These caterpillar-like pests gather in groups and threaten predators with poisonous spit, giving them their common name – spitfires. But would you be able to recognise the wasp-like adults, the sawflies?
This invasive millipede has noxious secretions to defend itself and can swarm by the millions. They can appear in such numbers they have even caused train crashes! Would you be able to identify a Portuguese millipede?
These relatives of the Tasmanian devil resemble small rats, but are perhaps best known for their bizarre sexual habits. Would you be able to identify an Antechinus?
These pests can form colonies of thousands and attack a wide range of plants – they can cover a lawn in fine silk netting and can swarm in numbers severe enough to kill a tree. Would you be able to ID a spider mite?
These insects feed on dozens of garden vegetables, ornamentals, native plants and weeds. They look like moths, jump like fleas, and their nymphs have long waxy filaments coming out of their abdomens. Would you be able to identify a passionvine hopper?
A notorious pest from a family of notorious pests, these caterpillars will feast on almost anything, and thrive on vegetables and poisonous weeds. Could you identify a cluster caterpillar?
They are easily mistaken for the funnel-web spider, mouse and even trapdoor spider. They are much more widespread than funnel-web spiders but not nearly as venomous. Would you be able to recognise a wishbone spider? (Image Credit: Cael David-Gallery, Aname comosa) Common name: Wishbone spider Scientific name(s): Family Anamidae (part of the Family Nemesiidae until very recently). Description: Wishbone spiders are easily confused for other mygalomorphs, including the funnel webs, mouse spiders, and various trapdoor spiders. Many wishbone spider species are
Most people would recognise a praying mantis (although they can be hard to spot), but would you be able to identify a mantis egg case? Common name: Praying Mantis, also known as mantids Scientific name(s): Any insect in the Order Mantodea, with over 2,400 species in about 460 genera and 33 families. There are approximately 160 species known in Australia. Description: Praying mantises are well-known enough to need little description, and are named for their upright stance and folded grasping
These pests may be living under your very roof, but will only suck your blood out of desperation. Would you be able to identify a bird mite? Common name: Bird mite Common species in Australia include the tropical bird mite (AKA starling mite) and red poultry mite (AKA roost mite). Bird mites are sometimes mistakenly called bird lice (adult mites have eight legs, lice have six legs). Scientific name(s): Family Macronyssidae, including Ornithonyssus bursa (tropical bird mite) and Dermanyssidae, including
This cockroach lives in gardens and greenhouses. The cockroaches are nearly all female, but that hasn’t stopped them spreading to many parts of the world. Would you be able to identify a Surinam cockroach?
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