A: Spiders of the family Theridiidae, or “cobweb spiders” are responsible for many of the loose, haphazard looking webs found in the corners of houses, barns, and sheds. The common house spider, Achaearanea tepidariorum (C.L. Koch), may be… Read More
A: Florida has two yellowjackets: eastern yellowjacket, Vespula maculifrons and the southern yellowjacket, Vespula squamosa. One species of hornet is also present: the baldfaced hornet, Dolichovespula maculata. The baldfaced hornet is actually a yellowjacket. It receives its common… Read More
A: The Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus, is the most widely distributed and most economically important of the termite species. The Formosan subterranean termite (FST) acquired its name because it was first described in Taiwan in the early… Read More
A: I appreciate you bringing in a sample to the Extension office of the insect. There are a few easy ways to look at the insect to determine if it is an ant or termite. The most obvious… Read More
Q: Family members told me about a new stink bug which has been found in Virginia. She said it has been found indoors in huge numbers. Do we need to be worried? A: The insect is most likely… Read More
Q. My son brought me this green bug and I have no idea if it is good or bad. It was about the size of my index fingernail and he found it in my vegetable garden. Can you… Read More
Q: I have an old bonsai and I have found tiny white insects all over the soil. Whenever I go near the soil and disturb anything they jump all over the place. Otherwise I never see them. What… Read More
Q: Last evening, I had a beautiful penta plant and this morning it was 75% stripped. Close examination identified two caterpillars which are about 3″ long, 1/2″ diameter, primary upper (top) body color earthy-brown-green (dark) with highlights consisting… Read More
Q: We have been troubled with a bug our pesticide company has identified as a sowbug. My pesticide company has been to our home 3 times so far to spray and they cannot seem to get rid of… Read More
A: The insect may be a scale insect called the cycad aulacaspis scale, Aulacaspis yasumatsui. It apparently originated from Thailand but it is kept in check overseas by local parasitoids. Of course, here in the U.S. this scale… Read More
