Insect pests

  • Pepper weevil

    Round brown bug with white flecks on its body. It rests on a green bell pepper bud.

    Anthonomus eugenii (Cano) Author: David Riley, Professor, University of Georgia, 2018 Description Immature stages: Eggs are oval and white when first deposited in the flower or fruit wall. They can only be found if the plant is dissected. Larvae are the grub type and are white to grayish with a yellowish brown head. They lack…

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  • Squash bug

    A teardrop-shaped grey-brown bug resting on top of a leaf.

    Anasa tristis (DeGeer) Author: Integrated Pest Management Program, University of Georgia, 2020 Description Immature stages: Eggs are deposited on underside of leaves, but can occasionally be found on upper surface or on leaf petioles. The eggs are elliptical, somewhat flattened and bronze in color. The average egg is 1.5 mm long and 1.1 mm wide.…

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  • Written by: Ash Sial, Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, 2025 Scales are a large group of insects (superfamily Coccoidea) in order Hemiptera that are minute to small in size and sexually dimorphic – males and females are distinctly different in appearance (Daly et al. 1998). They have unusual lifecycle; females have incomplete metamorphosis (egg-immatures-adult),…

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  • Small hive beetle

    A honeycomb full of small, black, circular bugs.

    Aethina tumida Authors: Dr. Keith Delaplane, Dr. Lewis J. Bartlett, & Jennifer Berry, Entomologists, University of Georgia, 2022 Description Immature stages: Though they occupy the same hives, small hive beetle eggs are smaller than honey bee eggs, often laid in disorganized clumps in crevices of hives or in suitable food. Larvae are elongated, whitish grubs…

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  • Hemlock woolly adelgid

    A green pine branch with white, woolly masses gathered around the base of its needles.

    Adelges tsugae (Annand) Authors: Mark Abney, Benjamin Aigner, Entomologists, University of Georgia, 2022 Karla Addesso, Tennessee State University, and Elizabeth Benton, Jason Oliver, University of Georgia, 2019 Description Immature stages: The eggs of the hemlock wooly adelgid, or HWA, are brownish-orange and darken as they mature. They are laid underneath a white, woolly secretion that…

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  • A close-up of a cluster of honey bees crawling on a piece of honey comb. The background is blurred.

    Authors: Elmer Gray, Research Professional IV, University of Georgia and Jennifer A Berry, Adjunct Professor, Entomology, University of Georgia Sydney Weigand (Ed.), 2025 Most Georgia residents are well-aware of how annoying mosquitoes can be. Not only do they deter us from participating in our favorite outdoor activities, they can spread serious diseases like West Nile…

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  • Cattle horn fly

    Adult horn fly on beige background. It is about 4mm long, brown, and has large brown eyes and wings.

    Haematobia irritans (Linnaeus) Author: Nancy Hinkle, Extension Veterinary Entomologist, University of Georgia, 2021 Description Immature stages: Eggs are tan, yellow or white then turn into a reddish-brown color prior to hatching. Eggs are oval and concave on one side and convex on the other, approximately 1.2 mm long. Newly hatched maggots are white, about 1.5 mm…

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  • Ashfaq A. Sial1, James Jacobs2, Zack Williams3, and Will Brown41Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, 2University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, Pierce County, Blackshear, GA 31516, 3University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, Bacon County, Alma, GA 31510, 4University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, Appling County, Alma, GA 31510 Identification and Biology Flower thrips are chronic…

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  • Hoplolaimus spp. Importance: Plant-parasitic nematodes belonging to the genus Hoplolaimus are commonly called lance nematodes. These nematodes are primarily migratory ectoparasites meaning they feed externally on the roots. Lance nematodes are known to cause damage to a wide variety of field crops (cotton, soybean, corn, peanuts etc.), fruit trees (apples, citrus, peaches, mango, bananas etc.), vegetables (Peas, cabbage,…

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