Spider Mites in Shade Trees Order: Acari Family: Tetranychidae Description Spruce spider mite, Oligonychus ununguis The spruce spider mite is a native pest of spruce and juniper. Adults are dark green or black and are extremely small at around 0.6 mm in length. When...
Tent Caterpillars Order: Lepidoptera Families: Erebidae & Lasiocampidae Description Tent caterpillars, Malacosoma spp. The forest tent caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria) is commonly found in urban areas and is the most damaging of the tent-making caterpillars....
Oystershell Scale, Lepidosaphes ulmi Order: Hempitera Family: Diaspididae Description Unlike most insects, adult oystershell scales do not have legs, eyes, or antennae. Their appearance resembles a brown or grey oyster shell that is about 0.125 mm (1/8 inch) long. So...
Locust Borer, Megacyllene robiniae Order: Coleoptera Family: Cerambycidae Description Locust borer adults have brightly colored yellow markings and are about 19 mm (0.75 inch) long. The beetles also have reddish legs in addition to a “W” shaped mark on the...
Lilac Borer, Podosesia syringae Order: Lepidoptera Family: Sesiidae Description Unlike most moth species, lilac borer adults are most active during the day. They resemble paper wasps (Poilstes spp.), and this mimicry helps the moths ward off predators. Lilac borer...
