Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, is a pest control practice in which two or more methods are utilized in order to achieve the desired control of a target pest or pests. In general, IPM provides effective control of the target pest(s) through monitoring of pest levels in which a threshold level has been established in [...]
Although leafhoppers typically go unnoticed, walking through infested areas of turf grass often brings attention to these tiny insects. Measuring only about 1/16th of an inch, leafhopper adults are winged and capable of flying short distances when disturbed. Immature leafhoppers are wingless; they are however capable of jumping short distances when needed, hints the name [...]
Here in Colorado, approximately 50 species of ant lions are present. In the southern portion of the United States these insects are more commonly known as doodle bugs. Adults are commonly confused with damselflies; however, their knobbed or clubbed antennae are a feature that upon close examination can easily differentiate the two. During the day, [...]
A common wood borer found on ash trees throughout Colorado, the lilac/ash borer is native to North America. Aside from ash trees, damage less commonly occurs to lilac and privet. Damage most commonly occurs in trees that have been recently transplanted or are grown in less than ideal conditions including those experiencing drought like conditions. [...]
Frequently mistaken for a giant wasp, pigeon tremex horntails are actually a non-stinging insect that begins life as a wood borer of several species of trees including silver maple, ash and elm. They have also been known to attack conifer trees in forested areas. Pigeon tremex horntails are not commonly considered as a pest that [...]
Small milkweed bugs are one of the most commonly mistaken for boxelder bugs. There are however some identifying characteristics to know the difference between the two. Boxelder bugs have a characteristic V shaped reddish-orange pattern to their wings while small milkweed bugs appear to have an X that does not quite intersect at the center [...]
Part of the Assassin Bug family, masked hunter adults are approximately 10-12mm in length. They are very dark brown to black in color and have a narrow head with a distinct beak protruding from below. Their front legs are slightly thickened in comparison to their other legs, which is an adaptation for grasping and holding [...]
False chinch bugs are small, grey to black bugs that commonly feed on plants in the mustard family. Favored plants include mustard greens, canola and radish; however, they have been known to feed on species outside of the mustard family including lettuce and potato. Overwintering adults are common on flixseed, a weed commonly associated with [...]
Four species of root weevil are established in Colorado including strawberry root weevils, lilac root weevils, black vine weevils and rough strawberry root weevils. Varying in size by species, root weevils are 1/4”-1/2” in length. Eggs are laid around the base of plants and larvae develop by pruning roots. Pupation also occurs within the soil [...]
Colorado is home to more than 10 species of crickets. Occasionally, crickets wander into homes and although they do not reproduce inside of homes, during times of high activity their chirping can be a nuisance to homeowners. Only the male crickets “sing”, attempting to attract attention of the females and during their courtship. They will [...]