Pest, Disease and Weed Identification

Insect Identification and Control

To effectively control insect pests, you first have to be able to identify them. Use Penn State Extension’s resources and learn how to manage and control a variety of pests. Find information on leaf miners, spiders, mosquitos, mites, beetles, ticks, cockroaches, termites, wasps, hornets, slugs, earwigs, grubs, aphids, lanternflies, weevils, maggots, centipedes, and stinkbugs. Learn more about integrated pest management (IPM), and its practical application in the field, the backyard, or at home.

Insect Identification

The first step in adopting an integrated pest management system is proper pest identification, whether the pests are in the home, an equine facility, garden landscape, or an agricultural setting. Pests can also be a problem in high tunnels, red clover stands, and in soybean production. Help is available from experts such as Michael Skvarla, director of the Insect Identification Lab at Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences. Alternatively, you can learn to identify, prevent, and control the most common urban pests yourself.

Some of the most common insect pests include:

  • Wood-destroying pests: Hymenoptera, such as bees, ants, and wasps, and wood-infesting beetles, subterranean termites, and other termites can cause severe damage to structural timbers in buildings.
  • Mosquitoes: You can find more than 60 species of mosquitoes in Pennsylvania. The most widespread are the common house mosquito, white-dotted mosquito, rock pool mosquito, and the eastern tree-hole mosquito.
  • Cockroaches: We commonly find three types in the US. You can control the American, Oriental, and German cockroaches by eliminating what they need to survive, such as food, water, and shelter.
  • Spiders: You can find two dangerous spiders in Pennsylvania. Both the black widow spider and the brown recluse spider have a bite that may produce serious medical implications for humans.
  • Stinkbugs: Not known for causing harm to humans, a large number of them flying around in your home can be distressing and if you squash them, they’re very smelly.
  • Leaf miners: The larvae of these insects cause the damage. They mine their way through leaves and create blisters, hence the name. Vegetables most susceptible to this type of injury include beet, spinach, and chard.
  • Tree fruit insects: The biggest issue with insects such as yellow jackets and hornets is the number of farmworkers who get stung. The general public is also at risk in farm markets and U-Pick operations.
  • Spotted lanternfly: This is an invasive species that has spread throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania and nearby states.

Insect Pest Management and Control

Insect pests can cause substantial losses to crops and other types of plants. They can also cause human and animal diseases. For many years we have been dependent on pesticides as the only method of control, which has led to insect resistance and adverse effects of the environment, natural enemies, and human health. As a result, the ideal method for insect pest management and control is Integrated Pest Management.

Integrated Pest Management follows eight fundamental principles. These are:

  • Prevention and suppression
  • Monitoring
  • Decision-making
  • Non-chemical methods
  • Pesticide selection
  • Reduced pesticide use
  • Anti-resistance strategies
  • Evaluation

A key element for all these principles is identification. There are lots of resources available for both homeowners and commercial enterprises.

For homeowners and agriculture and green-industry professionals concerned about the spotted lanternfly, Penn State Extension has created multiple identification and management resources.

There are 900 species of ticks worldwide, 25 of which you can find in Pennsylvania. Penn State Extension provides an identification service and 90% of requests relate to two of these tick species.

East subterranean termites often cause damage to the structural timbers in buildings. Understanding their life cycle and the structural and chemical methods of control means you can reduce an infestation risk.

Integrated Pest Management can also be used to identify and control ants. The methods used are less hazardous to human health, less toxic to non-target organisms, easier and more cost-effective, plus are more likely to be effective in the long-term.

Mosquitoes are another common problem. They play a role in transmitting the West Nile virus, and one effective way to control them is to reduce potential mosquito breeding sites. Reducing the number of potential nesting sites is also a key element in spider management. For stinging insects such as paper wasps and yellow jackets, insecticides provide very effective control. If you’re using restricted-use, state-limited-use pesticides and regulated herbicides you will need a pesticide applicator license.

The monitoring of insect populations is one of the eight basic principles of IPM. You can monitor certain insects in the orchard using pheromone traps.

An increasing number of insect and mite pests have developed varying resistance levels to some of the insecticides commonly used. This has led fruit growers to adopt alternative approaches such as biological control by predators, pathogens, and parasitoids.

In this section, find plentiful resources on insect pest identification and management practices.

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  1. Figure 1. High population of winter grain mites in triticale in Franklin County. (Photo by Jeremy Yeager, used with permission).
    News
    Winter Grain Mites Found in Some Triticale Fields
    Date Posted 3/8/2024
    Populations of this pest species, which appear to be becoming more common in Pennsylvania, can grow in fields planted annually with small grains.
  2. Circle trap secured to a tree. Photo: Emelie Swackhamer, Penn State
    Articles
    How to Build a Spotted Lanternfly Circle Trap
    By Emelie Swackhamer, Amy Korman, Heather L Leach, Joseph A. Francese
    It is almost time to use traps to protect your trees from spotted lanternflies. Get ready now so you can trap lots of spotted lanternflies safely.
  3. The aphids’ bodies are nearly covered by a woolly mass of long waxy fibers that gives them a whitish, mealy appearance and that are much shorter on the root-inhabiting aphids. Photo by G. Krawczyk.
    Articles
    Tree Fruit Insect Pest - Woolly Apple Aphid
    By Grzegorz (Greg) Krawczyk, Ph.D.
    The woolly apple aphid, Eriosoma lanigerum, is a widely distributed pest of apple trees, especially where its parasites have been killed by insecticides.
  4. European deer ked after dropping its wings. Photograph by Denis K. via iNaturalist, used under a CC BY-NC 4.0 Deed  license.
    Articles
    Deer Keds
    By Michael J. Skvarla
    Deer keds are biting flies that feed on blood. They usually feed on deer and elk, but sometimes bite humans. European deer keds are found in the Northeast.
  5. White-tailed deer. Photograph by Nicholas_T via Flickr, in the public domain.
    Articles
    External Parasites of Pennsylvania Deer
    By Michael J. Skvarla
    Identification and life history of external parasites of Pennsylvania deer, including blacklegged ticks, winter ticks, and deer keds.
  6. Adult beetles are ¼ inch long, dark brown with whitish patches, with four humps on their wing covers, and a protruding snout one-third its body length. Photo by G. Krawczyk.
    Articles
    Tree Fruit Insect Pest - Plum Curculio
    By Grzegorz (Greg) Krawczyk, Ph.D.
    Plum curculio, Conotrachelus nenuphar, is an injurious pest of apples, cherries, nectarines, peaches, and plums throughout the state.
  7. Source: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org
    Articles
    Tree Fruit Insect Pest - Rose Leafhopper
    By Grzegorz (Greg) Krawczyk, Ph.D.
    Rose leafhopper, Edwardsiana rosae, is a minor pest on apples in the Mid-Atlantic region. Orchards in the vicinity of multiflora rose or brambles are especially at risk.
  8. Source: Natasha Wright, Cook's Pest Control, Bugwood.org
    Articles
    Tree Fruit Insect Pest - Shothole Borer
    By Grzegorz (Greg) Krawczyk, Ph.D.
    The shothole borer, Scolytus rugulosus, sometimes called the fruit tree bark beetle, is a native of Europe but now occurs throughout the United States.
  9. Source: Ben Sale, available under creative commons license 2.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode
    Articles
    Tree Fruit Insect Pest - Spotted Tentiform Leafminer
    By Grzegorz (Greg) Krawczyk, Ph.D.
    The spotted tentiform leafminer, Phyllonorycter blancardella, affects the leaves of apple trees throughout the growing season.
  10. Source: Todd M. Gilligan and Marc E. Epstein, CSU, Bugwood.org
    Articles
    Tree Fruit Insect Pest - Variegated Leafroller
    By Grzegorz (Greg) Krawczyk, Ph.D.
    Although variegated leafroller, Platynota flavedana, is an important pest of apple in Virginia and West Virginia, it only occasionally causes damage in southern Pennsylvania.
  11. Source: Frank Peairs, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org
    Articles
    Tree Fruit Insect Pest - Western Flower Thrips
    By Grzegorz (Greg) Krawczyk, Ph.D.
    Widespread fruit loss from western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, was first observed in early 1990.
  12. Leafhopper nymphs are whitish green, smaller, and wingless, and are usually found on the undersides of older leaves.  Photo by G. Krawczyk.
    Articles
    Tree Fruit Insect Pest - White Apple Leafhopper
    By Grzegorz (Greg) Krawczyk, Ph.D.
    White apple leafhopper, Typhlocyba pomaria, was abundant in many apple orchards throughout the state until the introduction of the neonicotinoids about 10 years ago.
  13. The tufted apple bud moth is named for the tufted scales that can be seen as two or three groups on the tops of the wings. Photo by G. Krawczyk.
    Articles
    Tree Fruit Insect Pest -Tufted Apple Bud Moth
    By Grzegorz (Greg) Krawczyk, Ph.D.
    The tufted apple bud moth, Platynota idaeusalis, is a serious direct pest of apples in the five-state Cumberland-Shenandoah region of the eastern United States.
  14. Source: David Reed under a creative commons 2.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/legalcode
    Articles
    Tree Fruit Insect Pests - Cherry Fruit Fly and Black Cherry Fruit Fly
    By Grzegorz (Greg) Krawczyk, Ph.D.
    Cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis cingulata, and black cherry fruit fly, R. fausta, are found on cherry, pear, plum, and wild cherry trees.
  15. Mites feeding on leaves cause injury to the tree by removing leaf tissue. The most serious injury occurs in early summer when trees are producing fruit buds for the following season. Photo by G. Krawczyk.
    Articles
    Tree Fruit Mite Pest - European Red Mite
    By Grzegorz (Greg) Krawczyk, Ph.D.
    European red mite, Panonychus ulmi, is considered by many growers throughout Pennsylvania to be one of the most important apple pests.
  16. European Red Mite in the Home Fruit Planting
    Articles
    European Red Mite in the Home Fruit Planting
    By Grzegorz (Greg) Krawczyk, Ph.D.
    The European red mite, Panonychus ulmi, a major tree fruit pest that attacks apples, stone fruits, and pears, is considered one of the most important indirect apple pests in Pennsylvania.
  17. European Apple Sawfly in the Home Fruit Planting
    Articles
    European Apple Sawfly in the Home Fruit Planting
    By Grzegorz (Greg) Krawczyk, Ph.D.
    Since 1985, European apple sawfly (Hoplocampa testudinea) has extended its range, and is now a common pest in fruit orchards located throughout Pennsylvania.
  18. Protección de los animales de compañía contra las garrapatas en Pensilvania; Photo credit: Bigstockphoto.com
    Articles
    Protección de los animales de compañía contra las garrapatas en Pensilvania
    By Erika Machtinger, Hayley R. Springer, MS, DVM, PhD
    En Pensilvania conviven varias especies de garrapatas que pueden picar a sus mascotas. Las picaduras de garrapatas pueden irritar a usted y a su mascota, pero más importante, pueden generar problemas de salud para su mascota.
  19. A blacklegged tick on wood
    Articles
    Lyme Disease
    By Erika Machtinger, Steve Jacobs
    Important information regarding diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease, identifying ticks, what to do if bitten by a tick, and much more.
  20. Spotted Lanternfly Management Guide
    Articles
    Spotted Lanternfly Management Guide
    Publication providing comprehensive details on the spotted lanternfly, including identification and life cycle; quarantine and distribution; host range, phenology, and damage; and management.
  21. Grass-carrying wasp visiting a flower. Photograph by Louise Woodrich via iNaturalist, used under a CC BY 4.0 license.
    Articles
    Grass-Carrying Wasp
    By Michael J. Skvarla, Steve Jacobs
    Grass-carrying wasps construct nests from grass in tight areas, particularly in window tracks. They can be a minor nuisance but are easily ignored or removed if necessary.
  22. What Should You Do With Spotted Lanternfly Egg Masses?
    Articles
    What Should You Do With Spotted Lanternfly Egg Masses?
    By Grzegorz (Greg) Krawczyk, Ph.D., Heather L Leach, Lauren Briggs, Dennis Calvin
    Information about locating, identifying, and treating egg masses.
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