Aphid
(Homoptera)
Acyrthosiphum pisum
Small, soft bodied insects which cause plant damage by sucking plant fluids from leaf tissue and secreting a sticky honeydew on leaf surface. Typical damage results in wilting, yellowing leaves and leaf loss. Ants protect aphids. Broad temperature and humidity tolerance. Life cycle: ~ 30 days. |
Spider mite
(Acarina)
Tetranychus urticae
Minute red, black, or brown mites. Most prevalent is the red or "2 spotted" spider mite. Mites attack leaves, flowers and blossom ends of fruit, resulting in yellowing and drying of leaves, blotches, spots and a striped appearance. Leaves become mealy underneath and webbing may be seen. Mites reproduce best in hot, dry conditions. Life cycle: 1 - 2 weeks. |
Thrips
(Thysanoptera)
Franklinothrips tritici
Adults are small, winged, dark yellow to brown in color. Larvae are opaque, almost white. Damage results from adults and larvae piercing plant tissue with mouthparts and feeding on plant sap, leaving a window-like appearance in the leaf and along major veins. Optimal development 75° - 80°F, low humidity. Life cycle: 2 - 3 weeks. |
Greenhouse whitefly
(Homoptera)
Trialeurodes vaporariorum
Not true flies. Adults are small, winged, yellow-bodied insects. Second instar larva-pupal stages are stationary on undersides of leaf tissue, commonly referred to as "scale." Damage is caused by sucking plant fluids and depositing honeydew. Leaf appearance will be mottled and yellowish. Optimal development, 70° - 75°F, 75% - 80% humidity. Life cycle: 20 - 30 days.
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Sweetpotato whitefly
(Homoptera)
Bemisia tabaci
Small, winged; resembling greenhouse whitefly in appearance and development. Reproduces at higher rates than other whitefly species. Pupal stage is best for distinguishing from greenhouse whitefly. Damage is caused by sucking plant fluids, which turns leaves yellow to brown. They deposit honeydew, transmit viruses and plant pathogens. Much research is currently underway on this organism. |
Fungus gnat
(Diptera)
Sciaridae
Tiny, slender flies of many species, typically dark in color with long legs and Y-shaped vein in wings. Larva stage feeds on organic matter in soil and some feed on root hairs, which can lead to root rot and plant wilting. Prefer longer days and warm temperatures. Life cycle: 3 - 4 weeks. |
Oleander scale
(Homoptera)
Aspidiotus nerii
Piercing, sucking insect; sedentary, transmits plant viruses, does not produce honeydew. Known as armored scale (when "shell" is turned over using a pen knife or other instrument, scale insect will remain attached to the plant surface). Plant may turn yellow or die in heavy infestation. High nitrogen increases reproduction. Tolerates a wide range of temperature and humidity. |
Brown soft scale
(Homoptera)
Coccus hesperidum
Piercing, sucking insect; sedentary, secretes honeydew. Shell is lighter in color and somewhat flatter than other scales. Soft scale (when "shell" is turned over using a pen knife or other instrument, scale insect remains inside "shell." "Shell" is hard or harder than armored scale "shell." |
Mealy bug
(Homoptera)
Planococcus Pseudococcusspp
Small, soft bodied, sucking insects, known for the waxy, white substance that covers the body of female adults. Young and adult females feed on plant sap and secrete honeydew on leaf surface. Damage results in yellowing of leaves, stunted growth, loss of fruit or flowers. High nitrogen and overwatering plants can encourage mealy bug reproduction. Optimal development 80°F, 60% humidity. Life cycle: ~ 30 days. |
