Greenhouse-pest
Guides
Aculops cannabicola
hemp russet mite, HRM
Aculops cannabicola, the hemp russet mite, is a highly specialized eriophyoid mite and among the most serious pests of Cannabis sativa. First described from Hungary in 1960, it has since been detected across multiple continents including North America, Central Asia, and Europe, with its first Italian record in 2021. The mite causes distinctive rust-colored damage to leaves, curling of leaf edges, and russeting, and can reduce flower and seed production by 50-90%. It feeds on all plant parts including leaves, petioles, inflorescences of both sexes, and glandular trichomes, drastically reducing resin production. Control is notoriously difficult; the mite persists year-round in dry, warm habitats and complete eradication typically requires destroying all plants and sterilizing surfaces.
Aphanogmus
Aphanogmus is a genus of minute ceraphronid wasps erected by Thomson in 1858. The genus contains at least 90 described species distributed worldwide. Species are primarily parasitoids of Ichneumonoidea and Cecidomyiidae, with some functioning as hyperparasitoids through bethylid wasps. Several species have been documented emerging from hosts used in commercial biological control programs, where they may disrupt pest management efforts.
Aulacorthum solani
Foxglove aphid, Glasshouse-potato aphid
Aulacorthum solani is a globally distributed agricultural pest aphid with one of the broadest host ranges of any aphid species, feeding on both dicots and monocots. It is a phloem-feeding hemipteran that causes direct feeding damage including stunted growth, leaf discoloration, and deformation, and serves as a vector for plant viruses. The species exhibits temperature-dependent development and reproduction, with optimal performance between 12.5–20°C and survival possible from 5–27.5°C. Both winged and wingless morphs occur, with parthenogenesis used for colony maintenance in laboratory settings.
Bemisia argentifolii
Silverleaf whitefly, Sweetpotato whitefly (B biotype)
Bemisia argentifolii, described by Bellows & Perring in 1994, is a whitefly species belonging to the Bemisia tabaci species complex. It is a significant agricultural pest known for causing silverleafing symptoms in squash, transmitting plant viruses, and developing resistance to multiple insecticides. The species has been documented on over 900 host plants including vegetables, ornamentals, and fiber crops. It is frequently associated with greenhouse and protected cultivation environments but also occurs in open field agriculture in tropical and subtropical regions.
Berytidae
stilt bugs, thread bugs
Berytidae, commonly known as stilt bugs or thread bugs, is a family of true bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) characterized by exceptionally long, slender legs and elongated bodies. The family contains approximately 200 species worldwide, classified into three subfamilies: Berytinae, Gampsocorinae, and Metacanthinae. Members range from 3-10 mm in length and display coloration from brown to yellow. While most species are phytophagous, feeding on plant sap, some exhibit predatory behavior on small insects. Several species are economically significant as pests of cultivated crops, particularly tomatoes and tobacco, where feeding damage can cause flower abortion, fruit distortion, and unsalable produce.
Bradysia
darkwinged fungus gnats, indoor soil gnats
Bradysia is a large genus of sciarid fungus gnats comprising over 500 described species. The genus is best known for species that are major agricultural pests, particularly in greenhouse and indoor cultivation settings where larvae feed on plant roots and fungi. Several species, including B. cellarum, B. impatiens, and B. odoriphaga, have been extensively studied for their economic impact on liliaceous crops, edible fungi, and ornamental plants. The genus also includes species that function as pollinators of certain winter-flowering plants.
Callopistria floridensis
Florida Fern Moth, Florida Fern Caterpillar
Callopistria floridensis, commonly known as the Florida Fern Moth or Florida Fern Caterpillar, is a small noctuid moth with a wingspan of approximately 29 mm. The species is notable for its year-round adult activity in tropical and subtropical regions, with larvae that feed exclusively on ferns. It has gained scientific attention as the only known terrestrial animal capable of accumulating high levels of arsenic when feeding on the brake fern Pteris vittata. While primarily a native species across the Americas, it occasionally becomes a pest in greenhouses.
Diestrammena
Asian camel cricket, cave cricket, greenhouse camel cricket
Diestrammena is a genus of camel crickets (family Rhaphidophoridae) native to Asia, including Japan, China, and Southeast Asia. Several species have become invasive in North America, particularly in residential basements, garages, and caves. These wingless crickets are characterized by their humpbacked appearance, extraordinarily long antennae, and powerful jumping legs. Research has shown that Asian camel crickets now dominate indoor environments in many parts of the eastern United States, having largely displaced native camel cricket species.
camel-cricketcave-cricketinvasive-speciesbasement-pestAsiaNorth-Americacave-ecosystemscavengerwinglessautotomygut-microbiomekeystone-speciesDiestrammena-japanicaDiestrammena-asynamoraTachycines-asynamorusRhaphidophoridaeOrthopteranocturnalthigmotaxisurban-ecologycave-adaptationmorphological-plasticitycompetitive-displacementgreenhouse-pestfish-baitDuponchelia fovealis
European Pepper Moth
Duponchelia fovealis is a small moth in the family Crambidae, originally described from the Mediterranean region in 1847. It has undergone substantial range expansion and is now established across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas. The species is a significant agricultural pest, particularly in protected strawberry cultivation, where larval feeding causes damage to leaves and fruits. Its polyphagous nature and invasive potential have made it a focus of integrated pest management research, especially regarding biological control with Trichogramma parasitoids.
Echinothrips
Echinothrips is a genus of thrips in the family Thripidae containing approximately seven described species. The genus is best known through Echinothrips americanus, a polyphagous pest of greenhouse and agricultural crops that has spread globally from its native range in eastern North America. Species in this genus are phytophagous, feeding on leaves, flowers, and fruits by piercing and sucking plant cells. The genus exhibits haplo-diploid reproduction with arrhenotokous parthenogenesis, where unfertilized eggs produce haploid males and fertilized eggs produce diploid females.
Echinothrips americanus
Poinsettia thrips, Impatiens thrips, American thrips
Echinothrips americanus is a small thrips species in the family Thripidae, native to eastern North America and first described from Florida in 1913. It has become an invasive pest of global concern, spreading to Europe, Asia, Australia, and other regions since the 1990s. The species is highly polyphagous, feeding on foliage of at least 48 plant families, with particular preference for Araceae and Balsaminaceae. It is primarily a greenhouse and ornamental pest, causing chlorotic damage to leaves through piercing-sucking feeding.
Eucalymnatus tessellatus
Tessellated scale, Palm scale
Eucalymnatus tessellatus, commonly known as the tessellated scale or palm scale, is a soft scale insect (family Coccidae) native to South America. First described by Signoret in 1873 from specimens collected on a palm in France, this species has been disseminated worldwide through human activity on cultivated hosts. It is recognized as a pest in greenhouses, commercial nurseries, and landscapes—particularly in subtropical regions such as south Florida. The species belongs to a genus containing 17 species, most of which are neotropical in origin.
Frankliniella occidentalis
Western Flower Thrips, alfalfa thrips, California thrips
Frankliniella occidentalis, the western flower thrips, is a minute insect native to the southwestern United States that has become a globally significant agricultural pest. Adults measure approximately 1.5 mm in length. The species feeds on plant fluids by piercing and sucking, causing direct damage to hundreds of host species including tomatoes, grapes, strawberries, soybeans, and ornamentals. Its economic impact is compounded by its role as the principal vector of Tomato spotted wilt virus and other tospoviruses, which cause billions of dollars in annual crop losses worldwide. The species exhibits arrhenotokous parthenogenesis, where unfertilized females produce haploid males. It has demonstrated high resistance to pesticides and has spread to Europe, Australia, South America, Asia, and Africa through transport of infested plant material.
Hercinothrips
Hercinothrips is a genus of thrips in the family Thripidae, subfamily Panchaetothripinae, containing several economically significant pest species. The most widely documented species, H. femoralis (banded greenhouse thrips), is a pantropical invader that has established in greenhouses worldwide and feeds on a broad range of vegetables, fruits, and ornamental plants. Members of this genus are characterized by their small size, fringed wings, and piercing-sucking mouthparts that cause characteristic silvery streaking and discoloration on host foliage.
Hercinothrips femoralis
Banded Greenhouse Thrips
Hercinothrips femoralis is a pantropical thrips species and significant agricultural pest known as the banded greenhouse thrips. It infests a wide range of crops including bananas, cotton, pineapple, sugar beet, sugar cane, and ornamentals, causing characteristic silver streaking and discoloration of leaf tissue through its piercing-sucking feeding. The species exhibits remarkable phenotypic plasticity with a "phenotype explosion" phenomenon—multiple color morphs and forms that facilitate successful colonization of new regions. Under laboratory conditions at 25°C, it completes development from egg to adult in approximately 21 days with high fecundity (averaging 133 offspring per female), enabling rapid population growth in greenhouses.
Hexacola neoscatellae
Hexacola neoscatellae is a parasitoid wasp in the family Figitidae (subfamily Eucoilinae) known to attack shore flies. The species has been recorded as a parasitoid of Scatella stagnalis, a shore fly species associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic environments. Its first Canadian record was documented in the Great Lakes region, where it was identified as a potential biological control agent for managing shore fly populations in greenhouse and nursery settings.
Keiferia lycopersicella
Tomato Pinworm
Keiferia lycopersicella, the tomato pinworm, is a gelechiid moth and significant agricultural pest of Solanaceae crops. Native to warm regions of the Americas, it has expanded its range through greenhouse production and international trade. The species completes seven to eight generations annually in favorable climates. Larvae are leaf miners and fruit borers, causing direct damage to tomatoes, eggplants, and potatoes. Adults communicate via sex pheromones, with synthetic lures used for monitoring and management.
Liriomyza trifolii
American serpentine leafminer, celery leafminer
Liriomyza trifolii is a small leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, native to the Caribbean and southeastern United States. It has become a globally distributed invasive pest of greenhouse and vegetable crops, recognized as one of the three most damaging leafminer species worldwide. The species is highly polyphagous, feeding on numerous ornamental and vegetable plants including chrysanthemums, celery, and tomatoes. Its spread has been facilitated by insecticide resistance and international trade in plant material.
Neomyzus circumflexus
Crescent-marked lily aphid, Mottled arum aphid
Neomyzus circumflexus is a polyphagous aphid species known by two common names reflecting its association with lilies and arums. It is a significant greenhouse and ornamental pest, feeding on phloem sap and transmitting plant viruses. The species exhibits temperature-dependent immune responses to parasitoids and has been extensively studied for its nutritional physiology, including artificial diet requirements and symbiont dependencies.
Orthomorpha
Orthomorpha is a genus of flat-backed millipedes in the family Paradoxosomatidae, comprising approximately 50 species native to Southeast Asia. Adults possess 20 body segments and range from 15–50 mm in length, with prominent lateral keels (paranota) that often display bright coloration. The genus includes both endemic tropical species and at least one species, O. coarctata, that has been widely introduced by humans to tropical regions worldwide. Several species are commonly found in human-modified environments including greenhouses and heated buildings.
Oxidus gracilis
Greenhouse Millipede, Hothouse Millipede, Short-flange Millipede, Garden Millipede
Oxidus gracilis is a widely introduced millipede species in the family Paradoxosomatidae, native to Asia but established globally including North America, South America, Europe, and Pacific islands. It is commonly known as the greenhouse millipede due to its frequent occurrence in artificial environments. The species exhibits innate congregating behavior toward food resources and demonstrates generalist habitat use with no strong association to specific soil moisture, leaf litter, or rock cover conditions. It has been studied as a potential bioindicator for environmental pollution due to characteristic internal element composition.
Paradoxosomatidae
flat-backed millipedes
Paradoxosomatidae is the largest family of flat-backed millipedes, containing nearly 200 genera and approximately 975 species as of 2013. It is the sole family in the suborder Paradoxosomatidea. Members are distinguished by dorsal grooves on most body segments and a dumb-bell shaped gonopod aperture in males. The family includes notable groups such as the dragon millipedes of Southeast Asia and the widely introduced greenhouse millipede Oxidus gracilis.
Phorodon cannabis
Cannabis Aphid, Hemp Aphid
Phorodon cannabis is a monophagous aphid pest specialized on hemp (Cannabis sativa), causing significant damage in field and greenhouse cultivations. Native to Eurasia and North Africa, it was first detected in North America in 2016 and has since spread to multiple U.S. states and Canada. The species feeds on phloem sap, causing plant wilting, yellowing, and yield reduction, and transmits Cannabis Streak Virus. Optimal development occurs at 25°C, with mild abiotic stress paradoxically stimulating reproduction via hormesis.
Phytomyza syngenesiae
Chrysanthemum Leafminer, Ragwort Leaf Miner
Phytomyza syngenesiae is an agromyzid leaf-mining fly found in the Palaearctic region, Australia, and New Zealand. The larvae create internal leaf mines in members of the Asteraceae family, including chrysanthemums, ragwort (Senecio), and artichokes. The species is recognized as an agricultural pest in greenhouse and crop settings, with significant variation in host plant susceptibility among cultivars.
Planococcus citri
citrus mealybug
Planococcus citri, the citrus mealybug, is a highly polyphagous pest native to Asia that has established populations worldwide through human-mediated transport. Adult females are approximately 3 mm long, wingless, and covered in white wax with marginal filaments; males are slightly larger with functional wings. The species reproduces sexually with multiple generations per year, producing ovisacs containing up to 20 eggs. It feeds on phloem sap from over 200 host plant species across 82 families, causing direct damage through sap removal and indirect damage via honeydew secretion and sooty mold growth. It is also a known vector of Cacao swollen shoot virus. The species is difficult to distinguish morphologically from the vine mealybug (Planococcus ficus), requiring microscopic examination of pore and duct arrangements or molecular methods for accurate identification.
Platynota stultana
Omnivorous Leafroller, Omnivorous Leafroller Moth
Platynota stultana, the omnivorous leafroller, is a highly polyphagous tortricid moth native to northwestern Mexico and the southwestern United States. It has become an established invasive pest in Hawaii, Spain, Italy, and multiple other European countries. Adults are small with wingspans around 14 mm and are active year-round in warm climates. The species completes four to six generations annually in California and produces severe economic damage in vineyards, greenhouses, and nursery operations. Larval feeding on grape berries causes skin breakage that leads to fungal rot and crop losses up to 80%.
Polyphagotarsonemus latus
Broad Mite, Yellow Tea Mite, Citrus Silver Mite
Polyphagotarsonemus latus, commonly known as the broad mite, is a microscopic tarsonemid mite with a cosmopolitan distribution and an exceptionally broad host range spanning over 60 plant families. First described from mango in a Washington, D.C. greenhouse in 1904, it has become a significant agricultural pest affecting crops including cotton, soybean, peppers, strawberries, blackberries, citrus, tea, coffee, and increasingly, cannabis and hemp. The mite feeds on young, tender plant tissues, causing characteristic damage including leaf stunting, twisting, and distortion that resembles auxin herbicide injury. It thrives in greenhouse environments and tropical to subtropical climates, with development occurring between 10–36°C at high humidity. Management relies on acaricides and biological control using predatory mites such as Amblyseius swirskii, Neoseiulus californicus, and A. orientalis.
Pseudococcus longispinus
long-tailed mealybug, longtailed mealybug
Pseudococcus longispinus is a cosmopolitan mealybug pest in the family Pseudococcidae. It is distinguished by two long, waxy filaments extending from the posterior abdomen of adult females. The species is a significant agricultural and horticultural pest, particularly damaging to grapevines, citrus, orchids, and tropical fruits. It is a known vector of Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3), transmitting the virus only during the first instar crawler stage. The species has been observed to develop three generations annually in temperate regions, with complex dispersal patterns shifting from exposed foliage in early instars to protected bark and fruit clusters for reproduction.
Pycnoscelus surinamensis
Surinam cockroach, greenhouse cockroach
Pycnoscelus surinamensis is a burrowing cockroach endemic to the Indomalayan region that has become established in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Populations are almost exclusively female, reproducing parthenogenetically through multiple clonal strains. The species is a common plant pest that has been transported globally in soil of potted plants, establishing in greenhouses and other protected habitats. It completes its life cycle in approximately 135 days through four nymphal instars. The species serves as an intermediate host for the poultry parasite Oxyspirura mansoni and exhibits unique false ovoviviparous reproduction where females retain the ootheca internally for an extended period before deposition.
Rhopalosiphum rufiabdominale
rice root aphid, red rice root aphid
Rhopalosiphum rufiabdominale is a globally distributed root-feeding aphid pest with a remarkably broad host range spanning 22 plant families. Native to East Asia, it has established populations across every continent except Antarctica. The species exhibits a heteroecious holocyclic life cycle in its native range, alternating between Prunus species (primary hosts) and herbaceous plant roots (secondary hosts), though asexual reproduction dominates in temperate regions and protected cultivation. Its subterranean habit makes detection difficult and management challenging. The aphid vectors several economically important plant viruses including barley yellow dwarf virus and sugarcane yellow leaf virus, and has emerged as a significant pest of indoor-grown cannabis in North America.
Scatella stagnalis
shore fly
Scatella stagnalis is a small shore fly in the family Ephydridae. It has been documented in both natural coastal habitats and artificial greenhouse environments, where it develops in moist, algae-rich substrates. The species is known as a pest in greenhouse agriculture, particularly in rockwool cultivation systems. Its life cycle has been studied under controlled temperature conditions, with development from egg to adult taking 10–16 days depending on temperature.
Sciaridae
dark-winged fungus gnats, black fungus gnats
Sciaridae are a family of small, dark-colored flies commonly known as dark-winged fungus gnats. Adults range from 1–11 mm in length, typically under 5 mm. The family is among the least studied of the large Diptera families due to small size and taxonomic difficulty. Approximately 1,700 species are described globally, with an estimated 20,000 species awaiting discovery, primarily in tropical regions. Larvae develop in moist, decaying organic matter and play significant roles in decomposition and nutrient cycling.
Stenoptilodes antirrhina
snapdragon plume moth
Stenoptilodes antirrhina is a plume moth in the family Pterophoridae, commonly known as the snapdragon plume moth. It is native to California and has been introduced to greenhouses in the southeastern United States through transport of snapdragon cuttings. The larvae are leaf miners that feed internally within leaves of host plants in the Plantaginaceae family.
Sufetula diminutalis
Sufetula diminutalis is a small snout moth in the subfamily Lathrotelinae. It was described by Francis Walker in 1866 from Honduras and has since spread to Florida, the Caribbean, Central and South America, and more recently to Europe. The species is notable for its root-boring larvae that feed on palms.
Talitroides alluaudi
Alluaudi's landhopper
A terrestrial amphipod (landhopper) native to the Atlantic forests of southeastern Brazil, now distributed worldwide through synanthropic human-mediated dispersal. Found in leaf litter of tropical and subtropical forests, urban parks, greenhouses, and silviculture areas. Females dominate populations with a strongly female-biased sex ratio observed in field samples. Exhibits highly stereotyped grooming behavior for hygiene maintenance.
Tapinoma melanocephalum
Ghost ant
Tapinoma melanocephalum, commonly known as the ghost ant, is a minute ant species recognized by its distinctive bicolored appearance: dark brown head and thorax contrasting with pale, translucent legs, antennae, and gaster. Native to tropical regions of Africa and Asia, it has become a globally distributed "tramp" species through human commerce, establishing populations in greenhouses, heated buildings, and tropical urban environments worldwide. The species is considered a significant household pest, particularly in Florida and Hawaii, where it nests indoors and forages for sweet foods. Recent taxonomic revision has revealed that what was long considered T. melanocephalum actually comprises two cryptic species, with T. pithecorum described as new in 2020.
Tetranychus
spider mite
Tetranychus is a genus of spider mites (Family Tetranychidae) comprising over 140 described species, including some of the most economically destructive agricultural pests worldwide. The genus is characterized by haplodiploid reproduction, silk production, and rapid population growth under favorable conditions. Tetranychus urticae (two-spotted spider mite) is the most significant species, though T. evansi (tomato red spider mite) and T. ludeni have emerged as major invasive pests. These mites feed on plant cell contents, causing stippling damage, and are notoriously difficult to control due to their short generation times and ability to develop pesticide resistance.
Thripidae
Common Thrips
Thripidae is the most species-rich family of thrips, comprising over 290 genera and approximately 2,000 species. Members are characterized by derived morphological traits including a downward-curving saw-like ovipositor, narrow wings with two longitudinal veins, and antennae bearing six to ten antennomeres with stiletto-like forked sense cones on segments III and IV. The family is divided into four subfamilies: Thripinae (227 genera), Panchaetothripinae (38 genera), Dendrothripinae (16 genera), and Sericothripinae (11 genera). Many species are economically significant agricultural pests, with some exhibiting invasive characteristics.
Thrips
thrips
Thrips is a genus of minute insects in the order Thysanoptera, characterized by fringed wings and asymmetrical mouthparts. Members are typically 1 mm or less in length with slender, cigar-shaped bodies. The genus was established by Linnaeus in 1758 and is among the most economically significant thrips genera, containing species that are serious agricultural pests. Species-level identification is challenging due to morphological variability and reliance on slide-mounted specimens.
Trialeurodes
greenhouse whitefly, whitefly
Trialeurodes is a large genus of whiteflies in the family Aleyrodidae, containing economically significant agricultural pests. The genus includes species such as the greenhouse whitefly (T. vaporariorum) and the bandedwinged whitefly (T. abutiloneus), which infest hundreds of host plant species including vegetables, cotton, and ornamental plants. Members are tiny phloem-feeding insects, typically measuring 1–3 mm, with distinctive waxy wings and piercing-sucking mouthparts. Several species are subjects of intensive biological control research using parasitoid wasps.
Trialeurodes vaporariorum
Greenhouse Whitefly, Glasshouse Whitefly
Trialeurodes vaporariorum is a globally distributed pest of protected horticulture, frequently found in greenhouses and polytunnels. Adults are 1–2 mm with yellowish bodies and four wax-coated wings held parallel to the leaf surface. The species has a broad host range exceeding 300 plant species across multiple crop families. It causes economic damage through direct phloem feeding, honeydew excretion, and associated sooty mold growth. Population dynamics show seasonal peaks in late autumn, with densities reaching 5–7 adults plus nymphs per leaf in greenhouse broccoli systems.
Udea rubigalis
Celery Leaftier, Greenhouse Leaftier
Udea rubigalis is a small moth in the family Crambidae, commonly known as the celery leaftier or greenhouse leaftier. The species occurs throughout the Americas, from North America through Central and South America. Larvae are polyphagous and feed on a wide variety of plants across multiple families. Adults have been documented visiting apple flowers, where they may contribute to nocturnal pollination.
Xystrologa
Xystrologa is a genus of small moths in the family Tineidae, established by Meyrick in 1919. The genus contains seven described species distributed primarily in the West Indies. Xystrologa grenadella has been documented as an invasive pest of cultivated greenhouse plants in southern Florida, USA and Germany.