Early-season-pest
Guides
Cerotoma
bean leaf beetles
Cerotoma is a genus of leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) containing approximately seven described species distributed across North America and the Neotropics. The genus is best known for Cerotoma trifurcata, commonly called the bean leaf beetle, a significant agricultural pest of soybean and common bean. Adults feed on foliage and pods, while larvae feed on roots and root nodules. The genus exhibits strong host associations with leguminous plants.
Colaspis crinicornis
grape colaspis
Colaspis sp-near-crinicornis, commonly known as grape colaspis, is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is recognized as an early-season pest of soybean in the southern United States. The species has been documented in economic entomology studies evaluating neonicotinoid seed treatments for pest management.
Colaspis favosa
grape colaspis
Colaspis favosa is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Eumolpinae. It is native to North America and occurs primarily along the Atlantic and Gulf coastal regions of the United States. The species has been documented as an early-season pest of soybean in the southern United States, where it is commonly known as the grape colaspis. It is one of several Colaspis species associated with agricultural crops.
Colaspis favosa-complex
grape colaspis
The Colaspis favosa-complex, commonly known as the grape colaspis, comprises a group of cryptic leaf beetle species that are difficult to distinguish morphologically. Members of this complex are significant agricultural pests in the southern United States, particularly in soybean production systems. They are among the early-season pests that have become more problematic as planting dates have shifted earlier in the year. The complex is frequently referenced in economic entomology literature regarding management decisions for neonicotinoid seed treatments.
Colaspis melaina
Grape colaspis
Colaspis melaina is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, commonly known as the grape colaspis. It is recognized as an early-season pest of soybeans in the southern United States, particularly in the lower Mississippi Valley region including Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. The species is one of several Colaspis beetles associated with agricultural crops, and its larvae feed on plant roots while adults feed on foliage.
Egira
Egira is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae. The genus includes species that are agricultural pests, notably Egira curialis, commonly known as the citrus cutworm. This species feeds on young citrus fruit in California groves, causing scarring damage that can render fruit unmarketable. Research indicates that caterpillar densities and associated fruit scarring are higher in larger citrus groves.
Egira crucialis
Egira crucialis is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Harvey in 1875. It is native to North America and has been recorded as an early-season pest of citrus in California's San Joaquin Valley, where it feeds on very young fruit. The species is listed under Hodges number 10508 in the Moths of North America (MONA) database.
Elasmopalpus lignosella
lesser cornstalk borer
Elasmopalpus lignosella, commonly known as the lesser cornstalk borer, is a moth species whose larvae are pests of young agricultural crops including sorghum, corn, peanuts, and soybeans. The species is widely distributed, with records from North America, Europe, and Hawaii. Larvae bore into stems near ground level, causing wilting, lodging, and plant death. Infestations are more severe during hot, dry conditions and in sandy soils. While capable of significant damage in soybeans and other crops, damaging infestations in sorghum are rare.
Mamestra curialis
Scripted Arches Moth, Scripted Arches
Mamestra curialis is a noctuid moth native to North America, first described by John Bernhard Smith in 1887. The species has been documented across western Canada including Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. It was historically referred to as the "citrus cutworm" in California agricultural literature, where early-season larvae feed on young citrus fruit, though this common name has also been applied to related species. The species has gained attention in integrated pest management research due to its potential economic impact on citrus production.
Triops
tadpole shrimp, shield shrimp
Triops is a genus of small branchiopod crustaceans in the order Notostraca, commonly known as tadpole shrimp or shield shrimp. The genus is distinguished by having only a pair of long, thin caudal extensions on the telson, unlike the related genus Lepidurus which bears an additional central platelike process. Some species are frequently sold as aquarium pets in dried egg kits, hatching upon contact with fresh water. In agricultural settings, particularly California rice cultivation, certain species function as early-season pests that damage germinating seedlings.