Thousands of pest photos submitted for identification.

Orb weaver

6998.     Would like to know what type of spider this is. Shebandowam, On. Canada

Number 6998. It’s an orb weaver in the family Araneidae; looks like an Araneus sp.  Click here for an example.

western conifer seed bug

6997.    This creature was on the table on our deck at about 0730am did not and has not moved.? Trenton, Ontario. Canada

Number 6997. This is a western conifer seed bug, Leptoglossus occidentalis (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Coreidae). Although harmless, these can become nuisance pests when they enter homes in search of shelter. Click here for more detailed information.

Caterpillars of the white-marked tussock moth

6996.      Several of these in my yard on the trees. First time I have seen them here. July 22, 2020. Hanmer, Ontario. Canada

Number 6996. These are caterpillars of the white-marked tussock moth, Orgyia leucostigma (Lepidoptera: Erebidae).  Click here for images and more detailed information.

Japanese beetles

6995.       Hi can you please help me identify this beetle? Thank you. Troy, Ontario. Canada

Number 6995. These are Japanese beetles, a very destructive invasive species. Click here for some control suggestions.

Nymphs of a hairy chinch bug

6994.     Hi Folks, we are trying to identify what bug is this in our back yard? Barrie, ON. Canada

Number 6994. These appear to be nymphs of a hairy chinch bug, Blissus leucopterus hirtus (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Blissidae), a lawn/turf pest – Click here for details.

Larva of an Asian multi-coloured lady beetle

6993.    This was biting my wife on her hand and we would like to identify it if possible. North Vancouver, BC. Canada

Number 6993. This is a larva of an Asian multi-coloured lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). For unknown reasons, these beetles will occasionally ‘sample’ human skin, but their bite is of no consequence. Click here for more detailed information.

Long-horned wood-boring beetle

6992.      Southern Vancouver Island; docile; 2” in length. Victoria, BC. Canada

Number 6992. This is a long-horned wood-boring beetle (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in the subfamily Prioninae; likely Prionus californicus, known as the California root borer. Click here for more information.

Nymph of a hairy chinch bug,

6991.      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 6991. This appears to be a nymph of a hairy chinch bug, Blissus leucopterus hirtus (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Blissidae) – Click here for details.

Leaf beetle

6990.        Found on a concrete balcony in Hamilton. Hamilton, Ontario. Canada

Number 6990. This is a leaf beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), it looks like a goldenrod leaf beetle, Trirhabda canadensis – Click here for an image.

Ground beetle

6989.         Every night since April, they have been inside the house and annoying us. They seem to love the light, but dont bother humans or pets. The cat seems to think they dont taste all that nice though. After a heavy rain, there seems to be less, but the day after a heavy rain they are NUTS! They can also be seen on the outside of the glass on the window. There has to be at least 100-200 a night (indoors). Thank you for your help. Lowbanks, Ontario. Canada

Number 6989. This is a small ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae). These are general predators on other small arthropods, mainly other insects. Click here for more detailed information.

Larva of a beetle

6988.       Hi, we have a few of these in our house and they creep us out – they look a little bit fuzzy and they crawl around. They’re around 3 – 5 mm long. What are they? Pinantan Lake, BC. Canada

Number 6988. This is a larva of a beetle in the family Dermestidae (hide/skin/carpet/larder beetles and allies), likely that of a larder beetle Dermestes lardarius; Click here for a fact sheet with detailed information. You should check all food storage areas for signs of infestation.

Nymphs of a hairy chinch bug

6987.      These are outside near the garden and on the sunny, hot landscaping rocks. They come out in the hundreds around 5:00pm in the hot sun. At first we thought they were ants. Lakehurst, ON. Canada

Number 6987. These look like nymphs of a hairy chinch bug, Blissus leucopterus hirtus (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Blissidae), a lawn/turf pest – Click here for details.

Nymph of a hairy chinch bug

6986.        Looking for information/identification of this beetle. Is commonly present on our old deck. However, just after moving into the house, they appeared under and behind many of our boxes in large numbers. They didn’t appear in my basement until after my move in. Thanks! Gatineau Quebec. Canada

Number 6986. Not a beetle; the image is too small to be certain, but it looks like a nymph of a hairy chinch bug, Blissus leucopterus hirtus (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Blissidae) – Click here. If so, this would be a rather odd place to find them.

Broad-nosed/short-snouted weevils

6985.    Hi these bugs are found in the basement In the rooms that do t have carpet mostly. Fairmont Ho Springs, BC. Canada

Number 6985. These are broad-nosed/short-snouted weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae; subfamily Entiminae). Click here for an example.

Nymph of a stink bug

6984.      Hello, this little guy fell on my leg, I apologize for the bit of blurred. My friend and I are bickering because she thinks it’s a tick. I found the other picture from google from your website, but to unavail I couldn’t find it on your website, not sure what it is. Appreciate any help. North bay, Ontario. Canada

Number 6984. This is a nymph of a stink bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Pentatomidae); it looks like one of the predatory species in the genus Apoecilus. Click here for an image & Click here for more information.

Clavate tortoise beetle

6983.    I just found this very small, flat bug on the wall inside my walkout basement apartment. It flew when I tried to remove it. I’ve never seen one before and am curious to know what it is! Whitchurch-Stouffville, Ontario. Canada

Number 6983. This is a clavate tortoise beetle, Plagiometriona clavata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). This is a common and widespread species; Click here for more detailed information.

Native solitary bees

6982.     They scare me whenever I water the plants and I have no idea what they are. Do they sting? Calgary, Alberta. Canada

Number 6982. This is one of the many species of native solitary bees. These are primarily ground (burrow) or cavity-nesting, and are very valuable as pollinators. They are not aggressive, but can sting if mishandled. Just let them go about their business.

Cockroach

6981.     I’m trying to figure out if this is a cockroach can you please help me. westville, NS. Canada

Number 6981. This is a cockroach (Blattodea: Ectobiidae); it is in the genus Ectobius and may be Ectobius lapponicus. Known as the dusky cockroach, it is a European species that has become established in the Maritime Provinces; Click here for more detailed information.

Leaf beetle

6980.      Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Canada

Number 6980. This may be a leaf beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), but the image is not clear enough to be certain. Click here for more detailed information including control recommendations.

Nymph of a stink bug

6979.    1Sainte-Thérèse, Québec. Canada

Number 6979. This is a nymph of a stink bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) that appears to have molted recently. It may be one of the predatory species in the genus Podisus (soldier bugs). Click here for an image & Click here for more information.

Osmoderma scabra

6978.     Please identify this beetle. Thanks. Huntsville, Ontario. Canada

Number 6978. This is Osmoderma scabra (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Known as the rough Osmoderma, their larvae live on and in rotting wood; they are completely harmless. Click here for an example.

Long-horned wood-boring beetle

6977.    Delta, BC. Canada

Number 6977. This is Monochamus scutellatus, a long-horned wood-boring beetle (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) known as the white-spotted sawyer or spruce sawyer. Click here for more detailed information.

Sawfly

6976.      In a bus stop on Hamilton Mountain. Hamilton, Ontario. Canada

Number 6976. This is a sawfly (Hymenoptera: Symphtya), possibly in the family Tenthredinidae). The larvae of most of these are foliage feeders. Click here for more detailed information.

Broad-nosed/short-snouted weevil

6975.       Have found a few of these around the house. Wondering what they are. Ottawa, Ontario. Canada

Number 6975. 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 example.

Sceliphron caementarium

6974.     Found when I got home from work inside my house. Never seen a wasp with a body like this one. It’s the length of a regular size paper clip. Langley, BC. Canada

Number 6974. This is Sceliphron caementarium (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae), known as the black and yellow mud dauber; Click here for an image. They feed their young on spiders that they capture, paralyze, and place in their mud ‘nest.’ They are not at all aggressive towards humans.

Earwig

6973.    Crawling on hallway wall.

Number 6973. This is an earwig (order Dermaptera). These basically are nuisance pests that primarily scavenge on decomposing organic matter. A few are predators on other small arthropods and some can occasionally cause damage to tender vegetation. Click here for more detailed information

Snipe fly

6972.     Port Coquitlam, BC. Canada

Number 6972. This is a snipe fly (Diptera: Rhagionidae) in the genus Rhagio,  Click here for an example. These are predatory on other small arthropods.

Rove beetle

6971.  I saw this on my balcony yesterday on my child’s playmat . Tiny little bug but runs very fast . Is thus dangerous ? Is it larvae or actual size of bug ? Is it normally found in bc ? Have never seen it before. Thanks. Surrey, British Columbia. Canada

Number 6971. This is an adult rove beetle (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae). These are general predators on other small arthropods, and ones like yours are completely harmless to humans. There are a few tropical species in the genus Paederus that exude a fluid that can cause skin/eye irritation. Click here for a detailed explanation.

Caddisflies

6970.    They are ruining our backyard relaxation. They are all over our deck, patio furniture covers and other places. They have wings, long antennae and are blackish brown in color. They don’t bite and will fly into your eyes, ears, mouth and nose. We need to identify them And need info on how to get rid of them. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated. Windsor, Ontario. Canada

Number 6970. These appear to be caddisflies (order Trichoptera). These are harmless; the adults either do not feed at all or may partake of nectar like their sister group, butterflies and moths. Their larvae are aquatic, and constitute an important part of the freshwater food web. You would not be able to get rid of them without causing great harm to other freshwater organisms. Click here for more detailed information.

Imperial moth

6969.      Out front of my building on a cool summer morning July. Hamilton, Ontario. Canada

Number 6969. This is an imperial moth, Eacles imperialis (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae). These moths unfortunately are becoming increasingly uncommon over much of their range. Click here for more detailed information.

Harvestman

6968.      Colborne, ON. Canada

Number 6968. This is a harvestman, an arachnid in the order Opiliones. Sometimes also called ‘daddy long-legs’, they are non-venomous and harmless. See Click here for more detailed information.

Cinch bugs

How to eliminate cinch bugs in lawn.

Chinch bugs – Click here for current recommendations and guidelines.

Springtail

How do I control Springtails inside and outside my home? They are coming out from under baseboards in my bathrooms. Also coming out from under flashing over lintels along top of stone veneer at the lower 4 feet of my exterior walls.

Springtail Control -The best control is moisture management, as springtails are highly susceptible to desiccation. You want to make the environment both inside and immediately outside your home as unwelcoming as possible for these creatures by eliminating both unnecessary moisture sources and potential harborage. See Click Here for details