Archive for category: Pest Identification

6705.      Richmond Hill, Ontario. Canada

 

Number 6705.  This looks like a broad-faced sac spider, Trachelas tranquillus; it is reported to have a painful bite.  Click here for more detailed information.

6703.      Condo apartment. October, 2019. Richmond Hill, Ontario. Canada

 

Number 6703.  The image is not clear enough for a positive identification. The only insects of that size and general overall appearance that would be of any concern are the saw-toothed and merchant grain beetles in the genus Oryzaephilus (Coleoptera: Silvanidae).  Click here for a fact sheet that includes some control suggestions.

6701.      I live in Delta, BC and find these pests mainly in my bathroom. Occasionally, I find them in my kitchen and laundry room. They vary in size from about 1/4 inch to 1 inch. They are dark in color and move very fast. They have 8 legs, 3 feelers in front and 2 feelers in back. What are they? Are they harmful? How do I get rid of them? Darlene Balcome, Delta, BC

 

Number 6701.  The image is too blurry to be certain, but these most likely are silverfish or firebrats, primitive insects in the order Zygentoma. These basically are nuisance pests that seldom cause real harm. Click here for a fact sheet that includes some control suggestions. 

6700.    I pulled this off of my leg. Loretto, Ontario. Canada

 

Number 6700.  This is an engorged female tick; as its overall appearance is consistent with one in the genus Ixodes that includes the deer tick, you should keep alert for any signs/symptoms of Lyme disease. Click here for detailed information on Lyme disease in Ontario.

6698.      We had a few in our window ledge then suddenly a tonne in the crumbs under child’s stool and then moved the oven and found them all through our drawers. Killed a bunch with insecticides but still coming out of the crevices in our floor but much less so. We also had bites in a line on my husbands foot so concerned these are bed bugs? But they are not flat and seem to hoard on crumbs. Help! Ottawa, Ontario. Canada

 

Number 6698.  These are grain beetles (Coleoptera: Silvanidae) in the genus Oryzaephilus (saw-toothed and merchant grain beetles). These are cosmopolitan species that can infest a wide variety of dry stored food products. Click here for more detailed information. They would not be responsible for any bites.

6696.      Waterloo Ontario. Canada

 

Number 6696.  This is a sowbug, a terrestrial arthropod in the order Isopoda. Also known as pillbugs, roly polys, woodlice, and slaters, they primarily are harmless scavengers found in the decomposing organic matter.

6694.      Legal, Alberta. Canada

 

Number 6694.  This is a predaceous diving beetle (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae). These and their larvae (water tigers) are voracious predators on other small aquatic life forms. They are strong fliers and often are found far from any water.

6692.      We have found a few of them in that last few days and wondering what they are as we have not seen them before, we are finding them in our home and I have kids so just wondering what they are. Seal Cove WB., NL. Canada

 

Number 6692.  This is an ichneumon wasp (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae). Ones of this type usually are parasitic on moth or butterfly larvae/pupae. They lack venom and are harmless to humans. Click here for an example.

6690.      Saskatoon, SK. Canada

 

Number 6690.  This is a camel/cave cricket (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae). These usually are found in relatively dark, undisturbed places. They basically are harmless scavengers, but sometimes can become nuisance pests when they occur indoors. Click here for more detailed information.

6688.      Found outside my house. Cool morning. October 4th 2019. Calgary, Alberta. Canada

 

Number 6688.  This looks like one of the fishing spiders (family Pisauridae) in the genus Dolomedes, these are harmless to humans.  Click here for an image.

6686.      The bug is probably around 0.5 CM long, and it was found crawling on our curtains/around our window ledge. We’ve seen it a few times around the condo, and we have no idea where it comes from or what it is. I found a few more in random places in the apartment – sometimes in the sink, sometimes on the curtain, and most recently in a cupboard! I tried taking a close up photo this time – does this help confirm whether it is in fact a beetle, and is it harmful? Any advice on how to eliminate it? It’s the first time I’ve ever ever had issues with pests in the condo. Thanks, Phoebe.

 

Number 6686.  This is a beetle in the family Dermestidae (carpet/hide/skin/larder beetles and allies); it might be a black carpet beetle in the genus Attagenus – Click here for control recommendations.

6684.      Found in the basement. Less than half an inch. Edmonton, Alberta. Canada

 

Number 6684.  This is a terrestrial crustacean in the order Isopoda. They go by a variety of common names, including sowbugs, pillbugs, slaters, woodlice, and roly polys. They are harmless scavengers on decomposing organic matter, but occasionally become nuisance pests when they occur indoors in large numbers.

6682.      This was on my wall this morning. Looks similar to the scarlet malachite but without the pointy things. It was about 1 cm long. I live in BC. Thank you.

 

Number 6682.  This is a caterpillar rather than a beetle larva. One possibility is that it might be a caterpillar of the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae); Click here for more detailed information, including some control recommendations. These often leave their food source when mature to find a suitable place to pupate. You should check any areas where dry food products are stored for signs of infestation.

6680.      Found dead on the carpet near the sliding balcony doors. Quite large, between 1/2 to 3/4 inch. Calgary, AB. Canada

 

Number 6680.  This is a centipede (class Chilopoda). These are general predators on other small arthropods, and ones like this are harmless to humans. Click here for more detailed information.

6678.      Taken 23rd of September. In the past few days I’ve repeatedly found bug bites with small white tubes that were easily pulled out. Now, I found this bug acting dead and not moving in any way to the point that I picked it up with needles under the wings to stage a photograph. It did not move until I opened the door, and it merely walked a few steps, shook it’s head, and “died” again. I am very puzzled, please help! Owen Sound, ON. Canada

 

Number 6678.  This is a nymph of an assassin bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Reduviidae) in the genus Zelus. If this one were to bite you, you would know it as it is very painful. Click here for more detailed information.

6676.      Thus bug was found on a pet rabbit in the evening and the bunny passed away over night… coincidence? We’ve never seen this type of bug but have recently moved here. Toronto, Ontario. Canada

 

Number 6676.  This looks like a larva (maggot) of a lesser house fly (Diptera: Muscidae). Also known as a latrine fly, they breed in all manner of decomposing organic matter, Click here for details.