Ten Most Common
Insect Pests
In the Landscape
Aphids
Aphids reproduce by giving birth to live
young. Populations may increase rapidly.
Predators and parasites often lower aphid
populations within a short time.
Aphid Predators
Lady beetles and their larvae
feed on aphids, scales and
other pests.
Lacewing
Aphid Parasites
Tiny wasps lay
their eggs in
aphids.
The aphids then
bloat like the one
to the left of the
arrow and the
wasp develops
from within.
Aphid Management
brush/wash
insecticidal soap
Malathion
Merit
horticultural oil
Orthene
pyrethrins
neem
Azalea Lace Bug
The most frequently
reported insect pest
in North Carolina
landscapes. It feeds
on the undersides of
leaves causing them
to look pale.
Azalea Lace Bug
Azalea lace bugs
overwinter as eggs
inside the leaves or
as adults during
mild winters.
Azalea Lace Bug
Eggs of azalea
lacebugs are
inserted into the
leaf and then
covered with a
drop of shiny
excrement.This
protects eggs
from pesticides.
underside
Lace Bug Management
malathion
Merit
soap
Sevin
acephate
Bagworms
By midsummer,
bagworms are
much more
difficult to
control. Use a
pyrethroid then.
Bagworms are the caterpillar of a moth
that feeds from within it’s protective bag.
Bagworms
Bagworms hatch in Spring
Each year and are extremely
sensitive to pesticides in late
April and May.
Bagworms
By late summer,
the bagworms
have pupated,
and chemical
control is no
longer effective.
Picking off the
bags now
removes their
eggs before next
spring’s
generation.
Bagworm Management
Hand picking anytime
B.t. (spring)
malathion
Orthene
Sevin
pyrethroids
Conserve
Spruce Spider Mite
and Southern Red Mite
These mites actively feed during the cool seasons,
but damage doesn’t show until summer or winter.
Spruce Spider Mite
The most
frequently reported
arthropod pest in
NC landscapes. It
infests junipers
and other conifers
such as spruce, fir,
cedar and
arborvitae.
This mite’s egg
has the
characteristic stipe
(thread) projecting
from the top.
Southern Red Mite
Southern red mites
infest hollies and
other broad-leaf
evergreens. Like the
spruce spider mite,
southern red mites
do most of their
damage in the fall,
and spring.
Spider Mite Management
horticultural oil
insecticidal soap
(Treat Spring/late Fall)
Oils work well for spider
mite control in late fall
and spring. Oils also
control scale insects
and other kinds of mites.
summer symptoms
Boxwood Leafminer
Adult midges
(flies)
emerge in April.
Spraying then
should have an
impact on the
adults.
Boxwood Leafminer
Discoloration on the top is reveals
characteristic blisters on underside
of leaves.
Boxwood Leafminer Management
Orthene and
Merit
give good
control as
soil drenches.
Armored Scales
Tea scale
Euonymus scale
White peach scale
Tea Scale
blotching on upper side
scale on underside
Armored Scale Management
Horticultural oils are
good sprays for
tea scale and other
armored scale insects.
Best when applied during
crawler stage.
Tea scale
Japanese Beetle
It is not practical to try to
protect flowers with
pesticides.
Foliage can be
protected with various
pesticides.
Japanese Beetle Management
Japanese beetle
grubs live in the soil
and are the only
white grubs
susceptible to milky
spore disease. Grub
control rarely results
in plant protection.
Sevin (adult)
Neem-Away (adult)
pyrethrins (adult)
24Hr Grub Control (grub)
Merit (grub)
Milky Spore ? (grub)
Fall Webworm
Oregon State Univ.
These hairy caterpillars appear in late summer
and Fall. They prefer, persimmon, pecan, and
sourwood.
Notice that webs
are located at the
ends of branches,
contrasted to tent
caterpillars which
infest tree crotches
during the spring.
Fall Webworm
Eastern Tent
Caterpillar
Springcherry, peach,
crabapple,etc.
Fall Webworm Management
If within reach,
destroy the web
mass with a
stick. Otherwise,
a pyrethroid,
Sevin or other
product should
give adequate
control. B.t. will
work only on the
early webworms.
Fire Ants
Mounds
have “honeycombed”
tunnels.
Fire ants prefer
to nest in open
areas.
Fire Ants
Painful stings can cause pustules on the skin.
Fire Ant Management
Amdro (bait)
Black Flag (bait)
Extinguish (bait)
Over ‘n Out (bait)
Come/Get It (bait)
Sevin or
Orthene mound
drench (except
sensitive areas)
Bayer Adv. FAK
Many others
Insect notes are excellent references.
Pest Control Calendars
http://insects.ncsu.edu
Photo creditsJames Baker, NCSU
Jack Kelly Clark
Oregon State Univ.
USDA ARS
UC Davis
Prepared by
Stephen B. Bambara
Extension Entomologist
11/05