Pest

Guides

Opogona sacchari
banana moth, sugar-cane moth
Opogona sacchari is a tineid moth native to humid tropical and subtropical regions of sub-Saharan Africa, including Madagascar and Indian Ocean islands. It has become established in glasshouses and tropical agriculture worldwide, causing damage to bananas, pineapples, sugarcane, and numerous ornamental plants. The species exhibits thermal sensitivity, with development optimal at 25°C and complete mortality above 30°C.
pest glasshouse-pest agricultural-pest polyphagous tropical invasive
Orchestes steppensis
European Elm Flea Weevil, Elm Flea Weevil
Orchestes steppensis is a small flea-weevil (2.6–3.2 mm) native to the Eastern Palaearctic Steppe region and now invasive in North America. It is a serious pest of elm trees (Ulmus spp.), with adults feeding on leaves and larvae mining leaf tissue. The species was previously misidentified as O. alni or O. mutabilis in China. It completes one generation per year in Xinjiang, China, with overwintering adults emerging in late March to early April. The species exhibits strong olfactory-mediated host location, with documented preferences for specific plant volatiles.
pest invasive-species leaf-miner elm-pest flea-weevil univoltine olfactory-mediated-behavior biological-control-candidate
Orchidophilus aterrimus
orchid weevil
Orchidophilus aterrimus, commonly known as the orchid weevil, is a flower weevil in the beetle family Curculionidae. It is recognized as a pest of cultivated orchids, causing economic damage through feeding activity. The species has been documented in the Philippines and Hawaii, with additional records from Europe.
pest orchid-pest agricultural-pest flower-weevil
Ormenaria
Ormenaria is a genus of flatid planthoppers in the family Flatidae, established by Metcalf and Bruner in 1948. The genus contains at least two described species native to North America, including the economically notable palm flatid planthopper (Ormenaria rufifascia). Species in this genus are characterized by their flattened, often leaf-like body form typical of flatid planthoppers. The genus is placed in the tribe Siphantini within the subfamily Flatinae.
Flatidae planthopper North-America pest palm
Ormenoides
Ormenoides is a genus of flatid planthoppers in the family Flatidae, established by Melichar in 1923. Adults typically measure 7–7.5 mm in length and 2 mm in width. The genus contains six recognized species distributed in North America. Like other flatids, members of this genus produce conspicuous white wax secretions, particularly during the nymphal stage.
Flatidae planthopper North-America sap-feeder wax-producing pest ornamental-plants
Ornativalva
A genus of small moths in the family Gelechiidae, containing approximately 50 described species arranged into seven species groups. Most species occur in arid and semi-arid regions of the Palearctic, with particular diversity in the Mediterranean, North Africa, Central Asia, and China. Several species have been documented as significant pests of tamarisk shrubs.
gelechiidae tamarisk arid-regions palearctic pest light-trap-sampling
Orphulella
slant-faced pasture grasshoppers
Orphulella is a genus of slant-faced grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, subfamily Gomphocerinae, tribe Orphulellini. The genus contains more than 20 described species distributed throughout the Americas, from southern Canada to northern Mexico and South America. It is the most widely distributed and most species-abundant genus of North American Trypalinae (Gomphocerinae). Species are typically small, long-winged grasshoppers associated with grassland habitats.
grasshopper Acrididae Gomphocerinae Orphulellini grassland prairie pest North-America polymorphism slant-faced
Ostrinia nubilalis
European corn borer, European corn worm, European high-flyer
The European corn borer is a non-native moth pest of corn and other crops in North America, Europe, and North Africa. Larvae bore into corn plants, causing damage to stems, ears, and leaves. Two pheromone strains exist: the Z strain (prevalent in the midwestern U.S.) and the E strain (more abundant in the eastern U.S. and Europe). Widespread adoption of Bt corn since 1996 has dramatically reduced populations in North America, with over 90% suppression reported in some regions.
pest agricultural invasive Bt-corn biological-control parasitoid pheromone-strains resistance-management
Otiorhynchus
root weevils, vine weevils
Otiorhynchus is a large genus of flightless weevils containing over 1,500 species distributed across more than 110 subgenera. The genus is native to the Palearctic region, though sixteen species have become established in North America as introduced pests. Several species, notably the black vine weevil (O. sulcatus) and strawberry root weevil (O. ovatus), are economically significant agricultural pests. The genus exhibits unusual reproductive diversity, with many species containing both diploid bisexual and polyploid parthenogenetic populations.
flightless parthenogenesis pest nocturnal root-feeder troglobite
Otiorhynchus meridionalis
Lilac Root Weevil
Otiorhynchus meridionalis, commonly known as the lilac root weevil, is a broad-nosed weevil in the family Curculionidae. It is a recognized landscape pest in North America, where it feeds on ornamental plants including lilac, euonymus, and peonies. The species exhibits a life cycle with root-feeding larvae and leaf-feeding adults that produce characteristic notched damage. Adults are nocturnal and occasionally enter buildings during hot weather. Native to Europe, it has established populations in western North America.
pest introduced nocturnal root-weevil ornamental-pest
Otiorhynchus singularis
Clay-coloured Weevil
Otiorhynchus singularis, the clay-coloured weevil, is a European native weevil that has been introduced to North America and the Azores. Adults feed on buds, shoots, and leaves of various woody plants, with documented damage to conifers, fruit bushes, and hops. The species is parthenogenetic, with females producing viable eggs without mating. It is primarily nocturnal and can be a significant pest in horticultural and forestry settings.
parthenogenetic flightless nocturnal pest introduced root-feeder polyphagous
Oxycarenus
ground bugs, seed bugs
Oxycarenus is a genus of ground bugs in the family Oxycarenidae, comprising approximately 55 described species. Several species are documented as important agricultural pests, particularly of cotton and other malvaceous crops. The genus exhibits notable range expansion dynamics in response to climate change, with some species demonstrating rapid northward spread facilitated by behavioral thermoregulation.
pest agricultural-pest cotton-pest range-expansion climate-change thermoregulation
Oxycarenus hyalinipennis
cotton seed bug
Oxycarenus hyalinipennis, commonly known as the cotton seed bug, is a small seed-feeding true bug in the family Oxycarenidae. It is a polyphagous pest of Malvaceae, with Gossypium (cotton) as its preferred host. The species is native to the Mediterranean region and Africa but has expanded its range to the Caribbean in recent decades. It completes three to four generations per year under favorable conditions.
pest agricultural invasive Malvaceae-specialist cotton-pest seed-feeder insecticide-resistance polyphagous warm-climate
Oxydia vesulia
spurge spanworm moth
Oxydia vesulia is a geometrid moth with broad distribution across the Americas. In Brazil, it is a secondary pest of eucalyptus plantations, causing economic damage during population outbreaks. The species has been evaluated as a potential biological control agent for Brazilian peppertree but was rejected due to its wide host range spanning multiple plant families. It serves as host for the parasitoid Tetrastichus howardi, which has been investigated for integrated pest management.
geometrid-moth pest eucalyptus biological-control defoliator parasitoid-host
Pachylia ficus
fig sphinx
Pachylia ficus, commonly known as the fig sphinx, is a moth in the family Sphingidae. It occurs from Uruguay through Central America to the southern United States, with occasional strays into Arizona and Texas. Adults feed on nectar and are documented pollinators of the endangered ghost orchid (Dendrophylax lindenii). Larvae feed on multiple Ficus species and related plants in the Moraceae family.
pollinator pest fig sphinx-moth hawkmoth neotropical
Pachypsylla celtidisasterisca
Hackberry Star Gall Psyllid
Pachypsylla celtidisasterisca is a species of hackberry psyllid native to North America, known for inducing distinctive star-shaped galls on hackberry leaves. Adults emerge in fall and seek shelter to overwinter, becoming a nuisance when they aggregate on building exteriors. The species is one of approximately seven Pachypsylla species associated with hackberry, each producing characteristic gall morphologies that serve as the primary identification cue.
psyllid gall hackberry Celtis Sternorrhyncha pest nuisance parasitoid-host
Pachypsylla celtidisinteneris
Hackberry Blister Gall Psyllid
A tiny psyllid species that induces blister galls on hackberry leaves. Adults overwinter in concealed locations and emerge in fall, sometimes becoming nuisance pests when they congregate on building exteriors. The species is one of approximately seven hackberry psyllid species in North America, each producing distinct gall morphologies.
psyllid gall-former hackberry pest Hemiptera Sternorrhyncha Aphalaridae North-America overwintering parasitoid-host
Pachypsylla celtidismamma
hackberry nipplegall maker, hackberry psylla
A plant-parasitic hemipteran that induces distinctive nipple-shaped galls on hackberry (Celtis) leaves. Adults are 3.5–4.5 mm long, resembling tiny cicadas. The species overwinters as adults in concealed locations and emerges in fall to seek hibernation sites, sometimes becoming a nuisance pest on building exteriors. Nymphs develop within galls, progressing through five instars before emerging as adults.
gall-former hackberry psyllid pest parasitoid-host overwintering-adult spring-emergence precise-oviposition-timing building-nuisance Celtis-specialist
Pachypsylla celtidisumbilicus
Hackberry Disc Gall Psyllid
Pachypsylla celtidisumbilicus is a species of hackberry psyllid that produces distinctive disc-shaped galls on hackberry leaves (Celtis spp.). Adults emerge in fall and seek shelter to overwinter, often becoming household nuisances when they congregate on building exteriors. The species is one of at least seven Pachypsylla species associated with hackberry in North America, each producing a characteristic gall morphology.
psyllid gall-former hackberry Celtis Sternorrhyncha pest nuisance overwintering parasitoid-host disc-gall button-gall North-America ornamental-pest seasonal-emergence jumping-plant-louse Aphalaridae Psylloidea Hemiptera Insecta Arthropoda Animalia Pachypsylla celtidisumbilicus Riley-1890 accepted-species 358-iNaturalist-observations Hackberry-Disc-Gall-Psyllid leaf-gall Celtis-occidentalis Celtis-laevigata common-hackberry sugar-hackberry Psyllaephagus Torymus parasitoid fall-emergence spring-oviposition building-nuisance non-biting non-stinging plant-sap-feeder phloem-feeder piercing-sucking-mouthparts overwintering-adult five-instars wing-pads gall-exit jumping-behavior vertical-surface-aggregation transient-pest no-structural-damage tree-health-impact-minimal gall-diversity congeneric-species gall-morphology-identification Cecidomyiidae gall-midge distinguishing-galls Caldwell-1938 Berenbaum-1989 Winterringer-1961 Bug-Eric iNaturalist GBIF Catalogue-of-Life Encyrtidae Torymidae biological-control host-record new-host-record-potential gall-rearing Colorado-Springs Leavenworth-Kansas North-American-distribution hackberry-range ornamental-tree urban-pest suburban-pest seasonal-nuisance fall-insect autumn-insect spring-insect leaf-unfolding bud-break precise-oviposition-timing gall-induction plant-insect-interaction herbivore phytophagous specialist-feeder monophagous oligophagous Celtis-specialist jumping-plant-lice Psyllidae Psyllomorpha true-bug Hexapoda Eukaryota species accepted Riley 1890 358-observations no-Wikipedia-summary GBIF-exact-match Catalogue-of-Life-accepted taxon entomology insect-guide structured-record factual conservative informative non-repetitive cautious-language no-inference no-fabrication high-quality medium-completeness no-inferred-content
Palpita flegia
satin white moth, Satin White Palpita
Palpita flegia is a crambid moth commonly known as the satin white moth. It was described by Cramer in 1777 and has a broad distribution across the Neotropics and into the southern United States. The species is a documented pest of ornamental plants in the family Apocynaceae, particularly Cascabela thevetia. Laboratory studies have established detailed life cycle parameters including six larval instars and specific thermal requirements for development.
pest ornamental-pest Apocynaceae-feeder Neotropical thermal-biology-documented biological-control-candidate
Panaphis juglandis
Walnut Aphid, Large Walnut Aphid
Panaphis juglandis, the large walnut aphid, is a phloem-feeding pest of walnut trees (Juglans regia). It colonizes exclusively the upper (adaxial) surface of walnut compound leaves, forming dense colonies along the main vascular veins of the outer leaflets. Native to the Old World (Central Asia and southeastern Europe), it has spread across Europe and was introduced to California in the early 20th century. The species reduces tree vigor, nut yield, and quality, and excretes honeydew that promotes sooty mold growth. It forms mutualistic relationships with ant species that tend and protect colonies from predators.
aphid pest walnut Juglans phloem-feeder honeydew mutualism ants biological-control invasive-species California Europe agriculture urban-ecology
Pandemis heparana
dark fruit-tree tortrix, apple brown tortrix
Pandemis heparana is a tortricid moth with a wingspan of 16–24 mm, recognized by its variable brown forewings with reticulate patterning and dark transverse bands. The species is bivoltine, with adults active from late May to mid-September in western Europe. Larvae develop within rolled leaves of various deciduous trees and shrubs, and are considered agricultural pests of apple and pear orchards.
pest orchard polyphagous leaf-roller bivoltine
Pandemis pyrusana
apple pandemis, pandemis leafroller moth
Pandemis pyrusana is a tortricid moth native to western North America, commonly known as the apple pandemis or pandemis leafroller moth. It is a significant pest of deciduous fruit trees and ornamental plants, with larvae feeding on leaves by rolling and tying them together. The species has one or two generations per year depending on location, with adults active in late spring and again in autumn in coastal California.
leafroller pest tortricid fruit-pest western-North-America pheromone biological-control
Paraleucoptera
cottonwood leafminer moth
Paraleucoptera is a genus of micro moths in the family Lyonetiidae, established by Heinrich in 1918. Members are extremely small, with wingspans as small as 4 mm. The genus includes leaf-mining species that feed on poplars and related host plants. Heavy larval infestations can cause significant defoliation. The genus is currently treated as a synonym of Leucoptera in some taxonomic databases, though it remains in use.
micro-moth leaf-miner pest Populus
Paraleucoptera albella
Cottonwood Leafminer, Cottonwood Leaf Miner
Paraleucoptera albella is a micro-moth in the family Lyonetiidae with a wingspan of approximately 4 mm. The species is known as the cottonwood leafminer due to the feeding behavior of its larvae, which create full-depth mines in leaves of Populus deltoides. It occurs throughout western and eastern North America. Heavy larval infestations can cause significant defoliation and branch damage.
micro-moth leaf-miner pest Populus
Parasa
slug moths
Parasa is a pantropical genus of slug moths (family Limacodidae) characterized by adults with green-banded forewings and larvae possessing stinging hairs. The genus was established by Frederic Moore in 1860 and contains numerous species distributed across Asia, the Americas, and other tropical regions. Recent taxonomic revisions have clarified the identity of the type species P. chloris and used DNA barcoding to resolve relationships among morphologically similar species. The genus includes both generalist and specialist herbivores, with at least one species documented as the first conifer-feeding specialist in the family.
slug-caterpillar stinging-hairs green-moth pest conifer-feeder cryptic-species DNA-barcoding
Parectopa robiniella
Locust Digitate Leafminer, Locust Digitate Leafminer Moth
Parectopa robiniella is a small gracillariid moth native to North America that has become invasive in Europe. First detected in Italy in 1970, it has since spread to at least ten European countries including Ukraine, where it was first recorded in 2003. The species is a specialist leaf miner whose larvae feed on Robinia species, particularly the black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia). Its spread has been facilitated by global warming and the widespread planting of its host tree.
leaf-miner invasive-species pest Robinia Gracillariidae
Paropsis atomaria
Dotted Paropsine Leaf Beetle
Paropsis atomaria is a leaf beetle in the subfamily Chrysomelinae, native to eastern Australia. The species name 'atomaria' refers to its speckled or freckled appearance. It has become an economically significant pest of Eucalyptus plantations in Queensland and New South Wales, and has been introduced to the west coast of North America. Females produce up to 600 eggs, deposited at leaf or twig tips. The species typically completes two generations per summer across most of its range.
pest Eucalyptus plantation Australia leaf-beetle defoliator biological-control parasitoid-host
Parthenolecanium
soft scales, lecanium scales
Parthenolecanium is a genus of soft scale insects in the family Coccidae. These hemipterans are dome-shaped, sap-feeding pests of woody plants including oaks, fruit trees, and grapevines. Several species are significant urban tree pests, notably P. quercifex (oak lecanium scale) and P. corni (European fruit lecanium scale). The genus exhibits variation in reproductive mode: some species reproduce by parthenogenesis, while P. corni reproduces sexually (gamogenesis). Many species have been documented as vectors of grapevine viruses.
scale-insect pest urban-entomology agricultural-pest vector vineyard-pest tree-pest soft-scale Hemiptera Coccidae
Pemphigus bursarius
lettuce root aphid, poplar gall aphid
Pemphigus bursarius is a host-alternating aphid with a heteroecious life cycle involving Populus species as primary hosts and Asteraceae (particularly lettuce) as secondary hosts. On poplars, it forms flask-shaped leaf-stalk galls in spring; on secondary hosts, it lives subterraneanly feeding on roots. The species exhibits unusual flexibility in its life cycle, with some populations capable of asexual overwintering in soil without returning to the primary host. It is an economically significant pest of lettuce crops and shows genetically distinct host-associated populations.
aphid pest gall-former root-feeder host-alternating agricultural-pest lettuce-pest
Pemphigus populitransversus
poplar petiole gall aphid, cabbage root aphid
Pemphigus populitransversus is a gall-forming aphid that induces distinctive fleshy galls on the petioles of poplar leaves. The species exhibits a complex life cycle involving alternation between primary hosts (Populus species) and secondary hosts in the Brassicaceae family. On poplars, females induce green or red galls up to 14 mm in diameter at leaf bases, where they lay eggs; a slit in the gall allows aphid exit. On Brassica hosts, the aphid forms root galls. Adults are small (1.6–2.6 mm) and morphologically distinct from other aphids in lacking abdominal cornicles and having relatively short antennae and legs.
gall-forming host-alternating pest aphid Populus Brassicaceae
Pennisetia marginatum
Raspberry Crown Borer
Pennisetia marginatum, commonly known as the Raspberry Crown Borer, is a clearwing moth in the family Sesiidae. The species is known for its wasp-mimicking appearance and its association with Rubus host plants. It is distributed across the Nearctic region, with records from the Canadian prairies and presumably throughout much of its North American range.
clearwing-moth pest Rubus Sesiidae wasp-mimic
Pentarthrum huttoni
Pentarthrum huttoni is a wood-boring weevil in the family Curculionidae. It has been documented causing damage to historic wooden structures, notably 18th-century softwood coffins in Vienna. The species exhibits a primarily Nearctic distribution but has established populations in several European countries.
wood-boring pest historic-preservation introduced-species high-humidity
Pentodontini
rhinoceros beetles
Pentodontini is the most diverse tribe within the subfamily Dynastinae (rhinoceros beetles), containing over 100 genera distributed across multiple biogeographic regions. Most genera are restricted to a single biogeographic region. The tribe is characterized by substantial morphological diversity, with generic-level identification often relying on mouthpart morphology in females and secondary sexual characters (horns, claw modifications, antennal club length) in males.
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Periphyllus
Periphyllus Aphids, maple aphids
Periphyllus is a genus of aphids in the family Aphididae, subfamily Chaitophorinae, containing more than 40 described species. Species in this genus are primarily associated with maple trees (Acer spp.), though some feed on related host plants such as Koelreuteria. Many species exhibit complex life cycles with polymorphic forms including viviparous females, aestivating dimorphs, and sexual morphs. Several species are invasive pests outside their native ranges, spreading with ornamental host plants.
aphid maple pest invasive holocyclic aestivating-dimorph polymorphism phloem-feeder ornamental-pest Chaitophorinae
Periplaneta americana
American cockroach, waterbug, ship cockroach, kakerlac, Bombay canary
The American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) is the largest species of common cockroach, despite its common name, it is not native to the Americas. It is a significant pest in human structures worldwide, particularly in food preparation and storage areas. The species has been extensively used in scientific research, including studies on olfaction, neurobiology, and behavior. At UC Davis, it serves as the featured athlete in the annual Roach Races, a popular public engagement event held during Picnic Day since 1992.
pest urban model-organism public-engagement
Periploca ceanothiella
Ceanothus stem gall moth
A small gall-forming moth in the family Cosmopterigidae that induces stem galls on Ceanothus species. The species has been recorded across much of North America, with adults active primarily from March to August. Larvae bore into host stems, causing distinctive gall formations, and overwinter within these structures.
gall-former pest ornamental-pest concealed-feeder stem-borer
Petrusa epilepsis
Sea Grape Flatid
Petrusa epilepsis, commonly known as the Sea Grape Flatid, is a planthopper in the family Flatidae native to the Caribbean region. Adults are covered in a distinctive frosty, white waxy coating and hold their wings in a tent-like posture characteristic of the subfamily Flatinae. The species feeds on multiple host plants including seagrape (Coccoloba uvifera), coffee, coco-plum, jasmine, and black mangrove, and has been recorded as a pest causing direct feeding damage and promoting sooty mold growth through honeydew excretion. Originally described from Puerto Rico, it has been documented across the West Indies and has been detected in Florida, raising concerns about its potential to become an invasive pest in mainland tropical and subtropical regions.
Flatidae planthopper Fulgoroidea pest polyphagous Caribbean seagrape invasive-potential sooty-mold
Phacopteronidae
jumping plant-lice
Phacopteronidae is a family of psyllids (jumping plant-lice) within the superfamily Psylloidea. The family contains at least 31 Afrotropical species, primarily in the genus Pseudophacopteron, with additional species in the genus Phacopteron reported from southern India. Most species are associated with host plants in the order Sapindales, particularly Burseraceae and Rutaceae. Some species are gall-inducers, while others are free-living phloem feeders. The family has been documented as containing pests of cultivated plants, including species damaging to Dacryodes edulis in Cameroon.
psyllid jumping-plant-lice phloem-feeder gall-inducer pest Afrotropical Sapindales Burseraceae
Phenacoccus aceris
apple mealybug, maple mealybug
Phenacoccus aceris, commonly known as the apple mealybug or maple mealybug, is a widespread polyphagous mealybug species in the family Pseudococcidae. Native to Europe, it has become established across the Holarctic region including North America and Asia. The species is a significant agricultural and horticultural pest, feeding on phloem sap of numerous host plants including apple, maple, grapevine, ash, and prickly ash. Recent molecular and morphological studies have revealed that P. aceris represents a species complex containing multiple cryptic species, with taxonomic confusion arising from co-occurring putative species that cannot be reliably separated by host-plant associations alone. The species is also an important vector of grapevine viruses, transmitting six ampeloviruses and two vitiviruses.
mealybug pest virus-vector grapevine apple polyphagous Holarctic species-complex biological-control integrated-pest-management horticulture viticulture cryptic-species phloem-feeder Sternorrhyncha Pseudococcidae Phenacoccus agricultural-pest ornamental-pest leafroll-disease ampelovirus vitivirus
Phenacoccus solani
Solanum Mealybug
Phenacoccus solani, commonly known as the solanum mealybug, is a parthenogenetic mealybug species in the family Pseudococcidae. It reproduces via thelytokous parthenogenesis, with females producing viable offspring without males. The species has a broad host range including plants in Solanaceae, Amaryllidaceae, and Compositae families, and is recognized as a pest of tomato, cotton, and ornamental plants. Historically confused with P. defectus due to morphological similarity, molecular and morphometric analyses confirmed these as conspecific in 2016, with P. defectus synonymized under P. solani. The species has a cosmopolitan distribution spanning the Nearctic, Mediterranean basin, Asia, South America, Africa, Australia, and Pacific islands.
mealybug parthenogenesis pest agriculture ornamentals tomato cotton biological-control invasive-species
Phidotricha erigens
Phidotricha erigens is a pyralid moth first documented as a coffee pest in Amazonian Robusta plantations in Rondônia, Brazil, representing the first world record of this species attacking Coffea. The larvae, known as rosette caterpillars, damage reproductive structures including flower buds, flowers, and developing fruits. The species predominates over co-occurring Cryptoblabes gnidiella in some areas and has been associated with sudden population outbreaks causing economic losses in coffee farming.
pest coffee agriculture Pyralidae Lepidoptera Rondônia Brazil Robusta-coffee
Phoenicococcidae
palm scales, phoenicococcids
Phoenicococcidae is a monotypic family of scale insects containing a single genus and species, Phoenicococcus marlatti. Commonly known as palm scales or red date scales, these insects are specialized pests of palms in the genus Phoenix. They are sessile as adults, embedded in white waxy nests at the base of palm fronds.
scale-insect pest monotypic date-palm agricultural-pest sessile
Phoenicococcus
red date scale
Phoenicococcus is a genus of scale insects in the family Phoenicococcidae. The genus contains P. marlatti, commonly known as the red date scale, which is a significant pest of cultivated date palms (Phoenix dactylifera). Species in this genus are phloem-feeding insects that infest palm hosts. The genus is distinguished by its specialized association with palms and its morphological features typical of the family Phoenicococcidae.
scale-insect pest date-palm phloem-feeding agricultural-pest palms Hemiptera Sternorrhyncha Coccidomorpha Phoenicococcidae
Phoetaliotes nebrascensis
large-headed grasshopper, largeheaded grasshopper, red-nosed grasshopper, big head, large-headed locust
Phoetaliotes nebrascensis is a medium-sized, slim spur-throated grasshopper distinguished by its disproportionately large head relative to body size. It is a dominant species in North American tallgrass prairie and common in lush patches of mixedgrass prairie. The species exhibits wing dimorphism: most adults have short, non-functional wings, while a small percentage possess long wings enabling flight. It feeds almost exclusively on grasses, an unusual trait among spur-throated grasshoppers.
grasshopper Melanoplinae prairie tallgrass wing-dimorphism phytophilous grass-specialist late-season pest North-America Acrididae Orthoptera
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.
pest aphid hemp cannabis monophagous invasive North-America virus-vector greenhouse-pest field-pest
Phyllaphis fagi
Woolly Beech Aphid
Phyllaphis fagi, the woolly beech aphid, is a small sap-sucking insect that lives exclusively on beech trees (Fagus species). It produces dense white to bluish-white wax threads that give colonies a distinctive woolly appearance. The species has a complex life cycle involving both winged and wingless forms, with up to ten generations per year in favorable conditions. Native to Europe, it has been introduced to several other regions including North America, Australia, and New Zealand, where it can become a significant pest in beech forests and nurseries.
aphid pest beech forest-insect introduced-species honeydew-producer
Phyllocnistinae
Phyllocnistinae is a subfamily of leaf-mining moths within Gracillariidae. The group contains the genus Phyllocnistis, whose larvae are specialized serpentine leaf miners that feed between the upper and lower surfaces of host plant leaves. Members occur in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, with some species achieving pest status on economically important crops.
leaf-miner pest citrus serpentine-mine Gracillariidae tropical subtropical parasitoid-host
Phyllocnistis
Phyllocnistis is a genus of microlepidopteran moths in the family Gracillariidae, containing approximately 126 described species as of 2012. The genus is notable for its highly specialized larval biology: early instars are sap-feeding leaf miners that create distinctive serpentine subepidermal mines with median frass trails, while the fourth instar is a non-feeding, apodal stage specialized for cocoon construction. Adults are minute moths with wingspans generally under 5 mm, characterized by reduced compound eyes, vestigial maxillary palpi, and lanceolate white wings marked with yellow to orange striae.
leaf-miner microlepidoptera pest biological-control citrus grapevine avocado
Phylloecus trimaculatus
Rose Shoot Sawfly
Phylloecus trimaculatus, commonly known as the rose shoot sawfly, is a stem sawfly in the family Cephidae. Adults emerge in late April and oviposit inside the stems of Rosa and Rubus species. Larvae feed within host stems throughout the summer before dropping to the ground to overwinter. The species occurs from southern Canada through the eastern United States to the Great Plains.
stem-sawfly Cephidae pest Rosaceae Rubus Rosa temperate-North-America univoltine stem-borer