Agricultural-pest
Guides
Russellaspis
oleander pit scale, fig pit scale
Russellaspis is a genus of armored scale insects (Asterolecaniidae) known primarily from the species R. pustulans, commonly called the oleander pit scale or fig pit scale. These insects are parthenogenetic, with no known males, and are significant agricultural pests on fruit trees and ornamental plants in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. The genus is characterized by its pit-inducing feeding damage on host plants and its ability to complete multiple generations annually under favorable conditions.
Saccharosydne
delphacid planthoppers
Saccharosydne is a genus of delphacid planthoppers in the family Delphacidae, established by Kirkaldy in 1907. The genus comprises approximately nine described species distributed across the Americas, with the type species Saccharosydne saccharivora (Westwood, 1833) being a major pest of sugar-cane. Species in this genus are phloem-feeding insects associated with grasses and sugar-cane, with some serving as vectors of plant pathogens including phytoplasmas.
Sagotylus
Sagotylus is a genus of leaf-footed bugs in the family Coreidae, established by Mayr in 1865. The genus contains a single described species, S. confluens. Members of this genus are true bugs (Hemiptera) within the suborder Heteroptera.
Sagotylus confluens
Sagotylus confluens is a true bug in the family Coreidae (leaf-footed bugs), first described by Say in 1832 as Coreus confluens. The species has been recorded from Mexico and the southwestern United States including Arizona, California, and Florida. A 2021 study in Veracruz, Mexico, documented seven species of parasitoid wasps associated with its eggs, including members of Eupelmidae, Eurytomidae, Encyrtidae, and Scelionidae. The species has been collected from sword bean (Canavalia ensiformis) plants.
Saissetia
soft scales, black scales
Saissetia is a genus of soft scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccidae) containing at least four described species. The genus includes economically important pests, notably Saissetia oleae (black scale) and Saissetia coffeae (hemispherical scale), which attack citrus, olive, coffee, and numerous ornamental plants. Saissetia species are phloem-feeding insects that produce honeydew, facilitating ant associations and sooty mold growth. Several species have been introduced globally through trade in infested nursery plants.
Saissetia coffeae
hemispherical scale, helmet scale, coffee brown scale
Saissetia coffeae is a polyphagous soft scale insect (Coccidae) with a cosmopolitan tropical and subtropical distribution. Adults are sessile, hemispherical, and helmet-shaped, ranging 2–4.5 mm in diameter depending on host plant. The species reproduces parthenogenetically; all individuals are female. It is a significant agricultural pest of coffee, citrus, avocado, fig, guava, and numerous ornamental plants, causing damage through phloem sap feeding and honeydew secretion that promotes sooty mold growth. Multiple parasitoid wasps and predatory insects are associated with natural population regulation.
Sancassania
Sancassania is a genus of mites in the family Acaridae containing more than 80 species. Many species are associated with fungi, particularly mushrooms, with some lineages having specialized to exploit this ephemeral resource. Other species are phoretic on beetles or occur in soil and decomposing organic matter. The genus includes economically significant species associated with agricultural crops and biocontrol systems.
Scaphoideus nigrellus
Scaphoideus nigrellus is a synonym of Scaphoideus titanus, the American grapevine leafhopper. The species was described by DeLong and Mohr in 1936 but is now considered a junior synonym. The valid name S. titanus is a significant agricultural pest in European vineyards, where it vectors the phytoplasma causing Flavescence dorée disease. In its native North American range, it feeds on wild grapevines and is rarely noticed.
Scaphytopius acutus
Sharp-nosed Leafhopper
Scaphytopius acutus is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, commonly known as the Sharp-nosed Leafhopper. It serves as a documented vector of Peach X-Disease, a phytoplasma pathogen affecting stone fruit cultivation. The species has been studied for its ecological role in bridging wild host plant reservoirs and cultivated peach orchards, with seasonal dispersal patterns between these habitats. It possesses a nationwide distribution across the United States.
Scaptocoris
burrowing bugs, burrower bugs
Scaptocoris is a genus of burrowing bugs in the family Cydnidae, currently containing at least seven described species in the Neotropical region. Species in this genus are economically important soil-borne pests that feed on plant roots using piercing-sucking mouthparts. They exhibit distinctive behavioral adaptations including vertical migration in soil in response to moisture availability and flight dispersal during rainy periods. The genus has been documented attacking crops including soybean, cotton, corn, rice, and various pasture grasses across South America.
Scaptomyza flava
European leaf miner, yellow scaptomyza
Scaptomyza flava is an obligate herbivorous leaf-mining fly in the family Drosophilidae, representing an evolutionary transition to herbivory from the ancestral microbe-feeding habit of drosophilids. Adults are 2.5 mm in length and amber to dark brown in color. The species is native to the Palearctic region with a Holarctic distribution across Europe, Asia, and North America, and has been introduced to New Zealand and Australia where it is a significant agricultural pest of Brassicales crops. Larvae feed internally on leaf mesophyll, creating serpentine mines that mature into blotches. The species is unusual among Drosophilidae in having lost yeast-associated odorant receptors and evolved specialized detoxification mechanisms for mustard oils. It is being developed as a model organism for studying plant-herbivore interactions.
Schistocerca
bird grasshoppers, bird locusts
Schistocerca is a genus of large grasshoppers commonly known as bird grasshoppers, with approximately 50 described species. The genus is notable for containing several species capable of forming destructive locust swarms, most famously the desert locust (S. gregaria), the only Old World representative. Most species occur in the New World, with ten species documented in North America. The genus exhibits phenotypic plasticity, with some species developing migratory morphs under crowded conditions.
Schistocerca americana
American grasshopper, American bird grasshopper
Schistocerca americana is a large grasshopper native to eastern North America, Mexico, and the Bahamas. Adults reach 4.5–5.5 cm in length, with yellow-brown bodies and pale wings marked with large brown spots. The species exhibits temperature-dependent color polyphenism in nymphs, producing green, yellow, or red forms with black patterning influenced by thermal conditions. Two generations occur annually, with adults overwintering rather than eggs. Though occasionally called a 'locust' during localized outbreaks, it lacks the true swarming morph of its congener S. gregaria.
Schistocerca pallens
bird grasshopper
Schistocerca pallens is a large bird grasshopper distributed throughout tropical America. Unlike its close relative Schistocerca cancellata, it lacks locust phase polymorphism and does not form swarms even under crowded laboratory conditions. It remains capable of reaching densities high enough to cause significant agricultural damage, particularly to sugar cane and other crops. The species serves as a natural host for the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium flavoviride, which has been investigated for biological control potential.
Schizura ipomaeae
Morning-glory Prominent, morning-glory prominent moth, false unicorn caterpillar
Schizura ipomaeae, the morning-glory prominent moth, is a North American notodontid moth whose caterpillar is commonly known as the false unicorn caterpillar. The species is found throughout the United States and southern Canada. The caterpillar feeds on morning glory (Ipomoea) and related plants in the Convolvulaceae family. The adult moth is nocturnal and attracted to light.
Sciopithes
Sciopithes is a genus of broad-nosed weevils in the family Curculionidae, established by Horn in 1876. The genus contains approximately six described species distributed in North America. Members are commonly referred to as root weevils, with at least one species, Sciopithes obscurus (the obscure root weevil), documented as a pest of strawberry crops.
Sciopithes obscurus
obscure root weevil
Sciopithes obscurus, commonly known as the obscure root weevil, is a broad-nosed weevil in the family Curculionidae. Adults are nocturnal foliage feeders that sometimes remain in vegetation during daylight hours, an atypical behavior among weevils. The species is considered an agricultural pest in the Pacific Northwest, particularly affecting rhododendrons and strawberries. Larvae feed on roots after hatching, with one generation produced annually.
Scirtothrips
leaf-feeding thrips, citrus thrips, chilli thrips
Scirtothrips is a genus of leaf-feeding thrips in the family Thripidae, established by Shull in 1909. The genus includes economically significant pest species such as the chilli thrips (S. dorsalis), citrus thrips (S. citri), and South African citrus thrips (S. aurantii), which damage agricultural crops through piercing-sucking feeding on tender leaves, buds, and fruit. Species exhibit diverse host associations ranging from highly host-specific forms on endemic Australian Acacia to broadly polyphagous invasive pests. The genus has undergone taxonomic revision, with Labiothrips synonymised under Scirtothrips.
Scirtothrips dorsalis
chilli thrips, yellow tea thrips, castor thrips, Assam thrips, strawberry thrips
Scirtothrips dorsalis is a highly invasive thrips species native to South or Southeast Asia that has achieved global distribution over the past two decades. It is a significant agricultural pest with an exceptionally broad host range spanning vegetables, ornamentals, and fruit crops. The species is characterized by rapid population growth, with development from egg to adult completed in approximately two weeks under optimal conditions. Its feeding causes distinctive damage including leaf curling, brown scarring along leaf veins, and bronzing to blackening of fruits and flowers. The species has been implicated in transmission of tospoviruses, though its efficiency as a vector remains debated. Genetic evidence indicates S. dorsalis represents a species complex of morphologically similar but genetically distinct lineages.
Sclerocona
streaked orange moth
Sclerocona is a monotypic genus of crambid moths in the subfamily Pyraustinae, containing only the species Sclerocona acutella. The genus was established by Meyrick in 1890, though it is treated as a synonym of Calamochrous in some taxonomic databases. The sole species, commonly known as the streaked orange moth, has a broad Palearctic distribution and has been introduced to eastern North America.
Scrobipalpa
Scrobipalpa is a genus of small moths in the family Gelechiidae, established by Janse in 1951. The genus contains over 100 described species distributed across Africa, Asia, Europe, and introduced populations in North America and Australasia. Several species are economically significant agricultural pests, particularly of sugar beet, quinoa, tobacco, and eggplant. The genus was historically split with Euscrobipalpa treated as a subgenus or separate genus, but this distinction is no longer recognized as valid.
Scudderia
Scudder's Bush Katydids, bush katydids
Scudderia is a genus of bush katydids in the subfamily Phaneropterinae, established by Stål in 1873. Species in this genus are medium-sized insects, 30–40 mm in length, with a transcontinental distribution across North America. They are herbivorous, feeding on flowers as nymphs and woody deciduous plants as adults. Several species are economically significant as pests in citrus orchards and stone fruit production, particularly Scudderia furcata, the fork-tailed bush katydid. Males produce species-specific calling songs using file-and-scraper structures on their forewings, and species identification typically requires examination of the male supra-anal plate morphology.
Scutelleridae
Jewel Bugs, Metallic Shield Bugs, Shield-backed Bugs
Scutelleridae is a family of true bugs in the order Hemiptera, commonly known as jewel bugs or shield-backed bugs. Members are distinguished by a greatly enlarged scutellum that forms a continuous shield over the abdomen and wings, often displaying brilliant metallic or iridescent coloration. This family includes approximately 81 genera and over 450 species distributed worldwide, with notable genera including Eurygaster, Scutellera, and Solenosthedium. Several species are significant agricultural pests, particularly of cereal crops.
Scutellerinae
jewel bugs, metallic shield bugs, shield-backed bugs
Scutellerinae is a subfamily of shield-backed bugs in the family Scutelleridae, erected by William Elford Leach in 1815. Members are characterized by an enlarged scutellum that forms a continuous shield over the abdomen and wings. The subfamily includes two tribes: Scutellerini and Sphaerocorini. Some species are agricultural pests of small grains, while others are associated with coniferous hosts.
Scutigerella
garden symphylans, garden centipedes (misapplied)
Scutigerella is a genus of symphylans (class Symphyla) established by John A. Ryder in 1882, with S. immaculata as the type species. It is the second-largest genus in the family Scutigerellidae, comprising at least 35 extant species plus two fossil species preserved in amber. Species range from 3.5 to 9 mm in length and are characterized by a heart-shaped head with spiracles on the anterior surface, 20–50 segmented antennae, 15 tergites with notched posterior margins, and 12 pairs of legs. The genus has a subcosmopolitan distribution centered in northern temperate zones, with introduced populations in Australasia and Oceania.
Selenisa sueroides
pale-edged selenisa, legume caterpillar
Selenisa sueroides is a noctuid moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Guenée in 1852. The species is known from North America, with notable populations in Florida. Larvae have been documented causing damage to agricultural irrigation infrastructure by chewing through plastic microtubing. The species serves as host to multiple parasitoid species.
Sesiinae
clearwing moths
The Sesiinae are a subfamily of clearwing moths within the family Sesiidae, established by Boisduval in 1828. Members are characterized by reduced wing scaling that creates transparent areas, mimicking wasps or hornets in appearance. The subfamily includes multiple tribes, notably Synanthedonini, which contains genera such as Carmenta, Tipulamima, and Macrotarsipodes. Species occur across multiple continents with documented host associations including Clerodendrum paniculatum (Lamiaceae) and Ipomoea batatas (Convolvulaceae).
Sinophorus
Sinophorus is a genus of ichneumonid parasitoid wasps established by Förster in 1869. Species are distributed across Europe, Asia, and North America. Members are larval endoparasitoids of Lepidoptera and possibly other insects. The genus includes at least nine described species, with some species such as Sinophorus megalodontis and S. xanthostomus studied for their biological control potential.
Sipha flava
yellow sugarcane aphid
Sipha flava, commonly known as the yellow sugarcane aphid, is a significant agricultural pest native to North America that has spread to multiple continents. This aphid feeds on warm- and cool-season grasses including sugarcane, sorghum, corn, rice, and numerous pasture grasses. It is distinguished by its bright lemon-yellow to pale green coloration, body covered with small spines, and two double rows of dark spots on the dorsum. The species is notable for injecting a toxin while feeding that causes host plant leaves to turn purple in seedlings and yellow to reddish in older plants, leading to stunted growth, delayed maturity, and potential lodging. Unlike many aphids, it produces little to no honeydew. Populations can increase rapidly through parthenogenetic reproduction, with females giving birth to live young for approximately 28 days.
Siphoninus
ash whiteflies
Siphoninus is a genus of whiteflies in the family Aleyrodidae. The genus includes at least three recognized species: Siphoninus phillyreae (the ash whitefly), S. immaculatus, and S. gruveli. Siphoninus phillyreae is the most extensively studied species, known as a polyphagous pest with a broad global distribution spanning Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Oceania. The genus has been subject to recent taxonomic revision, including the revalidation of S. finitimus as a distinct species.
Siphoninus phillyreae
ash whitefly
Siphoninus phillyreae, commonly known as the ash whitefly, is a polyphagous whitefly species native to western Eurasia, India, and North Africa. It has been introduced to North America, South America, and Oceania, where it is recognized as a significant agricultural pest. The species feeds on a broad range of host plants including ash, pomegranate, apple, pear, and other fruit trees. Encarsia inaron is a primary parasitoid used for its biological control.
Sitobion
Sitobion is a genus of aphids in the family Aphididae, comprising more than 80 described species. Species within this genus are primarily associated with grasses and cereal crops, with Sitobion avenae (English grain aphid) being the most extensively studied. These aphids are phloem-feeding insects that can cause direct damage to host plants and vector plant viruses. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution, with species found across Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America, and Oceania.
Sitona hispidulus
Clover Root Curculio, Clover Weevil
Sitona hispidulus, the clover root curculio, is a weevil species native to Europe that has been introduced to Asia and North America. The larval stage is the most damaging, feeding cryptically underground on root nodules and taproots of legumes, particularly alfalfa and clovers. Adults feed on foliage with minimal damage. The species has been overlooked as a pest for decades but causes chronic issues including reduced stand establishment, shortened stand life, and increased winterkill in forage systems. Population levels are limited by availability of root nodules for early instars and taproot biomass for later instars.
Sitona lepidus
clover root weevil
Sitona lepidus, commonly known as the clover root weevil, is a root-feeding weevil native to Europe that has become an invasive pest in New Zealand and North America. Adults feed on clover foliage while larvae feed on root nodules, reducing nitrogen fixation and pasture quality. The species is particularly damaging in New Zealand due to the absence of natural competitors and established biological control programs using the parasitoid wasp Microctonus aethiopoides are underway.
Sitona lineatus
pea leaf weevil, pea weevil, bean weevil
Sitona lineatus is an invasive weevil pest of pulse crops, particularly field pea (Pisum sativum) and faba bean (Vicia faba). Native to Europe and North Africa, it has established populations in western Canadian prairie provinces and is expanding southward into the northern United States. Adults feed on foliage, while larvae develop underground feeding on root nodules and Rhizobium bacteria. The species exhibits distinct spring and late-summer flight periods tied to temperature thresholds, with spring migration from overwintering sites driving crop colonization. Economic impacts include yield reductions up to 28% through combined foliar and root damage.
Sitophilus
Grain Weevils
Sitophilus is a genus of weevils comprising approximately 14 species, several of which are major pests of stored grain, nuts, and seeds worldwide. The genus includes three of the most economically significant stored-product insects: the rice weevil (S. oryzae), wheat weevil (S. granarius), and maize weevil (S. zeamais). Adults are characterized by a pronounced rostrum and elbowed antennae. Females bore into individual grains to deposit single eggs, sealing the hole with secretion; larvae develop entirely within the grain, often leaving it hollow upon emergence. Many species maintain intracellular symbiotic relationships with γ-Proteobacteria that supplement their nutrient-poor cereal diet.
Sitophilus granarius
granary weevil, wheat weevil, grain weevil
Sitophilus granarius is a cosmopolitan pest of stored cereals, commonly known as the granary weevil or wheat weevil. Adults are flightless and infest raw grains including wheat, barley, and oats, causing significant quantitative and qualitative losses in storage facilities. The species is distinguished from similar storage weevils by its inability to fly and its preference for cooler, drier conditions. Larvae develop endophytically inside grain kernels, completing their entire immature life cycle within a single seed.
Sitophilus oryzae
Rice Weevil
Sitophilus oryzae, commonly known as the rice weevil, is a cosmopolitan stored product pest that infests rice, wheat, maize, and other cereal grains. Adults are small reddish-brown beetles with a distinctive elongated snout and four reddish-brown spots on the elytra. The species has a complete metamorphosis life cycle with egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages, all completed within grain kernels. Females lay eggs inside grains, and larvae develop entirely within the kernel, making infestations difficult to detect until adults emerge.
Smicronyx
seed weevils, sunflower seed weevils
Smicronyx is a large genus of true weevils (Curculionidae) containing over 220 described species distributed worldwide. Many species are specialized seed feeders, with several economically important members attacking cultivated sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) in North America. The genus includes gall-forming species and potential biological control agents for parasitic and invasive weeds. Larval development typically occurs within seeds or plant galls, with adults emerging to feed on pollen, buds, or foliage.
Smicronyx amoenus
Smicronyx amoenus is a species of true weevil in the beetle family Curculionidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1832. It is native to North America, with confirmed records from Canada (Manitoba, Saskatchewan) and the United States. Like other members of the genus Smicronyx, this species is associated with sunflower plants (Helianthus spp.), where adults feed on pollen and developing seeds. The larvae develop within sunflower seeds, making this and related species economically significant as pests of commercial sunflower cultivation.
Smicronyx sordidus
Gray Sunflower Seed Weevil
Smicronyx sordidus, commonly known as the gray sunflower seed weevil, is a seed-feeding weevil in the family Curculionidae. Adults are pale gray and approximately 6–8 mm long. The species has a single annual generation and is a recognized pest of cultivated sunflowers, particularly affecting confectionery and hybrid seed varieties. Larvae develop inside sunflower seeds, destroying the kernel from within before dropping to the soil to overwinter.
Sminthuridae
globular springtails
Sminthuridae is a family of globular springtails (order Symphypleona) characterized by a rounded body shape, four-segmented antennae with successively lengthening segments, and an exceptionally long ventral tube with eversible vesicles. Members possess well-developed tracheae and a furcula for jumping. The family includes 13 genera and is distinguished from the similar Sminthurididae by antennal structure and dens setation. Some species are notable agricultural pests, while others are common in forest litter and snow habitats.
Sogatella
white-backed planthopper (for S. furcifera)
Sogatella is a genus of delphacid planthoppers in the family Delphacidae, comprising more than 20 described species. The genus was established by Fennah in 1956. The best-studied species, Sogatella furcifera (white-backed planthopper), is a major agricultural pest of rice across Asia. Members of this genus are characterized by their association with rice and grass hosts, with S. furcifera serving as a vector for plant viruses including southern rice black-streaked dwarf virus.
Sogatella kolophon
Sogatella kolophon is a delphacid planthopper species with a broad pantropical and subtropical distribution spanning Africa, Australia, the Caribbean, Central America, North America, Oceania, South America, and Southern Asia. It is a documented vector of at least two significant plant viruses: Digitaria striate virus (a rhabdovirus) and pangola stunt virus (a fijivirus), both affecting pasture grasses in the genus Digitaria and related grasses. The species has three recognized subspecies: S. k. atlantica, S. k. kolophon, and S. k. meridiana. Immature stages have been described, though detailed biological information remains limited in accessible literature.
Solenopsis geminata
tropical fire ant, Geminata-group fire ant
Solenopsis geminata, the tropical fire ant, is a native New World species with a broad distribution spanning the southern United States through Central and South America, and introduced populations across Asia, the Pacific Islands, and Africa. The species exhibits a foraging strategy tradeoff between discovery efficiency and competitive territorial dominance compared to its congener S. xyloni, with S. geminata being less efficient at resource discovery but superior in competitive encounters. Invasive populations demonstrate adaptive strategies to overcome inbreeding costs, including pleometrosis (cooperative colony founding by multiple queens) and execution of diploid male larvae. The species serves as host to Pseudacteon phorid fly parasitoids.
Solenopsis invicta
Red Imported Fire Ant, RIFA
Solenopsis invicta is a highly invasive ant species native to South America that has spread to multiple continents, causing significant ecological and economic damage. It forms large, aggressive colonies that dominate disturbed habitats and displace native ant species through competition and predation. The species exhibits flexible colony reproduction through both nuptial flights and colony budding, with some populations containing multiple queens. Its painful sting and tendency to swarm when disturbed make it a serious public health and agricultural pest.
Solenopsis richteri
Black Imported Fire Ant, BIFA
Solenopsis richteri, the black imported fire ant, is a South American native fire ant species that has been introduced to North America. Once considered a subspecies or color variant of Solenopsis invicta, it is now recognized as a distinct species with demonstrably different range and ecological preferences. It appears more cold-tolerant and less dominant than the red imported fire ant. In its native Argentina, it is attacked by six species of Pseudacteon phorid flies that significantly reduce its foraging activity. The species hybridizes with S. invicta where their ranges overlap, particularly in Tennessee. In Eritrea, it has been documented as a serious agricultural pest of crops and grazing areas.
Sophonia orientalis
Two-spotted Leafhopper
Sophonia orientalis is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, commonly known as the Two-spotted Leafhopper. It is polyphagous and has established populations across Asia, Europe, the United States, and Oceania. The species is notable for its broad geographic distribution spanning multiple continents.
Sparganothis
Sparganothis fruitworm
Sparganothis is a genus of tortricid moths in the subfamily Tortricinae. Several species are significant agricultural pests, particularly of cranberries, blueberries, and grapes. The genus includes the economically important Sparganothis sulfureana, a major cranberry pest in North America, and S. pilleriana, a grape leaf-roller in European vineyards. Species exhibit bivoltine life cycles with larvae that feed on fruit and foliage, causing direct yield losses in commercial production systems.
Sparganothis sulfureana
sparganothis fruitworm moth, blueberry leafroller
Sparganothis sulfureana is a tortricid moth and major agricultural pest of cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) in North America. Larvae cause economic damage through two distinct feeding behaviors: spring feeding on new foliar growth reduces photosynthetic capacity, while second-generation larvae bore into enlarging berries, with each larva destroying 3–5 berries. The species is bivoltine, overwintering as first-instar larvae, and has been documented on multiple host plants including blueberry, apple, alfalfa, celery, and pine. Management relies on integrated pest management strategies including degree-day models for timing insecticide applications, flooding, and developing pheromone-based mating disruption.