Pest
Guides
Vanduzea laeta
Vanduzea laeta is a small treehopper species in the family Membracidae, described by Frederic Webster Goding in 1893. Adults are active primarily from May through August. The species is recognized as a pest of common sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and other Helianthus species, feeding on plant sap. It is frequently confused with the related species V. segmentata.
Vatiga
cassava lace bugs
Vatiga is a genus of lace bugs (family Tingidae) containing approximately 11 described species. The genus is native to the Neotropical region and has become economically significant as an invasive pest in cassava-growing regions worldwide. Species in this genus are highly host-specific, feeding exclusively on cassava (Manihot esculenta). The most extensively studied species are Vatiga illudens and Vatiga manihotae, which have been introduced to Indonesia and Africa, posing threats to food security in these regions.
Vespa mandarinia
Asian giant hornet, Japanese giant hornet, yak-killer hornet
Vespa mandarinia is the world's largest hornet species, native to temperate and tropical low mountains and forests of eastern Asia. It has been introduced to the Pacific Northwest of North America, where it was first detected in British Columbia and Washington State in 2019. The species poses significant threats to European honey bee colonies through coordinated group attacks, and its establishment could impact apiculture, ecosystems, and public health.
Vespula germanica
German yellowjacket, European wasp, German wasp
Vespula germanica is a highly invasive social wasp native to Europe, Northern Africa, and temperate Asia that has established populations across much of the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere, including North America, South America, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. It is one of the most successful invasive wasp species globally, characterized by exceptional cognitive flexibility, opportunistic foraging behavior, and adaptability to diverse environments. The species exhibits complex social organization with annual colonies founded by single queens, though perennial colonies occur in favorable climates. Its invasive success is attributed to flexible nesting habits, broad dietary range, and efficient resource exploitation, though human-aided transport of hibernating queens significantly contributes to long-distance dispersal.
Vespula maculifrons
Eastern yellowjacket, Eastern yellow jacket
Vespula maculifrons is a social wasp native to eastern North America, commonly known as the Eastern yellowjacket. It is among the most aggressive stinging insects in its range, known for vigorously defending nests and delivering painful stings with minimal provocation. Colonies are typically founded by a single queen in spring and can grow to contain thousands of workers by late summer. The species is polyandrous, with females mating with multiple males, and exhibits cooperative colony dynamics without significant reproductive conflict among patrilines.
Vitacea polistiformis
grape root borer, Grape Root Borer Moth
Vitacea polistiformis, commonly known as the grape root borer, is a clearwing moth in the family Sesiidae. It is a significant agricultural pest of grapevines (Vitis spp.) in the eastern and midwestern United States, where larval feeding on roots causes 'slow vine decline' that may take 5–10 years to become visible aboveground. Adults are Batesian mimics of Polistes paper wasps. As few as nine larvae can kill a mature vine with an 8-inch base circumference.
Vitula serratilineella
Beehive Honey Moth, driedfruit moth, bumble bee wax moth
Vitula serratilineella, commonly known as the beehive honey moth or driedfruit moth, is a wax moth species native to western North America. It is a significant pest of beekeeping operations, infesting honey bee products and wax. The species was described by Ragonot in 1887 and has been the subject of pheromone-based monitoring research. Females produce a specific three-component pheromone blend that has been successfully used in field trapping programs.
Xanthopastis
Spanish moth
Xanthopastis is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, established by Hübner in 1821. The genus contains at least three described species, including Xanthopastis timais, commonly known as the Spanish moth. Members of this genus are notable for their association with ornamental plants and their role as hosts for parasitoid flies. The Spanish moth has been documented as a pest of amaryllis cultivation.
Xanthopastis regnatrix
Spanish moth, convict caterpillar
Xanthopastis regnatrix, commonly known as the Spanish moth or convict caterpillar, is a noctuid moth native to the southeastern United States. The species was previously grouped under Xanthopastis timais, now recognized as a species complex, with X. regnatrix applying specifically to populations in the eastern United States. Its caterpillars are known pests of amaryllis and related ornamental plants. The species has been recorded as far north as coastal New York and Kentucky, though these represent strays outside its core range.
Xestobiini
Xestobiini is a tribe of small beetles within the family Ptinidae (spider beetles and deathwatch beetles), subfamily Ernobiinae. Members of this tribe are wood-boring beetles that develop in dead or decaying wood. The tribe was established by Böving in 1927 and includes genera such as Xestobium. These beetles are characterized by their cylindrical body form and association with hardwood substrates.
Xestobium
death-watch beetles
Xestobium is a genus of wood-boring beetles in the family Ptinidae, commonly known as death-watch beetles. The genus contains approximately 13 described species, with Xestobium rufovillosum being the most studied due to its economic significance as a pest of structural timbers in historic buildings. These beetles are renowned for the distinctive tapping sound produced by adults, which serves as a mating signal and has inspired their common name. The genus is primarily associated with decayed hardwoods, particularly oak, and has a prolonged life cycle spanning multiple years.
Xylastodoris luteolus
Royal Palm Bug
Xylastodoris luteolus is a thaumastocorid true bug that feeds exclusively on royal palms (Roystonea regia). Adults are golden-yellow, darkening with age; nymphs are pale yellow to orange. The species completes development from egg to adult in approximately 30 days at 80°F, passing through five nymphal instars. Its feeding causes distinctive yellow spots on leaflets that expand into brown necrotic areas, resulting in premature leaf death. No natural enemies have been documented.
Xyleborus affinis
sugarcane shot-hole borer
Xyleborus affinis is a highly widespread ambrosia beetle native to the American tropics, now found in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. It cultivates symbiotic fungi in galleries bored into decaying wood, feeding exclusively on these fungal gardens. The species exhibits facultative eusociality with delayed dispersal of adult offspring, who assist with nest maintenance and brood care. Females are the dispersing sex and are strongly attracted to ethanol and specific host plant volatiles. Despite frequent association with declining trees, it primarily colonizes wood already in early decay rather than causing primary mortality.
Xylosandrus crassiusculus
Granulate Ambrosia Beetle, Asian Ambrosia Beetle
Xylosandrus crassiusculus is a small ambrosia beetle native to tropical and subtropical Asia that has become one of the most successful invasive wood-boring beetles globally. Adults are reddish-brown, 2–3 mm long, and exhibit a specialized fungus-farming mutualism. Females excavate galleries in wood, introduce the symbiotic fungus Ambrosiella roeperi, and cultivate it as the sole food source for themselves and their offspring. The species is polyphagous on broadleaf trees and shrubs, infesting stressed nursery stock, young trees, and stacked timber, causing economic damage in forestry and agriculture.
Xylotrechus insignis
Willow Borer
Xylotrechus insignis is a species of longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1873. Commonly known as the Willow Borer, this beetle is recognized for its wood-boring larvae that tunnel into willow trees and related hosts, potentially causing significant damage or tree mortality. Adults measure 12–16 mm in length. The species is native to North America, with records from the United States and Mexico.
Xystrologa grenadella
Xystrologa grenadella is a small moth in the family Tineidae. It has been documented as an invasive pest in greenhouse environments in southern Florida, USA and Germany. The species is native to the West Indies, with type locality in Grenada.
Yponomeuta malinellus
Apple Ermine, apple ermine moth
Yponomeuta malinellus, the apple ermine moth, is a small ermine moth native to Europe and Asia that has become established in North America. It is a specialist pest of Malus (apple) species, with larvae that feed gregariously within silken tents and can cause significant defoliation. The species has been extensively studied as a target for classical biological control, with multiple parasitoid species introduced to manage outbreaks.
Yponomeuta padella
orchard ermine, cherry ermine
Yponomeuta padella is a small ermine moth native to Europe and parts of Asia, now introduced to North America. Adults are active from July to August and are attracted to light. The species is notable for forming part of a cryptic species complex with Y. malinellus, Y. cagnagella, Y. rorella, and Y. evonymella, requiring genital examination or host plant association for reliable identification. Larvae feed on Prunus and Crataegus species, and the moth has demonstrated invasive potential with documented outbreaks causing significant defoliation in introduced and expanded ranges.
Zapatella
Zapatella is a genus of gall wasps in the family Cynipidae. The genus includes at least one well-documented species, Z. davisae, which has become a significant pest of black oak (Quercus velutina) in the northeastern United States. Gall wasps in this genus induce gall formation on oak hosts. The genus was described in 2012 by Pujade-Villar & Melika.
Zeiraphera canadensis
spruce bud moth
Zeiraphera canadensis, the spruce bud moth, is a small tortricid moth native to North America. The species is univoltine, with eggs laid on white spruce in July that overwinter and hatch the following May. Larvae feed within spruce buds and shoots, causing deformation and growth reduction in host trees. The species is recognized as a significant pest of white spruce plantations, particularly in Canada and the northeastern United States.
Zelleria haimbachi
pine needle sheathminer
Zelleria haimbachi, commonly known as the pine needle sheathminer, is a small moth in the family Yponomeutidae. The species is native to western North America, where it is associated with pine forests. Larvae are specialized miners that feed within the sheaths of pine needles, an unusual feeding strategy among conifer-feeding Lepidoptera. The species has been recorded as a localized pest, with documented outbreak events in British Columbia spanning several decades.
Zeuzera pyrina
leopard moth, wood leopard moth
Zeuzera pyrina is a medium-sized wood-boring moth in the family Cossidae, commonly known as the leopard moth or wood leopard moth. Adults are highly distinctive with white wings marked by numerous black spots, giving the species its common name. The larvae are xylophagous pests that tunnel into the wood of fruit trees and other deciduous hosts, causing significant economic damage in orchards worldwide. The species is native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia, and has been introduced to the northeastern United States.
Zygogramma exclamationis
sunflower beetle
Zygogramma exclamationis, the sunflower beetle, is a leaf-feeding chrysomelid beetle native to North America. Adults emerge from hibernation in late spring to early summer, coinciding with sunflower seedling emergence, and feed on young leaves. Larvae develop through summer, feeding nocturnally on foliage while hiding in flower bracts during daylight hours. The species completes one generation per year, with new adults emerging in late summer before overwintering in soil. It is a recognized pest of cultivated sunflowers, particularly damaging to seedlings, and serves as host for parasitoid tachinid flies including Myiopharus neilli.