Japanese Beetles
Adult Japanese beetles are about 1/2 inch long, metallic green in color with copper/brown wing covers. They emerge from the ground and begin feeding on plants in June. They feed in groups devouring leaves, flowers and overripe or wounded fruit, starting at the top of the plant and working downward. Plants likely to be attacked include, Roses, Rose-of-Sharon, American Elm, English Elm, Mountain Ash, Gray Birch, Norway Maple and Japanese Maple.
Adult Japanese beetles are about 1/2 inch long, metallic green in color with copper/brown wing covers. They emerge from the ground and begin feeding on plants in June. They feed in groups devouring leaves, flowers and overripe or wounded fruit, starting at the top of the plant and working downward. Plants likely to be attacked include, Roses, Rose-of-Sharon, American Elm, English Elm, Mountain Ash, Gray Birch, Norway Maple and Japanese Maple.
ASIAN LADYBUG
Length 1/4 - 3/8" Adults typically with pronotum black with wide ivory lateral/side margins and basal median mark yielding dark M shaped pattern, elytra mustard yellow to dark reddish orange, each usually with several black spots but spots sometimes indistinct or absent.
Length 1/4 - 3/8" Adults typically with pronotum black with wide ivory lateral/side margins and basal median mark yielding dark M shaped pattern, elytra mustard yellow to dark reddish orange, each usually with several black spots but spots sometimes indistinct or absent.
WEEVEL
Weevil_close-up
BOXELDER BUG
"Length ½” The box elder bug is a black, winged insect that has 3 red stripes running lengthwise down the body. There are red veins in the wings and the abdomen underneath the wings is bright red. The immature insects, or nymphs, are wingless, smaller and rounder than the adults, and bright red in color. The box elder bugs are commonly found on the box elder tree but are often found congregating on the south side of buildings on warm days. They overwinter in cracks and crevices around the home, door and window frames, casings, in tree holes, etc."
"Length ½” The box elder bug is a black, winged insect that has 3 red stripes running lengthwise down the body. There are red veins in the wings and the abdomen underneath the wings is bright red. The immature insects, or nymphs, are wingless, smaller and rounder than the adults, and bright red in color. The box elder bugs are commonly found on the box elder tree but are often found congregating on the south side of buildings on warm days. They overwinter in cracks and crevices around the home, door and window frames, casings, in tree holes, etc."
CAMEL CRICKET
"Length: ½″ – 1¼″ The camel cricket is light to dark brown in color, and may have lighter or darker mottled areas. It has a humpback and long, threadlike antenna that are much longer than the body. The camel cricket is typically found outdoors around buildings under mulch, stones, woodpiles, and other cool, moist areas. Indoors they may be found in basements, utility rooms, crawl spaces, garages, etc. The camel cricket is nocturnal and will move indoors when it gets too hot and dry for them outdoors."
"Length: ½″ – 1¼″ The camel cricket is light to dark brown in color, and may have lighter or darker mottled areas. It has a humpback and long, threadlike antenna that are much longer than the body. The camel cricket is typically found outdoors around buildings under mulch, stones, woodpiles, and other cool, moist areas. Indoors they may be found in basements, utility rooms, crawl spaces, garages, etc. The camel cricket is nocturnal and will move indoors when it gets too hot and dry for them outdoors."
CENTIPEDE
"Length ⅛”–6” These long, wormlike creatures are usually yellowish to dark brown in color and may have darker stripes or markings. The first pair of their legs have been modified into clawlike “poison jaws”. They have anywhere from 15 to 177 pairs of legs, with 1 pair of legs on each segment. All centipedes have venom that is used to kill prey. The larger species can bite humans resulting in a painful, bee-like sting. They are typically found in damp areas such as under mulch, grass clippings, rotting logs, stones, etc. They may occasionally make their way indoors, feeding on spiders, flies, and other insects. When a centipede is found in the house, it is usually in the basement or bathroom."
"Length ⅛”–6” These long, wormlike creatures are usually yellowish to dark brown in color and may have darker stripes or markings. The first pair of their legs have been modified into clawlike “poison jaws”. They have anywhere from 15 to 177 pairs of legs, with 1 pair of legs on each segment. All centipedes have venom that is used to kill prey. The larger species can bite humans resulting in a painful, bee-like sting. They are typically found in damp areas such as under mulch, grass clippings, rotting logs, stones, etc. They may occasionally make their way indoors, feeding on spiders, flies, and other insects. When a centipede is found in the house, it is usually in the basement or bathroom."
CLOVER MITE
"Length 1/64” These tiny arachnids are rusty brown to dark red in color and can be identified by their 2 long front legs. They are completely harmless and do not bite or sting, infest stored products, or do harm to plants. Clover mites can be an annoyance due to the large numbers. Clover mites only reproduce outdoors, therefore every clover mite found indoors came in from the outside. They feed on plant saps and are especially numerous in healthy, well-fertilized lawns. Crushing these pests can result in a dark brown or red stain."
"Length 1/64” These tiny arachnids are rusty brown to dark red in color and can be identified by their 2 long front legs. They are completely harmless and do not bite or sting, infest stored products, or do harm to plants. Clover mites can be an annoyance due to the large numbers. Clover mites only reproduce outdoors, therefore every clover mite found indoors came in from the outside. They feed on plant saps and are especially numerous in healthy, well-fertilized lawns. Crushing these pests can result in a dark brown or red stain."
COMMON BLACK GROUND BEETLE
Length 1/16 - 1 3/8" Elongated body, somewhat flattened in form. Color is usually black and shiney. Ground beetles are terrestrial and typically found on the ground, usually under something such as stones during the day time. They typically enter structures by crawling under door thresholds or will fly in through open doors, windows, ect.
Length 1/16 - 1 3/8" Elongated body, somewhat flattened in form. Color is usually black and shiney. Ground beetles are terrestrial and typically found on the ground, usually under something such as stones during the day time. They typically enter structures by crawling under door thresholds or will fly in through open doors, windows, ect.
FIELD CRICKET
"Length: ½″ – 1⅛″ The field cricket is usually black in color, but can also be brownish yellow to yellow. They tend to live outdoors around woodpiles, under mulch, plant beds, and other moist environments. Their presence is often detected by the males loud chirping, which can be heard during both day and night. The field cricket can cause extensive damage to crops such as alfalfa, wheat, oats, rye, tomatoes, beans, etc. Besides crops, they will also feed on other insects and crickets."
"Length: ½″ – 1⅛″ The field cricket is usually black in color, but can also be brownish yellow to yellow. They tend to live outdoors around woodpiles, under mulch, plant beds, and other moist environments. Their presence is often detected by the males loud chirping, which can be heard during both day and night. The field cricket can cause extensive damage to crops such as alfalfa, wheat, oats, rye, tomatoes, beans, etc. Besides crops, they will also feed on other insects and crickets."
ASIAN LADYBUG 6
GROUND BEETLE 1
HARVESTMEN AND GRAND DADDY LONGLEG
Length 1/16 - 1/2" Grand Daddy Longlegs have compact, oval body with 4 pairs of legs, the second pair being the longest. Females deposit their eggs in the ground, under stones, or in crevices of of wood. Daddy Longlegs feed on insects and spiders.
Length 1/16 - 1/2" Grand Daddy Longlegs have compact, oval body with 4 pairs of legs, the second pair being the longest. Females deposit their eggs in the ground, under stones, or in crevices of of wood. Daddy Longlegs feed on insects and spiders.
HOUSE CENTIPEDE
"Length 1”–1 ½” The house centipede is a long, flattened arthropod with a grayish yellow body, 3 dark lines running lengthwise down the segmented body, and long, slender legs. There are 15 pairs of legs, with one pair on each segment. House centipedes prefer damp places such as basements, bathrooms, closets, underneath houses, and beneath firewood. They feed on small insects, spiders, and insect larvae but are usually considered as pests instead of beneficial. The house centipede can bite but is considered harmless to people."
"Length 1”–1 ½” The house centipede is a long, flattened arthropod with a grayish yellow body, 3 dark lines running lengthwise down the segmented body, and long, slender legs. There are 15 pairs of legs, with one pair on each segment. House centipedes prefer damp places such as basements, bathrooms, closets, underneath houses, and beneath firewood. They feed on small insects, spiders, and insect larvae but are usually considered as pests instead of beneficial. The house centipede can bite but is considered harmless to people."
LADYBUG
Length 1/4 - 3/8" Adults typically with pronotum black with wide ivory lateral/side margins and basal median mark yielding dark M shaped pattern, elytra mustard yellow to dark reddish orange, each usually with several black spots but spots sometimes indistinct or absent.
Length 1/4 - 3/8" Adults typically with pronotum black with wide ivory lateral/side margins and basal median mark yielding dark M shaped pattern, elytra mustard yellow to dark reddish orange, each usually with several black spots but spots sometimes indistinct or absent.
PILL BUG
"Length: ¼″–⅝″ The pillbug is gray in color and gets the common nickname “roly-poly” because they roll up tightly into a ball when disturbed. The pillbug has 7 pairs of visible legs. They need moisture to survive so usually remain hidden under objects to prevent water loss. They may be found under leaf piles, mulch, rocks, trash, grass clippings, and other decaying vegetation. Pillbugs may occasionally make their way indoors on the ground level, indication a large population outdoors, but they don’t survive indoors very long due to the drier environment."
"Length: ¼″–⅝″ The pillbug is gray in color and gets the common nickname “roly-poly” because they roll up tightly into a ball when disturbed. The pillbug has 7 pairs of visible legs. They need moisture to survive so usually remain hidden under objects to prevent water loss. They may be found under leaf piles, mulch, rocks, trash, grass clippings, and other decaying vegetation. Pillbugs may occasionally make their way indoors on the ground level, indication a large population outdoors, but they don’t survive indoors very long due to the drier environment."
SCORPION
"Length: 2″ – 4″ Scorpions are occasionally found in the central Missouri area. They are yellowish brown to tan with 2 brown or reddish brown stripes funning lengthwise down the back (except on the tail). While their pinchers may look formidable, their tail is the area to avoid. They have the ability to sting with their tails, and while the sting is comparable to a mild wasp sting, some people may have fatal allergic reactions. Scorpions are nocturnal and feed on insects, spiders, and other scorpions. During the day, scorpions may be found under rocks, logs, or in a burrow. In homes, they may be found in air conditioning ducts, crawl spaces, attics, sinks, or bath tubs. Pant pockets, folded blankets, and shoes also provide good hiding places for scorpions indoors."
"Length: 2″ – 4″ Scorpions are occasionally found in the central Missouri area. They are yellowish brown to tan with 2 brown or reddish brown stripes funning lengthwise down the back (except on the tail). While their pinchers may look formidable, their tail is the area to avoid. They have the ability to sting with their tails, and while the sting is comparable to a mild wasp sting, some people may have fatal allergic reactions. Scorpions are nocturnal and feed on insects, spiders, and other scorpions. During the day, scorpions may be found under rocks, logs, or in a burrow. In homes, they may be found in air conditioning ducts, crawl spaces, attics, sinks, or bath tubs. Pant pockets, folded blankets, and shoes also provide good hiding places for scorpions indoors."
SLUG
Length 1-8" Soft body that lacks segmentation, with one pair of conspicuous upper tentacles usually bearing eyes near the tip. Color varies from a dull brown or gray.
Length 1-8" Soft body that lacks segmentation, with one pair of conspicuous upper tentacles usually bearing eyes near the tip. Color varies from a dull brown or gray.
SPRINGTAIL
"Length 1/32”–⅛” Springtails are usually whitish or gray in color and get their names from their ability to jump or “spring” 3-4”. They are a nuisance pest that is attracted to areas of high moisture. They live in the soil and can number as much as 50,000 per cubic foot. They may enter homes when it becomes too dry for them to survive outside. The springtail can enter the home through screens, around doors, on potted plants, etc. They feed on fungi, algae, lichens, decaying vegetation, etc. When an infestation is indoors, they may be found in bathrooms, kitchens, basements, crawlspaces, and other damp areas. Outdoors they may be found under mulch, leaf litter, firewood, and other high moisture areas."
"Length 1/32”–⅛” Springtails are usually whitish or gray in color and get their names from their ability to jump or “spring” 3-4”. They are a nuisance pest that is attracted to areas of high moisture. They live in the soil and can number as much as 50,000 per cubic foot. They may enter homes when it becomes too dry for them to survive outside. The springtail can enter the home through screens, around doors, on potted plants, etc. They feed on fungi, algae, lichens, decaying vegetation, etc. When an infestation is indoors, they may be found in bathrooms, kitchens, basements, crawlspaces, and other damp areas. Outdoors they may be found under mulch, leaf litter, firewood, and other high moisture areas."
WEEVIL
"Length ⅛”–7/16” There are many different species of weevils. They have a very hard shelled oval shaped body with a head that is prolonged into a snout. Some species enter buildings in the fall to overwinter while others enter in the spring to avoid unfavorable weather conditions. Positive species identification usually requires an expert. Some species are the black vine weevil which feeds on a variety of plants, the Asiatic oak weevil that feeds on woody plants, the imported longhorn weevil, the strawberry root weevil, and the tuliptree weevil."
"Length ⅛”–7/16” There are many different species of weevils. They have a very hard shelled oval shaped body with a head that is prolonged into a snout. Some species enter buildings in the fall to overwinter while others enter in the spring to avoid unfavorable weather conditions. Positive species identification usually requires an expert. Some species are the black vine weevil which feeds on a variety of plants, the Asiatic oak weevil that feeds on woody plants, the imported longhorn weevil, the strawberry root weevil, and the tuliptree weevil."
millipede
"Length 1/16”–4 ½” Millipedes are wormlike and are usually black or brown in color, but some species may have red and orange mottled patterns. Commonly called “thousand-leggers”, the millipede can have anywhere from 30-90+ pairs of legs. They are scavengers and feed on decaying organic matter, therefore they are usually found in areas such as under trash, mulch, leaf litter, etc. Millipedes can occasionally be found indoors in basements, cellars, etc. but usually die within a couple of days due to the lack of moisture and food."
"Length 1/16”–4 ½” Millipedes are wormlike and are usually black or brown in color, but some species may have red and orange mottled patterns. Commonly called “thousand-leggers”, the millipede can have anywhere from 30-90+ pairs of legs. They are scavengers and feed on decaying organic matter, therefore they are usually found in areas such as under trash, mulch, leaf litter, etc. Millipedes can occasionally be found indoors in basements, cellars, etc. but usually die within a couple of days due to the lack of moisture and food."
