoping for help here! I hate creepy crawlers and the fact we keep finding these is going to make it hard to sleep! Thanks! Jane

This is a darkling beetle (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), it resembles Eleodes pimelioides; see https://tinyurl.com/y7hwfl9q for an image. The larvae of these beetles are known as false wireworms, and feed on the roots of grasses. The adults are harmless nuisance pests.  Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6034   Hi. Could you help me identify this bug? I found it dead in my daughters room, at the same time we are trying to figure out what caused bites on her arm. Do you think it’s a bed bug?? It’s about 1-2 mm long. Thank you!  Jackie

This appears to be a plant bug in the family Miridae (see https://tinyurl.com/yc7txyxe for an example), and as such, extremely unlikely to be the source of any bites.  Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6032   Hi – we have a vacation home in Nova Scotia directly on the Bay of Fundy.  These came crawling up the basement foundation and now a few have made their way to the first floor of the house.  Help!

This is a sow bug. They can only survive in damp conditions. Read more about controlling them here: http://pestcontrolcanada.com/sow-bugs-pill-bugs

6030  No idea what this is and tried googling for awhile, photo taken in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada.  Eddie.

This appears to be a Nuttall’s blister beetle, Lytta nuttalli (Coleoptera: Meloidae); see https://tinyurl.com/yag58ncl for images. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6028  Hi,  This is Tiina from Toronto, Ontario. Saw these bugs on the sidewalk in the early evening. They were coming up from the ground in adjacent garden near the base of a tree. They are huge! Shiny, black with menacing looking pincers. What are they?  Tina

This is a stag beetle (Coleoptera: Lucanidae); likely a reddish-brown stag beetle, Lucanus capreolus; see https://tinyurl.com/zny7rzl for more detailed information. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6026  Hi my name is Kaitlyn and I live in Calgary AB. I’m finding these hard shelled black/grey beetles all over my basement apartment. They aren’t coming from one spot because I’m finding them in every room.

This is another short-snouted/broad-nosed weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae; subfamily Entiminae), the black vine weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus (see https://tinyurl.com/pfjs654), is one of the more commonly encountered species indoors. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.