Pest
Guides
Abagrotis cupida
Cupid dart, brown climbing cutworm
Abagrotis cupida is a noctuid moth found across southern Canada and the eastern United States. Adults have a wingspan of 33–35 mm and fly in late summer, with one generation per year. Larvae feed on woody plants including willow, apple, grape, and peach. The species is known by two common names reflecting different life stages: 'Cupid dart' for the adult moth and 'brown climbing cutworm' for the larva.
Acantholyda erythrocephala
red-headed pine sawfly, pine false webworm
Acantholyda erythrocephala is a sawfly in the family Pamphiliidae, native to Europe and introduced to North America in 1925, where it became an invasive pest of pine trees. The species is commonly known as the red-headed pine sawfly or pine false webworm. Its larvae construct distinctive silken tubes for feeding and shelter, causing defoliation of host trees. The species has been the target of biological control efforts using parasitoid flies and viral agents.
Achroia grisella
Lesser Wax Moth
Achroia grisella, the lesser wax moth, is a pyralid moth and pest of honey bee colonies worldwide. It is smaller and less destructive than the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella), primarily infesting weak or abandoned honey bee colonies where larvae feed on beeswax, pollen, honey, and brood cappings. The species has a worldwide distribution in temperate and tropical regions where honey bees are kept, and its spread has been facilitated by human-mediated transport of beekeeping equipment. Adults are small grayish moths with distinctive yellow heads. The species is notable for its unusually simple directional ear, which enables acoustic localization for both predator avoidance and mate finding.
Achyra rantalis
garden webworm, Garden Webworm Moth
Achyra rantalis is a crambid moth commonly known as the garden webworm. The species occurs across much of North America and has been recorded at blacklighting displays during moth surveys. Larvae feed on foliage of various low-growing plants and are occasionally reported as pests in agricultural settings. Adults have a wingspan of 17–23 mm.
Acleris comariana
strawberry tortrix
Acleris comariana, the strawberry tortrix, is a tortricid moth and significant agricultural pest of cultivated strawberries. Adults have two annual flight periods in summer and autumn. Larval feeding on flowers and leaves causes direct crop damage, including deformed or aborted berries. The species is difficult to distinguish from Acleris laterana without genitalic examination.
Acrididae
Short-horned Grasshoppers, Grasshoppers
Acrididae is the largest family of grasshoppers, comprising approximately 6,700–10,000 species within the suborder Caelifera. Members are characterized by short, stout antennae and auditory tympana located on the first abdominal segment. The family includes all locust species capable of forming destructive swarms, making it economically significant worldwide. Recent molecular phylogenetic studies indicate the family originated in South America during the Paleocene, approximately 59 million years ago, rather than Africa as previously believed.
Acrobasis
Acrobasis is a genus of small moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae. Species in this genus are primarily known as pests of nut and fruit crops, with several economically significant species including the pecan nut casebearer (A. nuxvorella) and species affecting chokeberry, walnut, and hickory. Larvae typically bore into developing nuts or fruits, causing direct damage to yield. The genus has a Holarctic distribution with records from North America and Europe.
Acrobasis caryivorella
pecan nursery casemaker
Acrobasis caryivorella, known as the pecan nursery casemaker, is a snout moth in the family Pyralidae described by Ragonot in 1887. It is a pest of pecan and walnut trees, with larvae that bore into new growth and developing nuts. The species has two to four generations per year and overwinters in the larval stage. It occurs in southeastern Ontario, Canada, and the eastern United States.
Acrobasis demotella
Walnut Shoot Moth
Acrobasis demotella, the walnut shoot moth, is a small pyralid moth described by Grote in 1881. Its larvae feed on Juglans (walnut) and Carya (hickory/pecan) species, making it a pest of nut-producing trees. The species occurs across eastern and central North America. It is one of several Acrobasis species associated with hardwood trees in the walnut family.
Acrobasis juglandis
Pecan Leaf Casebearer, Pecan Leaf Casebearer Moth
Acrobasis juglandis is a small pyralid moth commonly known as the pecan leaf casebearer. The species is a significant pest of pecan and walnut trees, with larvae feeding on foliage and nutlets of host plants in the genus Carya and Juglans. Its common name derives from the larval habit of constructing protective cases from leaf material. The species is native to North America and has been documented from Ontario south to Florida and west to New Mexico.
Acrobasis vaccinii
cranberry fruitworm, Cranberry Fruitworm Moth
Acrobasis vaccinii is a small pyralid moth whose larvae are significant pests of cultivated blueberries and cranberries. Adults emerge after bloom and fruit set, with females depositing eggs on unripe berries. Larvae feed internally on berry contents, consuming up to eight fruits to complete development. The species has one generation per year and overwinters as full-grown larvae in cocoons.
Acyrthosiphon
pea aphids
Acyrthosiphon is a genus of aphids in the family Aphididae, established by Alexander Mordvilko in 1914. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution and includes several economically important agricultural pests. The best-known species, Acyrthosiphon pisum (pea aphid), is a major pest of legume crops and serves as a model organism for studies of insect-bacteria symbiosis, particularly its relationship with the obligate endosymbiont Buchnera aphidicola.
Acyrthosiphon pisum
Pea aphid, green dolphin, pea louse, clover louse
Acyrthosiphon pisum, the pea aphid, is a sap-sucking hemipteran and major agricultural pest of legume crops worldwide. It is notable as the first hemimetabolous insect with a fully sequenced genome and serves as a model organism for studying aphid biology, endosymbiosis, polyphenism, and asexual reproduction. The species exhibits complex polyphenism with multiple morphs including winged and wingless parthenogenetic females, sexual males and females, and green or red/pink color morphs. Its survival depends entirely on the obligate endosymbiont Buchnera aphidicola, which provides essential amino acids lacking in its phloem sap diet.
Adelges cooleyi
Cooley spruce gall adelgid, Douglas fir adelgid, gall adelgid
Adelges cooleyi is a gall-forming adelgid native to western North America, specifically the Rocky Mountains and Cascade Mountains. It is a host-alternating species with a complex life cycle involving two primary hosts: spruce (Picea) species as primary hosts and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) as the secondary host. On spruce, the adelgid induces the formation of distinctive pineapple-shaped galls at branch terminals. On Douglas fir, it produces white, cottony wax masses containing eggs but causes less conspicuous injury. The species has two generations per year and exhibits morphological dimorphism: progredientes migrate to current-year needles while sistentes settle on older needles.
Aeropedellus clavatus
Club-horned Grasshopper, Clubhorned Grasshopper, Slant-faced Grasshopper
Aeropedellus clavatus, commonly known as the club-horned grasshopper, is a medium-sized slant-faced grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is distinguished by its club-shaped antennae, with the last six segments enlarged and darker than the rest. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism: females are flightless with short wings, while males may have either short or long wings, with long-winged males capable of flight. It is one of the earliest-hatching grasshoppers in its range, emerging in early spring and completing development rapidly. Populations are most abundant in the Canadian prairies, where it is the most widely distributed grassland grasshopper species.
Aetalion
Aetalion is a genus of treehoppers (family Aetalionidae) comprising 25 described species. Members of this genus are distributed across the New World tropics and are characterized by their lack of the enlarged pronotal processes typical of the more diverse Membracidae. The genus includes economically significant species such as A. reticulatum, which has been documented as a pest of various agricultural and forest crops.
Aetalionidae
Aetalionid Treehoppers
Aetalionidae is a family of treehoppers in the superfamily Membracoidea, distinguished from the more diverse Membracidae by morphological features including a front femur fused to the trochanter and a completely exposed scutellum. The family is predominantly Neotropical in distribution, with two recognized subfamilies: Biturritiinae (exclusively Neotropical) and Aetalioninae (containing the Neotropical genus Aetalion and the Paleotropical genus Darthula). Females exhibit maternal care by guarding egg masses, and many species form aggregations on tree branches where they produce honeydew and associate with ants and stingless bees.
Agrilus anxius
bronze birch borer
Agrilus anxius, the bronze birch borer, is a wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae native to North America. It is a significant pest of birch trees (Betula spp.), with larvae tunneling through the cambial layer and frequently killing host trees. River birch (Betula nigra) shows the greatest resistance among native North American birches, while European and Asian birch species lack resistance entirely. The species is closely related to the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) and has been the subject of taxonomic confusion, with historical reports conflating birch-feeding and poplar-feeding populations that were later recognized as distinct species.
Agrilus cuprescens
Rose Stem Girdler, Bronze Cane Borer
Agrilus cuprescens is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, commonly known as the rose stem girdler or bronze cane borer. Native to the Palearctic region, it has been introduced to North America where it has been documented as far west as Washington State. The species is associated with Rosa species and related Rosaceae as larval hosts, with larvae developing in stems and exhibiting girdling behavior. It serves as host for the parasitoid wasp Baryscapus rugglesi.
Agrilus difficilis
honeylocust agrilus, honey locust borer
Agrilus difficilis is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, commonly known as the honeylocust agrilus or honey locust borer. It is associated almost exclusively with honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) as its larval host. Unlike most Agrilus species that develop in dead wood, A. difficilis attacks living trees, particularly stressed or ornamental specimens, and has become a significant pest of landscape honey locusts in the eastern United States. The species is relatively large for the genus and readily distinguished by its coppery coloration with purple luster and distinctive lateral white pubescent patches.
Agrilus pseudocoryli
hazel stem borer
Agrilus pseudocoryli is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, commonly known as the hazel stem borer. It develops within stems of hazelnut plants (Corylus spp.), where larval tunneling causes dieback. The species has been documented as a pest of hybrid hazelnut cultivars in the Great Lakes region, with damage severity varying by cultivar. Adult activity occurs from early June to mid-July.
Agrilus sinuatus
sinuate peartree borer, hawthorn jewel beetle
Agrilus sinuatus is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, native to Europe and Northern Asia (excluding China) with introduced or established populations in North America. The species has emerged as a significant pest of rosaceous trees in European orchards and nurseries, particularly pear, quince, and hawthorn. It was historically an occasional pest in the 19th century, became rare during the broad-spectrum insecticide era, then resurged dramatically from 1992–1997 in Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium, with a major population explosion recorded in Hungary in 2019 causing 40–50% tree mortality in a quince orchard. The species exhibits a two-year life cycle with thermophilic tendencies, showing increased population growth following hot summers.
Agromyza aristata
elm agromyzid leafminer
Agromyza aristata is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, commonly known as the elm agromyzid leafminer. The species creates serpentine leaf mines in elm leaves and shows a strong preference for American elm (Ulmus americana) over Asian elms and hybrids. It is widespread throughout eastern North America and has been documented as a pest in urban landscape settings.
Agrotis malefida
Rascal Dart, Palesided Cutworm
Agrotis malefida, commonly known as the rascal dart or palesided cutworm, is a noctuid moth species distributed across the southern United States and throughout the Neotropics from Mexico to Argentina and Chile. The species exhibits notable seasonal variation in adult emergence, appearing in late January in northern portions of its range while flying year-round in southern regions. Larvae are significant agricultural pests, feeding on a broad range of broad-leaved herbaceous plants and causing damage to major crops including corn, cotton, and various vegetables.
Aleurodicus
whiteflies, spiraling whiteflies, rugose spiraling whitefly (for A. rugioperculatus), giant whitefly (for A. dugesii)
Aleurodicus is a genus of whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) comprising at least 30 described species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Several species are significant agricultural and ornamental pests, including the invasive rugose spiraling whitefly (A. rugioperculatus) and the spiraling whitefly (A. dispersus). The genus is characterized by distinctive wax-producing capabilities and puparial morphology used extensively in taxonomic identification.
Aleurodicus dugesii
giant whitefly, spiralling whitefly
Aleurodicus dugesii, commonly known as the giant whitefly, is a polyphagous pest of horticultural crops native to the Americas and invasive in Asia. It produces distinctive long wax filaments during the nymph stage that resemble a beard. Population densities can exceed 1,900 individuals per leaf on preferred hosts, causing severe defoliation and plant damage. The species serves as host for several introduced parasitoids used in biological control programs.
Aleurothrixus
woolly whiteflies
Aleurothrixus is a genus of whiteflies (family Aleyrodidae) containing approximately 20 described species. The most economically significant species is A. floccosus (woolly whitefly), a major pest of citrus and other crops across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Several species in the genus have been documented as agricultural pests, with extensive research focused on their biological control using parasitoid wasps.
Aleurotrachelus
Aleurotrachelus is a genus of whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) established by Quaintance & Baker in 1914. Several species are economically significant agricultural pests. Aleurotrachelus socialis is a major pest of cassava in South America, causing yield losses up to 79% through direct feeding and sooty mold promotion. Aleurotrachelus trachoides, known as the solanum or pepper whitefly, attacks Solanaceae crops including tomato, eggplant, chili, and sweet potato across tropical and subtropical regions. Aleurotrachelus atratus infests palms, particularly coconut, and has spread to islands in the southwestern Indian Ocean. Species in this genus are characterized by distinct puparial morphology used in taxonomic identification.
Algarobius bottimeri
Kiawe Bean Weevil, Bottimer's Texas Bruchid
Algarobius bottimeri is a small seed-feeding beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Bruchinae. Commonly called the kiawe bean weevil or Bottimer's Texas bruchid, it is associated with legume seeds, particularly those of mesquite and related plants in the genus Prosopis. The species has been documented across Central America, North America, and Oceania, likely facilitated by human transport of host plant seeds. Like other bruchine beetles, its larvae develop inside seeds.
Amblycerus
pea and bean weevils, seed beetles
Amblycerus is the second most diverse genus of seed beetles in the Americas, containing over 60 described species. These bruchid beetles are specialized seed predators, with larvae developing inside seeds of various host plants. The genus exhibits complex evolutionary patterns of host plant association, having radiated from an ancestral association with Fabaceae into at least 12 other plant families including Sterculiaceae, Boraginaceae, and Humiriaceae. Species-level identification requires examination of male genitalia and pygidial morphology.
Ametastegia glabrata
Dock Sawfly, Dock False-worm
Ametastegia glabrata, commonly known as the dock sawfly or dock false-worm, is a tenthredinid sawfly native to the Palearctic region. The species has been introduced to Australia, where it was first recorded in Victoria attacking raspberries. It is associated with Rumex species (dock and sorrel) as host plants.
Amorbia
leafroller moths
Amorbia is a New World genus of tortricid moths containing approximately 29 species distributed from Brazil through Central America, the Caribbean, Mexico, and into the United States and Canada. Larvae of at least some species are known leafrollers that feed on host plants including blackberry (Rubus). The genus has been subject to systematic revision, with eight informal species groups proposed based on morphological characters. Several species are of economic concern as pests of Rubus crops in Mexico.
Amphicerus bicaudatus
Apple Twig Borer, Grape Cane Borer
Amphicerus bicaudatus is a horned powder-post beetle in the family Bostrichidae, commonly known as the apple twig borer or grape cane borer. It is recognized as a pest of cultivated orchard trees, grapevines, and other woody plants. The species has been studied for its complex population dynamics, with research showing periodic, quasiperiodic, and chaotic patterns depending on environmental and management factors.
Amphion
nessus sphinxes
Amphion is a genus of sphinx moths (family Sphingidae) established by Hübner in 1819. The genus includes the Nessus Sphinx moth (Amphion floridensis), a widespread North American species known for its diurnal flight behavior and wasp-mimicking appearance. The genus name derives from Greek mythology, shared with several mythological figures including the builder of Thebes.
Amphitornus coloradus
striped slant-face grasshopper, striped grasshopper
Amphitornus coloradus is a medium-sized slant-faced grasshopper distributed across western North American grasslands. It is a significant pest of rangeland, feeding almost exclusively on grasses and sedges. The species is characterized by distinctive chocolate brown stripes running above the compound eyes and onto the pronotum. It is an early-hatching species with strong flight capabilities, though it rarely achieves dominant population status in grasshopper assemblages.
Amyelois transitella
Navel Orangeworm, Navel Orangeworm Moth
The navel orangeworm moth (Amyelois transitella) is a pyralid moth native to the tropical western Hemisphere and southwestern United States. First described from Arizona in 1899, its abundance in California increased dramatically during the first half of the 20th century. It is now the most serious insect pest of almonds and pistachios in California, with larvae feeding directly on nuts and adults capable of introducing fungi that produce aflatoxins. The species has been extensively studied for its chemical ecology, particularly its sex pheromone system, which has enabled practical mating disruption programs in agricultural fields.
Anabrus simplex
Mormon Cricket
Anabrus simplex, commonly known as the Mormon cricket, is a large flightless shieldbacked katydid (family Tettigoniidae, subfamily Decticinae) native to western North America. Despite its common name, it is not a true cricket. The species is notable for its periodic outbreak populations that form large migratory bands, causing significant damage to rangeland forage and cultivated crops. It exhibits a sex-role reversed mating system where males provide nuptial gifts and females compete for mates. The species has been documented from low-elevation sagebrush steppe to alpine tundra above 11,000 feet.
Anacridium
tree locusts, bird grasshoppers
Anacridium is a genus of large grasshoppers commonly known as tree locusts or bird grasshoppers, placed in the subfamily Cyrtacanthacridinae. The genus contains approximately 13 described species distributed across Africa, the Middle East, and parts of southern Europe and Asia. Anacridium aegyptium, the Egyptian grasshopper, serves as the type species and is among the most studied members of the genus. Species in this genus are associated with woody vegetation and have been documented as occasional pests of trees and agricultural crops.
Anastrepha
fruit flies, tephritid fruit flies
Anastrepha is a highly diverse genus of tephritid fruit flies native to the American tropics and subtropics, comprising over 300 described species. The genus includes nine major agricultural pest species that inflict substantial damage on commercial fruit crops including citrus, mango, guava, and papaya. Species exhibit variation in oviposition behavior, with females depositing eggs in developing fruit, mature fruit, or seeds depending on the species. The genus has been reorganized taxonomically to include species formerly placed in Toxotrypana, and contains notable cryptic species complexes such as the Anastrepha fraterculus group.
Anastrepha suspensa
Caribbean fruit fly, Greater Antillean fruit fly, guava fruit fly, Caribfly
Anastrepha suspensa is a tephritid fruit fly native to the Caribbean region and now established in Florida. Adults are 11–14 mm long with yellow-orange-brown coloration and distinctive wing venation patterns. The species is a significant agricultural pest, infesting over 100 host plants with particular preference for guava, Cayenne cherry, and citrus. Females possess a serrated ovipositor for cutting into fruit to deposit eggs. Mating occurs through lek formation on host fruit, with males establishing territories and producing acoustic signals through wing vibrations.
Anatrachyntis badia
Florida Pink Scavenger
A small scavenger moth with a 9–10 mm wingspan, native to the southern United States and introduced to Europe and Hawaii. Larvae feed on decaying plant material, dried fruit, and sooty mold, occasionally causing superficial damage to citrus rinds. First described by Ronald W. Hodges in 1962.
Ancylis
Ancylis is a genus of tortricid moths in the subfamily Olethreutinae, tribe Enarmoniini. Species are commonly known as leafrollers or leaf folders, with larvae that construct silk shelters by folding or rolling host plant leaves. The genus has a Holarctic distribution with some species also recorded from the Oriental region and South America. Several species are economically significant agricultural pests, including the strawberry leafroller (A. comptana) and the jujube leafroller (A. sativa). Taxonomic revision using DNA barcoding has clarified species boundaries, revealing that presumed Holarctic distributions were often due to misidentification.
Ancylis apicana
Raspberry Leaffolder Moth
Ancylis apicana, commonly known as the Raspberry Leaffolder Moth, is a small tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae. The species is distributed across central and western Canada and the northern United States. Larvae are associated with Rubus species, particularly raspberry, where they fold leaves and feed within. Adults are active during the summer months.
Anisandrus dispar
European Shothole Borer
Anisandrus dispar is an ambrosia beetle in the family Curculionidae, commonly known as the European Shothole Borer. It is an economically significant pest in fruit orchards, particularly apple cultivation. The species exhibits a distinct seasonal flight pattern, with females conducting most flight activity from February through May. It maintains an obligate symbiotic relationship with the fungus Ambrosiella hartigii, which it cultivates in gallery systems within host wood.
Anobiinae
Death-watch Beetles
Anobiinae is a subfamily of beetles in the family Ptinidae, commonly known as death-watch beetles. The subfamily contains at least 45 genera and includes species whose larvae bore into wood, earning them the name "woodworm" or "wood borer." Several species are economically significant pests, notably the common furniture beetle (Anobium punctatum), which damages wooden furniture and structural timbers. The subfamily has a cosmopolitan distribution with members native to multiple zoogeographical regions.
Anobiini
death-watch beetles
Anobiini is a tribe of beetles within the family Ptinidae, commonly known as death-watch beetles. The tribe contains at least 6 genera and approximately 20 described species. Members of this tribe are wood-boring beetles known for their association with timber and wooden structures. The common name "death-watch" derives from the tapping sounds produced by some species, historically associated with superstitions about impending death.
Anobium punctatum
Common furniture beetle, Common house borer, House borer
Anobium punctatum is a woodboring beetle commonly known as the furniture beetle or house borer. Adults are small beetles measuring 2.7–4.5 mm with brown, ellipsoidal bodies and a distinctive prothorax resembling a monk's cowl. The species has a documented annual emergence pattern in December in some populations, with females laying an average of 54.8 eggs after a short preoviposition period. Larvae bore into and feed upon wood, making this species a significant pest of wooden structures and furniture.
Anthonomini
Anthonomini is a tribe of weevils within the subfamily Curculioninae, comprising approximately 40 genera including Anthonomus, the type genus. Members are primarily herbivorous weevils, with many species exhibiting specific host plant associations. The tribe includes economically significant pests such as the boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis) and several species associated with Malvaceae, Rosaceae, and other plant families. Species are distributed across multiple continents, with documented occurrences in the Neotropics, Nearctic, Palearctic, and Oriental regions.
Anthonomus eugenii
Pepper Weevil
Anthonomus eugenii, the pepper weevil, is a small curculionid beetle and major agricultural pest of cultivated peppers (Capsicum spp.). Native to Mexico, it has spread throughout Central America, the Caribbean, the southern United States, and has been intercepted in more northern regions including Canada and Europe through imported infested fruit. The species completes its entire immature development within pepper fruits, making it particularly difficult to control with conventional insecticides. Females exhibit host-marking behavior, depositing pheromones that deter subsequent oviposition by conspecifics.
Anthonomus grandis
Cotton Boll Weevil, Boll Weevil
Anthonomus grandis, the cotton boll weevil, is a beetle in the family Curculionidae and a historically destructive pest of cotton (Gossypium spp.). Native to Central America, it spread into the United States in the late 19th century and infested all U.S. cotton-growing regions by the 1920s, causing severe economic damage to the cotton industry. Extensive eradication programs have eliminated populations from most of the United States, though persistent populations remain in extreme South Texas and northern Mexico that threaten reinfestation of adjoining areas. The species also remains a critical pest in South America.