Polyphagous
Guides
Romaleidae
lubber grasshoppers, lubbers
Romaleidae, commonly known as lubber grasshoppers, are a family of large, flightless or short-winged grasshoppers found in the Americas. The family includes some of the largest and most robust grasshoppers in North America, with adults often exceeding 50 mm in length and displaying striking color patterns. The common name "lubber" derives from nautical slang for a clumsy person, referencing their slow, deliberate movements and inability to fly. The family comprises two subfamilies, Bactrophorinae and Romaleinae, with the latter containing the well-known genus Romalea. Many species exhibit aposematic coloration as nymphs and adults, advertising their chemical defenses against predators.
Russellaspis
oleander pit scale, fig pit scale
Russellaspis is a genus of armored scale insects (Asterolecaniidae) known primarily from the species R. pustulans, commonly called the oleander pit scale or fig pit scale. These insects are parthenogenetic, with no known males, and are significant agricultural pests on fruit trees and ornamental plants in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. The genus is characterized by its pit-inducing feeding damage on host plants and its ability to complete multiple generations annually under favorable conditions.
Russellaspis pustulans
oleander pit scale, fig pit scale, Akee Fringed Scale
Russellaspis pustulans, commonly known as the oleander pit scale or fig pit scale, is a parthenogenetic scale insect in the family Asterolecaniidae. It is highly polyphagous, feeding on plants across 69 families with documented preference for fig (Ficus carica) and oleander (Nerium oleander). The species is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, completing 2-3 generations annually depending on environmental conditions. It is recognized as a pest of economic importance on fruit trees and ornamental plants, with feeding activity inducing characteristic pitting and galling on host tissues.
Saissetia
soft scales, black scales
Saissetia is a genus of soft scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccidae) containing at least four described species. The genus includes economically important pests, notably Saissetia oleae (black scale) and Saissetia coffeae (hemispherical scale), which attack citrus, olive, coffee, and numerous ornamental plants. Saissetia species are phloem-feeding insects that produce honeydew, facilitating ant associations and sooty mold growth. Several species have been introduced globally through trade in infested nursery plants.
Saissetia coffeae
hemispherical scale, helmet scale, coffee brown scale
Saissetia coffeae is a polyphagous soft scale insect (Coccidae) with a cosmopolitan tropical and subtropical distribution. Adults are sessile, hemispherical, and helmet-shaped, ranging 2–4.5 mm in diameter depending on host plant. The species reproduces parthenogenetically; all individuals are female. It is a significant agricultural pest of coffee, citrus, avocado, fig, guava, and numerous ornamental plants, causing damage through phloem sap feeding and honeydew secretion that promotes sooty mold growth. Multiple parasitoid wasps and predatory insects are associated with natural population regulation.
Scaptocoris
burrowing bugs, burrower bugs
Scaptocoris is a genus of burrowing bugs in the family Cydnidae, currently containing at least seven described species in the Neotropical region. Species in this genus are economically important soil-borne pests that feed on plant roots using piercing-sucking mouthparts. They exhibit distinctive behavioral adaptations including vertical migration in soil in response to moisture availability and flight dispersal during rainy periods. The genus has been documented attacking crops including soybean, cotton, corn, rice, and various pasture grasses across South America.
Schistocerca americana
American grasshopper, American bird grasshopper
Schistocerca americana is a large grasshopper native to eastern North America, Mexico, and the Bahamas. Adults reach 4.5–5.5 cm in length, with yellow-brown bodies and pale wings marked with large brown spots. The species exhibits temperature-dependent color polyphenism in nymphs, producing green, yellow, or red forms with black patterning influenced by thermal conditions. Two generations occur annually, with adults overwintering rather than eggs. Though occasionally called a 'locust' during localized outbreaks, it lacks the true swarming morph of its congener S. gregaria.
Sciaphilus
Sciaphilus is a genus of weevils in the family Curculionidae, subfamily Entiminae, tribe Sciaphilini. The genus contains at least two described species: Sciaphilus asperatus and S. costulatus. Species are distributed across Europe, Northern America, and parts of Asia. The best-studied species, S. asperatus, is wingless, parthenogenetic, and polyphagous.
Scirtothrips
leaf-feeding thrips, citrus thrips, chilli thrips
Scirtothrips is a genus of leaf-feeding thrips in the family Thripidae, established by Shull in 1909. The genus includes economically significant pest species such as the chilli thrips (S. dorsalis), citrus thrips (S. citri), and South African citrus thrips (S. aurantii), which damage agricultural crops through piercing-sucking feeding on tender leaves, buds, and fruit. Species exhibit diverse host associations ranging from highly host-specific forms on endemic Australian Acacia to broadly polyphagous invasive pests. The genus has undergone taxonomic revision, with Labiothrips synonymised under Scirtothrips.
Scirtothrips dorsalis
chilli thrips, yellow tea thrips, castor thrips, Assam thrips, strawberry thrips
Scirtothrips dorsalis is a highly invasive thrips species native to South or Southeast Asia that has achieved global distribution over the past two decades. It is a significant agricultural pest with an exceptionally broad host range spanning vegetables, ornamentals, and fruit crops. The species is characterized by rapid population growth, with development from egg to adult completed in approximately two weeks under optimal conditions. Its feeding causes distinctive damage including leaf curling, brown scarring along leaf veins, and bronzing to blackening of fruits and flowers. The species has been implicated in transmission of tospoviruses, though its efficiency as a vector remains debated. Genetic evidence indicates S. dorsalis represents a species complex of morphologically similar but genetically distinct lineages.
Scrobipalpa
Scrobipalpa is a genus of small moths in the family Gelechiidae, established by Janse in 1951. The genus contains over 100 described species distributed across Africa, Asia, Europe, and introduced populations in North America and Australasia. Several species are economically significant agricultural pests, particularly of sugar beet, quinoa, tobacco, and eggplant. The genus was historically split with Euscrobipalpa treated as a subgenus or separate genus, but this distinction is no longer recognized as valid.
Selenothrips
red-banded thrips (for S. rubrocinctus)
Selenothrips is a genus of thrips in the family Thripidae, established by Heinrich Hugo Karny in 1911. The genus contains at least two described species: S. rubrocinctus (Giard, 1901), commonly known as the red-banded thrips or cacao thrips, and S. glabratus Priesner, 1927. S. rubrocinctus is a polyphagous pest with broad tropical and subtropical distribution, known to attack cacao, cashew, mango, avocado, and other crops. Research on this species has focused on its feeding behavior in relation to plant water-stress and amino acid availability.
Selenothrips rubrocinctus
redbanded thrips, cacao thrips, red-banded thrips
Selenothrips rubrocinctus is a small thrips species known as the redbanded thrips, recognized by the distinctive red banding on its dark body. It is a polyphagous pest with a near pan-tropical distribution, first described from the West Indies though possibly originating in northern South America. The species is economically significant as a pest of cacao, mango, cashew, and various ornamental trees, causing leaf silvering, distortion, and fruit damage through sap-feeding. Populations exhibit seasonal dynamics tied to host plant water stress and nutritional status, with peaks typically occurring during dry seasons.
Siphanta
Siphanta is a genus of planthoppers in the family Flatidae, characterized by distinct morphological features of the head and thorax. Most species are native to Australia, with some introduced to other regions. Members are herbivorous, with at least one species known to be polyphagous and economically significant as a pest of agricultural and ornamental plants.
Siphoninus
ash whiteflies
Siphoninus is a genus of whiteflies in the family Aleyrodidae. The genus includes at least three recognized species: Siphoninus phillyreae (the ash whitefly), S. immaculatus, and S. gruveli. Siphoninus phillyreae is the most extensively studied species, known as a polyphagous pest with a broad global distribution spanning Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Oceania. The genus has been subject to recent taxonomic revision, including the revalidation of S. finitimus as a distinct species.
Siphoninus phillyreae
ash whitefly
Siphoninus phillyreae, commonly known as the ash whitefly, is a polyphagous whitefly species native to western Eurasia, India, and North Africa. It has been introduced to North America, South America, and Oceania, where it is recognized as a significant agricultural pest. The species feeds on a broad range of host plants including ash, pomegranate, apple, pear, and other fruit trees. Encarsia inaron is a primary parasitoid used for its biological control.
Sophonia orientalis
Two-spotted Leafhopper
Sophonia orientalis is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, commonly known as the Two-spotted Leafhopper. It is polyphagous and has established populations across Asia, Europe, the United States, and Oceania. The species is notable for its broad geographic distribution spanning multiple continents.
Sparganothis senecionana
Sparganothis senecionana is a tortricid moth species distributed across western North America from British Columbia to Mexico and eastward to Colorado. Adults are active from April to August with one generation per year. The species exhibits broad polyphagy, with larvae feeding on flowers of diverse host plants spanning multiple families including Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, and conifers.
Spharagemon equale
Say's grasshopper, orange-legged grasshopper
Spharagemon equale, commonly known as Say's grasshopper or the orange-legged grasshopper, is a relatively large band-winged grasshopper species in the family Acrididae. It is widely distributed across the grasslands of western North America, inhabiting tallgrass, mixedgrass, shortgrass, bunchgrass, and desert prairies, as well as shrub-grass communities of the Great Basin. The species is characterized by its orange hind tibiae, which give it its common name, and distinctive banded hindwings. It is a polyphagous feeder on grasses and forbs, typically occurring at low densities in rangeland assemblages.
Spharagemon equale equale
Orangelegged Grasshopper, Say's Grasshopper
Spharagemon equale equale is a relatively large bandwinged grasshopper native to western North American grasslands. Adults are distinguished by orange hind tibiae and orange inner hind femora marked with dark bands. The subspecies is polyphagous, feeding on diverse grasses and forbs with documented regional variation in plant preferences. It is a subdominant member of rangeland grasshopper assemblages, typically occurring at low densities with minor economic impact except during rare population increases. The species is a strong flier with long wings extending beyond the abdomen, and both sexes crepitate in flight.
Sphenarches anisodactylus
geranium plume moth, fire-flag plume moth
Sphenarches anisodactylus is a small plume moth in the family Pterophoridae with a wingspan of approximately 10 mm. It has a remarkably broad distribution spanning tropical and subtropical regions across multiple continents. The species is known to feed on flower buds and flowers of diverse plant families, with larvae recorded from over a dozen host plants including ornamental, agricultural, and wild species. Its common names reflect association with geraniums (Pelargonium) and fire-flag (Thalia geniculata).
Spilosoma
tiger moths, ermine moths
Spilosoma is a genus of tiger moths in the family Erebidae, established by John Curtis in 1825. The genus is taxonomically heterogeneous and widely acknowledged to require systematic revision, with many species likely needing reclassification into separate genera. Members are commonly known as tiger moths or ermine moths, with larvae often called 'woolly bears' due to their dense, colorful setae. The genus has a global distribution with particular diversity in tropical and temperate regions. Several species are significant agricultural pests, notably Spilosoma obliqua (Bihar hairy caterpillar) in South Asia, which causes severe defoliation of jute, legumes, and other crops.
Spodoptera
Armyworm Moths
Spodoptera is a genus of noctuid moths comprising approximately 30 species distributed across six continents. The larvae are commonly known as armyworms and include some of the most destructive agricultural pests worldwide. Several species, including the fall armyworm (S. frugiperda), beet armyworm (S. exigua), and cotton leafworm (S. littoralis), cause significant economic damage to crops. The genus is characterized by specific morphological traits that distinguish it from related noctuid genera.
Spodoptera albula
Gray-streaked Armyworm Moth, Unbarred Spodoptera Moth, Gray-streaked Armyworm
Spodoptera albula is a noctuid moth distributed from the southern United States through South America. The adult has a wingspan of 33–35 mm. Larvae are polyphagous but show a preference for Amaranthus species, and have been documented as a minor pest of soybean in Brazil. The species is one of several Spodoptera armyworms affecting agricultural crops in the Americas, though it remains less economically significant than congeners such as S. eridania or S. cosmioides.
Spodoptera dolichos
Sweet Potato Armyworm Moth, Dolichos Armyworm Moth, Sweetpotato Armyworm Moth
Spodoptera dolichos is a noctuid moth species native to the Americas, ranging from the southern United States through Central America to Argentina. The species was first described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1794. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 40 mm. Larvae are polyphagous, feeding on a wide variety of wild and cultivated plants.
Spodoptera eridania
Southern Armyworm Moth, Southern Armyworm
Spodoptera eridania is a highly polyphagous noctuid moth whose larvae are significant agricultural pests in tropical and subtropical regions of the Western Hemisphere. The species has emerged as one of the most important armyworm pests of soybean in Brazil and Argentina, particularly in cotton-growing regions, while remaining a sporadic pest in the southern United States. Larvae feed gregariously when young, skeletonizing leaves, and become solitary as they mature, often boring into fruit. The species has been introduced to West Africa (Nigeria and Cameroon).
Spodoptera exigua
Beet Armyworm, Small Mottled Willow Moth, Asparagus Fern Caterpillar
Spodoptera exigua, commonly known as the beet armyworm, is a highly polyphagous agricultural pest native to Asia that has been introduced worldwide. The species is a member of the family Noctuidae and is particularly destructive in vegetable crops, though it occasionally damages soybean in the southern United States. Larvae are characterized by variable green coloration with pinkish or yellowish undersides and a white lateral stripe. The species has gained attention in molecular research due to its gut microbiome interactions and baculovirus susceptibility, which have implications for biological control strategies.
Spodoptera frugiperda
Fall Armyworm, Fall Armyworm Moth
Spodoptera frugiperda, commonly known as the fall armyworm, is a migratory moth species native to the Americas that has become a devastating invasive pest across Africa and Asia. The larvae are polyphagous, feeding on more than 80 plant species including maize, sorghum, cotton, and soybean. Economic damage from this species has been severe, with estimated losses of $2.5–6.3 billion annually in affected African countries. The species cannot overwinter in temperate regions, reinvading northern areas annually through long-distance migration.
Spodoptera latifascia
velvet armyworm, lateral-lined armyworm, garden armyworm
Spodoptera latifascia is a noctuid moth native to Central America and the Antilles, extending into North America from Texas to Florida. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 42 mm and are active from March to October depending on location. The species was originally described by Walker in 1856 as Prodenia latifascia. Spodoptera cosmioides, a South American species formerly considered synonymous with S. latifascia, has been reinstated as a valid species.
Spodoptera ornithogalli
Yellow-striped Armyworm, Cotton Cutworm
Spodoptera ornithogalli is a noctuid moth widely distributed across the Americas, ranging from southern Canada through the United States, Mexico, Central America, and throughout much of South America. The species is primarily known as a polyphagous agricultural pest whose larvae feed on numerous crop plants. While occasionally damaging to soybean in the southeastern United States, it is generally considered a minor pest compared to other Spodoptera species. The larva is distinctive among armyworms for its relatively uniform black velvety appearance with contrasting bright yellow longitudinal stripes.
Spodoptera praefica
Western Yellow-striped Armyworm, Western Yellow-striped Armyworm Moth
Spodoptera praefica, the western yellow-striped armyworm, is a noctuid moth native to western North America. The species has two adult flight periods annually, occurring in early spring and late summer. Larvae are black with yellow stripes and feed on herbaceous plants including several agricultural crops. The species is considered a high risk for invasion into the European and Mediterranean region but is currently absent from that area.
Stigmella corylifoliella
Stigmella corylifoliella is a minute moth in the family Nepticulidae, described by James Brackenridge Clemens in 1861. The species has a wingspan of approximately 3.5 mm and is distributed across much of North America, from the eastern United States to the Pacific coast and southern Canada. Its larvae are leaf miners that feed on a diverse array of host plants.
Stratiolaelaps
Stratiolaelaps is a genus of predatory mites in the family Laelapidae, with at least nine described species. The genus is best known from Stratiolaelaps scimitus, a polyphagous soil-dwelling predator native to the Northern Hemisphere that has been commercialized globally as a biological control agent. Members of this genus inhabit soil, litter, and rhizosphere environments where they prey on small invertebrates including fungus gnat larvae, thrips pupae, nematodes, and other mites. The genus exhibits haplodiploid sex determination and has been subject to extensive study regarding mass rearing, genetic management, and behavioral responses to chemical cues.
Sybra alternans
Sybra alternans is a longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) native to Southeast Asia and the western Pacific. It has been introduced to Hawaii (1917) and Florida, where it established populations outside its native range. The species feeds on a diverse array of host plants including agricultural crops and ornamental species, suggesting polyphagous habits. Its wide distribution across island and mainland habitats indicates significant dispersal capability.
Syricoris lacunana
Dark strawberry tortrix, Common Marble
Syricoris lacunana is a small tortricid moth with a wingspan of 16–18 mm, found throughout the Palearctic realm. Adults are active at dusk from late April to September, with variable gray-brown forewings marked by thin silvery lines. The species is highly polyphagous, with larvae feeding on a broad range of herbaceous plants, shrubs, and trees. It is commonly encountered in hedgerows, fields, and woodland edges across Europe and northern Asia.
Systena hudsonias
black-headed flea beetle, Black-headed Systena
Systena hudsonias is a flea beetle (Chrysomelidae: Alticini) native to North America. Adults are herbivorous and have been documented feeding on at least nine plant families, including Asteraceae species such as sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) and giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida). The species is considered polyphagous, though specific larval host associations remain poorly documented. It is occasionally noted in agricultural contexts where sunflowers are cultivated.
Taylorilygus
Taylorilygus plant bugs
Taylorilygus is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, containing more than 40 described species. The genus belongs to the taxonomically challenging Lygus-complex and has been the subject of molecular phylogenetic studies to clarify its relationships with related genera such as Diomocoris and Micromimetus. Species within this genus exhibit broad geographic distributions, with T. apicalis occurring on every continent except Antarctica and other species concentrated primarily in Africa with scattered occurrences in Asia, Europe, and Australia. At least some species are phytophagous and associated with agricultural systems, including soybean fields.
Tetracis cachexiata
White Slant-line, White Slaut
A medium-sized geometrid moth with white wings marked by a slanted transverse line. Adults are active in late spring and early summer across much of North America. The species exhibits broad polyphagy, with larvae feeding on diverse woody plants including both angiosperms and conifers.
Tetracis jubararia
October thorn moth, October Thorn
Tetracis jubararia is a geometrid moth known as the October thorn moth. It occurs in western North America with two recognized subspecies occupying distinct elevational zones. Adults fly in late summer and autumn. Larvae feed on a diverse range of woody plants including both angiosperms and conifers.
Tetranychus urticae
twospotted spider mite, two-spotted spider mite, red spider mite
Tetranychus urticae, the twospotted spider mite, is a minute phytophagous mite and among the most destructive agricultural pests worldwide. Adults measure approximately 0.4 mm and are typically pale green for most of the year, turning red in later generations. The species is extremely polyphagous, feeding on over 1,100 plant species across 140 families. It reproduces through arrhenotokous parthenogenesis, with females emerging from fertilized eggs and males from unfertilized eggs. Populations can increase explosively under hot, dry conditions, expanding 70-fold in as few as six days. The species exhibits the highest frequency of pesticide resistance among arthropods and was the first chelicerate to have its genome fully sequenced (2011).
Thrips tabaci
onion thrips, potato thrips, tobacco thrips, cotton seedling thrips, tomato thrips
Thrips tabaci is a minute agricultural pest thrips species known by multiple common names reflecting its broad host range. Adults measure 1–1.3 mm and exhibit highly female-biased sex ratios in many populations, with reproduction primarily by parthenogenesis. The species causes direct damage through rasping-sucking feeding and serves as a vector for multiple plant viruses including tomato spotted wilt virus and iris yellow spot virus. It is considered the most serious insect pest of onion crops in tropical regions and has achieved global distribution.
Trichoferus
Trichoferus is a genus of long-horned beetles (Cerambycidae) established by Wollaston in 1854, containing at least 20 described species. Several species have become economically significant as invasive wood-boring pests, with Trichoferus campestris (velvet longhorned beetle) being particularly well-documented for its worldwide expansion through international trade. The genus includes both native and introduced species with documented associations with living trees, cut wood, and wood packaging material.
Trichoferus campestris
velvet longhorned beetle
Trichoferus campestris is a wood-boring longhorn beetle native to eastern Asia that has become an invasive species in North America and Europe. Adults are active from early summer, with peak abundance around 650 degree-days (base 10°C) in early July in Minnesota. The species is polyphagous, with documented reproduction on multiple hardwood species including Acer platanoides, Juglans nigra, and Malus domestica. Larvae develop in woody material and can complete development in cut branches.
Trichoplusia
Looper moths
Trichoplusia is a genus of noctuid moths in the subfamily Plusiinae, containing approximately 20 described species. The most economically significant species is Trichoplusia ni, the cabbage looper, a major agricultural pest. Larvae of this genus are characterized by their distinctive looping locomotion, resulting from reduced proleg numbers. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution with species found across multiple continents.
Trichoplusia ni
Cabbage Looper Moth, Cabbage Looper
The cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni) is a noctuid moth whose larvae are significant agricultural pests of cruciferous vegetables and other crops. The species derives its common name from the larva's distinctive looping locomotion, caused by having only two pairs of abdominal prolegs rather than the typical four. Adults are medium-sized brownish moths with a silvery figure-eight or Y-shaped marking on the forewings. The species has a broad distribution and is particularly problematic in commercial vegetable production due to its polyphagous feeding habits and capacity for rapid population growth.
Trimerotropis pallidipennis
pallidwinged grasshopper
The pallidwinged grasshopper is a moderately-sized bandwinged grasshopper with the most extensive distribution of any bandwinged grasshopper in the New World, ranging from southwestern Canada to Argentina. It inhabits desert and semidesert environments where populations undergo sporadic irruptions that can cause significant agricultural damage. The species possesses strong flight capabilities and is known for nocturnal swarming behavior attracted to artificial lights. Outbreaks are typically brief, lasting one to two years, and are associated with above-normal rainfall that promotes egg survival and nymphal development.
Trimerotropis pallidipennis
Pallid-winged Grasshopper, Pallidwinged Grasshopper
Trimerotropis pallidipennis is a moderately-sized bandwinged grasshopper with the widest distribution of any bandwinged grasshopper in the New World, ranging from southwestern Canada to Argentina. It is primarily a desert and semi-desert species that exhibits sporadic irruptive population outbreaks in western North America, during which it becomes a significant agricultural pest. The species possesses strong flight capabilities that enable long-distance dispersal and migration from deteriorating habitats. Population irruptions have been documented in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Utah, with outbreaks typically lasting one to two years.
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.
Urgleptes
Urgleptes is a genus of longhorn beetles in the subfamily Lamiinae, established by Dillon in 1956. Species in this genus are small to medium-sized cerambycids with relatively generalized morphological features. The genus has been recorded from dead wood of various hardwood trees, with at least one species (Urgleptes querci) documented from pawpaw (Asimina triloba).
Urgleptes querci
Oak Long-horned Beetle
Urgleptes querci is a species of longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, first described by Asa Fitch in 1858. It is a small to medium-sized cerambycid native to eastern North America, where it develops in dead wood of various hardwood trees. The species is highly polyphagous and has been recorded from multiple host plants including oak, pawpaw, and other deciduous trees. Adults are active during the growing season and are likely nocturnal or crepuscular, as is typical for many Lamiinae.