Category: Pest ID

CHRISTMAS BEETLE

Phil Ridley | Posted on December 3, 2020 |

Every year this insect emerges to defoliate eucalyptus and delight with their festive colours. But their numbers seem to have crashed in recent years. Would you be able to identify a Christmas beetle? Common name: Christmas beetle, washerwoman or king beetle (for some species) Scientific name(s): Anoplognathus spp., Family Scarabaeidae. Anoplognathus pallidicollis is the most common species in Eastern states. Description: Christmas beetles are large, slightly flattened metallic brown, yellow, green, or pink beetles up to 3 cm long. They […]

FALSE WIDOW

Phil Ridley | Posted on October 2, 2020 |

They closely resemble, and are closely related, to the notorious black widow and redback spiders. They’re commonly found inside houses, which gives rise to another of their common names, the cupboard spider. Would you be able to recognise a false widow? Common name: False widow, cupboard spider, dark comb-footed spider, and brown house spider Scientific name(s): Steatoda grossa, in the family Theridiidae Description: They are small spiders just over 1 cm in length. Females have black legs and a […]

HOUSE CENTIPEDE

Phil Ridley | Posted on August 2, 2020 |

They lurk in dark corners of your home and run with uncanny speed, and for many people they’re the stuff of nightmares – would you be able to ID a house centipede?

ANTLIONS

Phil Ridley | Posted on May 26, 2020 |

The larval stages of these insects lurk underground, hollow venomous jaws ready to kill anything that falls within range. But their adults are delicate flying insects that look nothing like their young. Would you be able to identify an Antlion?

CLICK BEETLES

Phil Ridley | Posted on March 30, 2020 |

With over 800 species in Australia alone, these insects are often found inside houses and are a favourite with children. Would you be able to identify a click beetle?

MEALYBUGS

Phil Ridley | Posted on February 3, 2020 |

Mealybugs are a common problem for gardeners. Also called unarmoured scale insects, their waxy cuticle and habit for hiding around the joins between stems and leaves make them difficult to control with insecticides. How would you control a mealybug infestation?

STINK BUGS

Phil Ridley | Posted on December 2, 2019 |

With almost 400 species in Australia, these bugs are best known for their shape and noxious chemical defences. Would you be able to recognise a stink bug? Green vegetable bug (Nezara viridula) shown above.

ASSASSIN BUGS

Phil Ridley | Posted on September 26, 2019 |

Cunning hunters with bulging eyes, a venomous beak, and a hunger for the flesh and fluids of other insects – and sometimes human blood. Would you be able to identify an Assassin Bug? Red tiger assassin bug (Havinthus rufovarius) shown above.

CASE MOTHS

Phil Ridley | Posted on July 30, 2019 |

They’re common, and widespread, and some species may be up to 15cm long – but some of these moths have never been seen as an adult, because they never leave their protective case. Would you be able to recognise a case moth?

BLUE ANT

Phil Ridley | Posted on May 31, 2019 |

Image credit: Canberra nature map under licence These ground dwelling insects have a unique diet and distinctive appearance, and can be found in gardens across much of Australia. They can also deliver a very painful sting like their more notorious relatives. Could you identify a blue ‘ant’?