Insect Identification
Prepared by
MA. MAVELYN CACA, Msc
Aphid
Soft bodied insects Injuries include loss of
In adult form they have plant vigor
transparent wings Stunted growth
Throughout life cycle Deformed buds and
they gradually change in flowers
Curled foliage
size
Secretion of honeydew
Numerous generations
attracts ants and
per year provides environment
Tubelike mouthparts- for sooty mold
sucking insect Vector diseases
Aphid
Stages of development in
aphids
Aphids found
feeding on plant
Aphid Top: Close up of adult aphid and
nymphal aphids.
Bottom: Adult aphid.
Bagworms
Common pest of Hatch in mid-summer
landscape plants Can defoliate branches
Prefer juniper, causing dieback
arborvitae, spruce, and Treatment levels
pine considered at 20 or more
Hard to spot early on bagworms on a plant
Difficult to treat when
they reach the bag stage
Adult female remains
caterpillar and doesn’t
leave bag
Bagworms
Bagworms are easily
identified in the bag stage,
but control becomes difficult
other than by manual
removal
Caterpillar emerging
from bag.
If bag is present
treat as bagworm,
otherwise identify
as caterpillar in
contest.
Bagworms
Dissected view of bag.
Fairly typical damage to affected
plant. Plant will more than likely
die.
Caterpillars
Caterpillars are the Affected areas:
larval stage of many Roots
moths and butterflies Stems
Long, fleshy, soft Foliage
bodied with three or Fruit
more pairs of legs Flowers/buds
Well developed toothed Injury includes:
jaws, chewing insect Tears
Different caterpillars Tunnels
feed on different plant Ragged holes
parts
Caterpillars
Caterpillars are larval stages of moths and
butterflies.
There are numerous species of caterpillars.
Identification should be based on long, soft
bodies, with no discernible bag.
Caterpillars
The life cycle of armyworms.
Japanese beetle
Characterized by One generation per year
hardened wings that meet Chewing insect
in a straight line down Larva feed on roots,
thorax and abdomen
stems, foliage, buds,
Folded second pair of
seeds, fruits, or woody
transparent wings tissue
underneath
White grub in ground
Complete change from
from August until May
wormlike larvae to
Emerge as adult beetle
immobile pupa to winged
adult
Japanese beetle
Adult stage of
Japanese
beetles
Typical damage.
Japanese beetle
Typical timetable for
development and
emergence through the
year.
Physiological
development of the
Japanese beetle.
Lacebug
Numerous species in NC Azaleas in hot and
Azalea lace bug is most sunny locations
common generally have higher
Feed on specific host populations and damage
plant, or those closely Treatment considered
related based on amount of
Injury includes: aesthetic appearance
Blotched or spotty damage tolerated
appearance on upper
side of leaves
Premature leaf drop
Lacebug
Top left and right: Lacebugs can come
in various sizes and species, but all
exhibit the transparency in the wings.
(close up photographs)
What the typical infestation may
look like. Lacebugs are tiny
winged insects that can be
difficult to see.
Lacebug
Development of lacebugs.
Example of damage by
lacebugs.
Mealybugs
Small, oval insect Injury includes:
Resembles small bit of Stunted growth
wax or wool Yellow growth
Soft bodied, covered (chlorosis)
Wilted growth
with white powder and
Deformed growth
cottony fibers
Also transmit disease
Gradual change through
agents
development Similar damage in
Numerous generations
aphids and scale insects
per year
Mealybugs
Mealybugs have a white, cottony
appearance, and can be spotted
on plants easily if there is enough
contrast. However, can be
confused on some plants.
Mealybugs
Scale
Small, oval shaped Adult males resemble
insect tiny flies with a singular
Resembles reptile scales pair of wings
Easily mistaken for a Gradual change through
part of plant development
Can be soft bodied or be Adult males do not have
armored with crusty mouthparts or feed
shell Nymphs and adult
Adult females are females are sucking
wingless and stationary insects
Scale
Scales can be oval
shaped or slightly
elongated.
Scales can secrete
honeydew that attracts
ants and can create
favorable conditions for
sooty mold.
Scale
Elongated scales.
Bottom: Development of
scales.
Spider mites
Numerous species Can kill woody plants, if
Arachnids rather than given enough time
insects (related to spiders) Dry conditions favor
Range in color from red spider mites
and yellow to green and Two spotted spider mites
brown are most important
Extract sap from cells Attacks wide range of
hosts
Causes speckled
Vegetables
appearance Shrubs
Can kill herbaceous plants Evergreens (spruce spider
mite)
quickly if left unchecked Turfgrass (clover spider mite)
Spider mites
Spider mites are related to
spiders, ticks, and other
arachnids. Small webs can
be made by spider mites.
Spider mites
Two spotted spider mite and Life
cycle.
Thrips
Thin, tiny insects Injury includes:
Four narrow fringed Discoloration
wings as adults Distorted flowers
Gradual change in Buds gray or speckled
development Fruits and foliage with
Rasping insects speckling
Attack surface tissue of: May attack every type
Tender buds of agricultural crop
Flowers
Fruits
leaves
Thrips Thrips have a distinct body shape in
adult stages.
Thrips
Various species of thrips.
Whether there is 1 or more
than 1, the term “thrips” is
always used, not thrip.
White fly
Tiny, soft bodied insects Sucking insects
Covered in white, waxy Secrete honeydew
powder Attack outdoor crops in
Adults have two pairs of South as well as
wings, look like tiny greenhouse crops
white moths (poinsettias)
Gradual change
throughout development
Numerous generations
per year
White fly
Top left: Close up of a whitefly.
Top right: Numerous whiteflies
infect a plant.
Bottom left: Signs of whitefly
infestation.
White fly
Top left: White fly damage on
poinsettia.
Bottom right: Development of whitefly.
References
US EPA Agricultural Pest Control – Plants Manual
North Carolina Nursery and Landscape Association
Certified Plant Professional Study Guide. By: Dr.
Barbara Fair.
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