Pest-insects
Guides
Altica
Metallic Flea Beetles
Altica is a large genus of flea beetles comprising approximately 300 species distributed nearly worldwide. The genus name derives from Greek 'haltikós' meaning 'jumper,' referring to the adult beetles' ability to jump when disturbed. Species are small, metallic blue-green to bronze beetles that are morphologically similar and often distinguished only by male genitalia. Both larvae and adults are phytophagous, with most species showing strong host plant specificity. The genus is best represented in the Neotropical realm, with significant diversity in the Nearctic and Palearctic regions.
Dasychira
tussock moths
Dasychira is a genus of tussock moths in the family Erebidae, established by Jacob Hübner in 1809. The genus has a broad geographic distribution spanning Africa, Europe, North America, Madagascar, Japan, China, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Java, and Australia. Several species are economically significant as defoliating pests of cultivated plants including oil palm, tea, and black wattle, with some species capable of outbreak population dynamics. The genus is characterized by distinctive morphological features including porrect palpi with heavily haired second joints and sexually dimorphic antennae.
Vespula
yellowjackets, yellow jackets, Ground Yellowjackets
Vespula is a genus of social wasps in the family Vespidae, collectively known as yellowjackets in North America. The genus is distinguished from its sister genus Dolichovespula by a shorter oculomalar space and a stronger tendency to nest underground. Vespula species are widely distributed across the Northern Hemisphere, with most species native to North America and four species (V. austriaca, V. germanica, V. rufa, V. vulgaris) native to Europe. Several species have been introduced outside their native ranges, including V. germanica and V. vulgaris in New Zealand, Australia, South America, and Southern Africa.
Xyloperthini
horned powder-post beetles
Xyloperthini is a tribe of horned powder-post beetles in the family Bostrichidae, established by Lesne in 1921. The tribe comprises more than 30 genera and approximately 140 described species. Members are characterized by antennal club and pronotal morphology that distinguish them from related tribes. The tribe includes economically significant wood-boring genera such as Xylopertha, Xylothrips, and Calophagus.