What’s Buggin’ You This Spring 2020

I see some weird things I see during my not so normal work week. I’ve got some odd pictures of insects on my phone. Thought I’d share with a description of each. Hope you enjoy.

Asian Lady Beetle
Different from a ladybug. Identifiable by the “M” shape on its more pointed head. They seem to bite by scraping or scratching the skin they land on.
Cottonwood Borer
This creepy looking insect is a type of long horned beetle and lays its eggs at the base of cottonwood, willow, or poplar trees. Most damage to trees is done by the larva. Adults can bite humans, but usually don’t. Can be 1.5 inches.
Wheel Bug
Usually identified by the saw-blade like protrusion on the back. These insects paralyze their prey by injecting enzymes that dissolve its insides. Bites to humans can be painful, similar to a wasp sting.
Pale Bordered Field Cockroach
Typically found outside in high moisture vegetation, but can find their way into a home. These don’t carry the diseases of other cockroach species.
Tiger Beetle
Closely related to the ground beetle. They can run up to 5.6 mph and crouch like a tiger to lunge at their prey.
Female Dobson Fly
The adults only live about a week and usually don’t eat anything. They can be attracted to mercaptan, the additive in propane or natural gas.
Garden Spider
These orb weavers are sometimes nicknamed Zipper Spiders due to the zig zag stabilimentum of the web. These can grow to 4cm.
Ailanthus Webworm Moth
Eats the leaves of the invasive ailanthus (tree-of-heaven) originally from China. Thought to be native of Florida. Can be found throughout the U.S. during summer months.

Published by Melisa Arnold, A.C.E.

My career in pest management began while working in a flour mill as the “in-house” technician in 2008. I am certified in multiple states. I began working full time as a fumigation-pest control tech in 2010. I achieved my Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) in 2018. I have a Master Tech certification from Kansas State University/Kansas Pest Control Association. I hold a Bat Management certification from NWCOA. Every day, I realize how much I DON’T KNOW. My goal for this blog is to share my every day experiences from the field and to make us all think outside the box for solutions to make pest control make sense.

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