Pest Identification Photos

5855  Hello, looking to identify this bug and get rid of it. My name is Loay and live in Mississauga Ontario. It’s October so it’s somewhat chilly around 1 – 10 degrees Celsius. I found them indoors (including the basement) and outdoors around main entrances.

This is a harmless sowbug.  They have gills which need constant moisture, so they tend to live in moister climates. They are primarily nocturnal, and eat decaying leaf litter and vegetable matter.    Read more about these common and abundant creatures.      Their presence indoors indicates a serious moisture problem.

5853   Hello.  I live just outside Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia. For the past number of days there have been these rather SMALL whitish bugs flying around. First thought it was pollen floating by … but they are a flying bug. Looks more white in the air but have a blueish (neon) glow. Some got caught in a web and when I removed them they appeared to be more blue. A number of friends have also commented on my personal FB page that they too have seen them and are curious to know what they are. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Regards, Janet 

This is a woolly aphid (Hemiptera/ Sternorrhyncha: Aphididae; subfamily Eriosomatinae), see http://tinyurl.com/jugtw2r for images and more detailed information on their life history. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

5851   I discovered these bugs on a shelf in my cupboard . It happened at the beginning of September when I found cockroaches and started cleaning my food cupboards out. I had inadvertently left banana skins In a plastic bag and they somehow got pushed into a cupboard. There were these beetles quite different from the cockroaches. After I cleaned the cupboard out and disposed of the rotting skins. I started to see the running round my kitchen.  I had my condo sprayed. This remedy the beetle problem but not the cockroaches. I have subsequently had it resprayed recently. I saved this specimen because it was nothing like anything I had ever seen. BTW I had tried to use natural remedies like borax and baking soda.  I think I see some powder on the beetle., when I magnify it.  I am totally grossed out.  Naomi

This is a nymph of a cockroach; it resembles one of a German cockroach, Blattella germanica (see http://tinyurl.com/hary6ge for an image), but I am not 100 percent certain. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

5849 Hi, attached is a spider that I photographed today (Oct 29 2016 @ 4:06pm). It was outside (about 19c) on the pool leaf net. Body length about 0.11 in. or 2.8mm. Location Ajax, Ontario.   Frank

This is a crab spider (family Thomisidae); possibly in the genus Mecaphesa – see http://tinyurl.com/24kyg8b for an image. All crab spiders are harmless to humans. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

5847   Clinton, Vancouver, BC This past summer, outside on our vehicles.

This is a pupa of a lady beetle (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

5845   I was bit by this yesterday(Saturday Oct 29) Sandra.  Mitchell Ontario

This appears to be a broadfaced sac spider, Trachelas tranquillus, in the family Trachelidae. These are wandering spiders that do not spin a capture web, and occasionally wander indoors. They are reported to have a painful but not dangerous bite; see http://tinyurl.com/hlpmbbg for more detailed information. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

5843  Mainly green body with red striation along back. Someone suggested it was an assassin bug. May have come in with the dog.

This is indeed an assassin bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Reduviidae; it is a nymph in the genus Zelus, likely Zelus luridus – see http://tinyurl.com/j7822h4 for more detailed information. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

5841    Hi, Please help identify. Seemed to be coming from floor drain. I thought they were fruit flies but they were not flying and seemed to move VERY fast on the floor. So fast I thought they were jumping. Size – Approx 1mm    Photo – 50x Magnification
Location – Canada – Niagara-on-the-lake, Ontario
Picture taken  Oct 27. Season – Regards,  Randy

This appears to be a scuttle fly (Diptera: Phoridae); see http://tinyurl.com/j7t4q6x for an example. Their larvae feed on decomposing organic matter, and the flies can become nuisance pests when they occur indoors. We often see them in our home, as we recycle vegetable scraps, which are an excellent food source for the fly larvae. See http://tinyurl.com/hs7upjt for some control suggestions. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

5839   Found this summer in Muskoka, Ontario on a boat.  Body measures about 1 cm, spider is bright green.  Cheers, Ute

This is a long-jawed orb weaver (family Tetragnathidae); it looks like Tetragnatha viridis – see http://tinyurl.com/hakxrtkfor an image. These spiders usually are found near bodies of water, where they construct webs that more nearly are horizontal rather than vertical over or near the water surface. These all are harmless to humans. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

5837   Good evening.  Found hundreds of these crawling on our back yard fence.  Calgary, Alberta.   Found today.  Yard has loads of vegetation.   The bug is very small, maybe 1/8 to ¼ inch, body is all black.   Rob

Like No. 5832, this is an aphid (Hemiptera/Sternorrhyncha: Aphididae). All aphids are obligatory sap feeders, and in addition to any harm they may cause plants, they can be real nuisances as well from other standpoints. See http://tinyurl.com/jexmcaefor more detailed information. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV

5835    My son had this in his hand in Belleville, on. We also have a dog.   Tammy.

This is an engorged female hard tick (family Ixodidae), but I cannot tell which species it might be. You may want to check your dog to see if it is carrying any more. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

5833 Found in Saskatchewan, also believe seen recently in Edmonton Alberta (inside buildings)  SCOTT

This appears to be an assassin bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Reduviidae) in the subfamily Triatominae; members of this subfamily collectively are known as cone-nose or kissing bugs and are obligate blood feeders. Your image bears some resemblance to Triatoma lecticularia, but you are hundreds of miles north of its known occurrence in North America. Any found in Canada likely would have arrived via commercial transport of some kind. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

5831 Hi my name is Sarah and I have come across 2 bugs so far in my home both the same and I have no idea what it is , I was wondering if you could let me know what it is and is it harmful as in should I go to a doctor and get treated if someone got bit by one. I live in Sudbury Ontario.  This bug is about the size in between a nickel and a dime , it has red lines on its back, in the photo I have attached I appears to look like a fly but it had like a hard looking shell on its back with I wouldn’t say whiskers in the front of its face but one on each side of face. Thank you so much.   Sarah

This is a completely harmless boxelder bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Rhopalidae; Boisea sp.). These basically are nuisance pests that do little if any real harm – see http://tinyurl.com/pr9y98a for more detailed information. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

5829 These “beetles” I’m assuming, seem to be everywhere amongst leaves and dark areas. We are located an hour outside Ottawa, Ontario area along water front. I’ve only recently,  noticed these and are finding them in a number of areas around our yard.

These are spotted (sometimes called pink-spotted) lady beetles, Coleomegilla maculata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), a very common and widespread species. See http://tinyurl.com/jf86263 for images and more detailed information. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

5827  Found these two in my yard in Brantford Ontario this past summer. Wondering what they are.  Scott.

These are ambush bugs (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Reduviidae; subfamily Phymatinae). They lay in wait on vegetation, especially flowers, for potential meals to come close enough to grab. They are capable of overpowering prey items much larger than themselves. See http://tinyurl.com/ngzv3nn for more detailed information,  Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

5825   Hi there – some relatives are currently in Lourmarin in the South of France and the came across this little creature.   Just wondering if you might know what it is – or how I might find out. Thanks so much, Kathy

This is a mature caterpillar of an oleander hawkmoth, Daphnis nerii (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae); see Daphnis nerii – Wikipedia
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

5823   I live in Montreal, Quebec, in a basement apartment. It was raining when this thing appeared in my living room. It’s about the size of my fingernail (about 1-2 cm) I trapped it in a small mason jar until I could identify it. I really hope it’s not a cockroach because my place is meticulously clean and I’ve never had to deal with that before. Thanks,  Jennifer

This is indeed a nymph of a cockroach, but I cannot say exactly which species. At least it is not a German cockroach, which is both a very common and somewhat difficult to control species. Cockroaches are very adaptable creatures, and their presence is no indicator of any lack of cleanliness. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

5821  Found this trying to fly on a warm sunny day on Quadra Island BC. I can’t identify the large insect but assume mites are on his/her back.  The mites if that’s what they are eventually killed the larger insect after an hour or so of serious torment.

This is a burying/sexton beetle (Coleoptera: Silphidae) in the genus Nicrophorus. The little red critters are mites that are using the beetle as transportation (a phenomenon known as phoresy) to get to their next meal source – see http://tinyurl.com/gumcmra for an image. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

5819   This moth is about 1 cm wide. They are new to our farmhouse and are small enough to wiggle into the house past the edges of the screens on the windows.  They are attracted to the nightlight so I have counted 10 in our bathroom in the morning.  When I kill them they are fragile and leave a dust smear on the wall.  They are quite lively if you don’t grab them quickly and they will fly away.  I live in northeastern Alberta Canada.  As I mentioned, I have never seen these before this summer and I have been unable to identify them on any website.  Can you tell me what they are and what their source might be so I can deal with them?   Catherine

This is a moth in the family Alucitidae (many-plumed moths); likely Alucita montana – see http://tinyurl.com/h8fz34q for more detailed information. These are not pests, their larvae likely are leaf and flower miners of snowberry (Symphoricarpos spp.). Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

5817   My name is Ellie…  These photos were taken in Columbus, Ohio.  In October, these bugs were found under the cat’s water bowl on an ident on the underside of the bowl. The area around where they were found was wet and bowl had not been moved for a bit. (The apartment has AC and cat is only an indoor cat.) They all measure about a quarter of a centimeter. They are a light brown/ tan color with very small reddish-brown coloring on “face” and tail end. It appears that they have antenna. They look like very small grains of rice- or like a oval pill shape.  Thank you!

These are the pupae of flies in the family Phoridae (scuttle/hump-backed flies). These are very common nuisance pests whose larvae develop quickly in bits of decomposing organic matter. They are frequent ‘guests’ in our kitchen where we have a small composting bin. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

5815   I found these in a light hanging from the roof. How would they get there? Is this something I should be worried about? And please tell me what they are.

These appear to be the larvae of a beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, which includes nuisance pests such as the yellow mealworm. They are unlikely to cause any harm in their current location, but you might want to periodically check any areas where you store grains, seeds, etc. for any signs of infestation. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

Hello there I have lived in Bowmanville Ontario for about 15 years now and I have never seen this bug, until 3 days ago I saw one and thought nothing of it. Then I saw a post on Facebook warning if you see this bug in your house then go to a disease heath center immediately. Now today being Thursday October 6th 2016 I have approx. 30 to 50 gathering/flying around the front, sides, windows of my house as well as the Garage door. They seem to love window screens and anywhere there is a lot of hot sun. My research has show me they are native far southern than me but I’m wondering since we have had such a hot summer if it is possible the migrated north and cause a potential issue. Please take a look at the attached photo and let me know. Thank you, Greg

This a Milkweed bug that looks remarkably like boxelder bugs until you compare the two together.  The differences are then quite obvious.  For milkweed bug information visit the Nature Trust of British Columbia web site. http://www.naturetrust.bc.ca/blog/?m=201104

5811  Can you please help In identifying this bug found in my house, London Ontario. Thank  you.  Mark

This is a small click beetle (Coleoptera: Elateridae); these are accidental intruders that will do no damage indoors. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

5809   Hi,   I live in Kelowna BC  This beauty was found in my garage in November 2015.  I recently (couple of weeks ago – August 2016)  found another while walking down the road not far from my house.  I am curious as to what it is.  They are approximately the size of a loonie.  Thank you Corinne 

This is a mygalomorph spider (the group to which tarantulas, etc. belong), possibly a male in the genus Antrodiaetus, see http://tinyurl.com/j3oluh9 for an example. Males of these spiders often are found wandering about, apparently in search of a mate, while the females usually are found in their burrows. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

5807  HI my name is Kevin. I’m from Sundre, Alberta, Canada. It’s the beginning of fall.  I have found these beetles in my house before and upon hours of looking online I can’t seem to find a match for them. Ive found some close but not the same. This one is approximately 2-2.5cm long. And they smell absolutely vile when you kill them.

This is Necrodes surinamensis, a carrion/burying beetle (Coleoptera/Silphidae) known as the redlined carrion beetle. Beetles in this family are nature’s recyclers, disposing of the carcasses of small birds and mammals as they feed their young; see http://tinyurl.com/hc2ns72 for more details. In the future, please release outdoors any of these that should find their way inside, so that they may carry out their duties.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.