Pest Identification

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Pest Identification Presentations

Pest Identification Publications

Pest Identification Shorts

Pest Identification Presentations

Aug 2019

Blister Beetles – A Challenge for Arizona’s Growers

Presentation (PDF, 781KB)

Authors: W. Eugene Hall, Peter C. Ellsworth, Leif Abrell, Naomi Pier, Duarte Diaz

Location Presented: University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Conference, Tucson, AZ August 2019
Mar 2010

The Bagrada Bug, a New Invasive Pest of Cole Crops

Presentation (PDF, 1.78MB)

Authors: John Palumbo

Location Presented: Yuma Ag Center
Jan 2008

Turfgrass Insect Pests IPM

Presentation (PDF, 1.73MB)

Authors: Kai Umeda and Gabriel Towers
Jan 2008

Weed Identification and Control

Presentation (PDF, 2.4MB)

Authors: Kelly Young

Location Presented: Maricopa County
Oct 2007

Weed Identification and Proper Herbicide Selection

Presentation (PDF, 5.64MB)

Authors: Kai Umeda
Jan 2006

Plant Bugs (Lygus spp.)

Presentation (PDF, 1.2 MB)

Authors: Ellsworth, P.

Location Presented: Presented at Producer's Conference of the Beltwide Cotton Conferences, San Antonio, TX.

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Pest Identification Publications

Nov 2024

Diagnostic Resources for Pests and Beneficial Insects on Specialty Crops

Publication (PDF, 1.4MB)

Authors: Gene Hall, Davide Bergamaschi, John Palumbo, Peter Ellsworth, Carlos Martinez, Isadora Bordini, Naomi Pier, Wendy Moore

Arizona is home to extremely insect diversity, with minimal estimates of 20,000 species in our state. Many pest and beneficial species occur on specialty crops, thus being of economic importance to Arizona stakeholders and crop production. Accurate species identification is essential to select best control methods, and knowing which species are beneficial for controlling pest species helps maintain a natural balance of interactions within crop fields.
Oct 2023

Arizona IPM Outcomes 2023. Report to the WERA 1017 Regional Coordinating Committee

Publication (1.28MB)

Authors: Al Fournier, Dawn Gouge, Shujuan Li, Peter Ellsworth

Recent impacts of APMC IPM Programs. Topics include savings to growers from thrips and Lygus resistant ThryvOn Cotton, a project to reduce use of the riskiest pesticides throughout US cotton, collaborations with tribal growers and communities to protect public health, and more.
Jun 2019

Biology and Management of Thrips

Publication (PDF, 2.9MB)

Authors: Shimat V. Joseph, Kris Braman, Will Hudson, and Shakunthala Nair

Thrips are tiny, cigar-shaped insects belonging to the order Thysanoptera, whose name refers to the fringed wings of insects in this order. About 5000 species of thrips are known, and many cause damage to cultivated plants by feeding or vectoring plant diseases. Some thrips are predatory. This document relays information about thrips.
May 2019

Blister Beetles in Food?

Publication (PDF, 7 MB)

Authors: W. Eugene Hall, Lydia M. Brown, Naomi Pier, and Peter C. Ellsworth

Blister beetles produce a toxic compound called cantharidin, which can be lethal to horses and unpleasant to humans and other animals. This publication provides guidelines to help growers avoid blister beetle contamination.
May 2019

Blister Beetle Basics

Publication (PDF, 4.71MB)

Authors: W. Eugene Hall, Naomi Pier, and Peter C. Ellsworth

A guide to recognizing Arizona’s diverse blister beetles and how to distinguish them from other similar beetle species.
Apr 2019

Lettuce Aphid on Late Season Produce - 2019

Publication (PDF, 1.1MB)

Authors: John C. Palumbo

This article describes the Lettuce Aphid. It covers it's physical description, economic damage, insecticidal control, and methods for identifying this insect. Very little has been reported about Lettuce Aphids under desert conditions.
Mar 2019

Foxglove Aphids on Desert Produce 2019

Publication (PDF, 371KB)

Authors: John C. Palumbo

This article describes the Lettuce Aphid. It covers it's physical description, economic damage, insecticidal control, and methods for identifying this insect.
Mar 2019

Arizona Kissing Bugs

Publication (PDF, 1.3MB)

Authors: Shujuan Li, Dawn H. Gouge, Shakunthala Nair, Alfred J. Fournier, and W. Eugene Hall

Kissing bugs are true bugs in the insect Order Hemiptera, in the Family Reduviidae. Reduviids as a family, are sometimes called assassin bugs because most members of this family are predators of other arthropods and are in fact beneficial to humans. Kissing bugs are an exception, and are blood-feeding parasites that feed on a wide variety of domestic, wild animals, and occasionally humans. Kissing bugs are also known as conenose bugs, Triatomine bugs, Mexican bed bugs, and Wallapai tigers. Kissing bugs get their name because they often bite sleeping human victims on the face. Although kissing bugs are in the same insect order as bed bugs and both feed on blood, they have different life histories.
Feb 2018

Foxglove Aphids on Desert Produce 2018

Publication (PDF, 360KB)

Authors: John C. Palumbo

This article describes the Lettuce Aphid. It covers it's physical description, economic damage, insecticidal control, and methods for identifying this insect.
Oct 2017

Aphid Identification on Desert Lettuce

Publication (PDF, 1.68MB)

This documents contains an in depth guide to identifying Aphids most commonly found in Arizona produce. There are many images present to aid in identification. Aphid types include: Lettuce Aphid, Foxglove Aphid, Green peach Aphid, and Potato Aphid.
Mar 2017

Liriomyza Leafminer Management on Desert Melons

Publication (PDF, 371KB)

Vegetable Leafminer, and American Serpentine Leafminer pests are often mistaken for one another. They attack a wide range of over 50 host crops. This article describes their economic damage, their development, and ways to help manage their population. Pictures are also added to aid in identification.
Feb 2017

Seed Corn Maggot in Spring Melons 2017

Publication (PDF, 397KB)

Authors: John C. Palumbo

This article gives a description of the seed corn maggot, which commonly attacks the seeds of spring melons. The type of damage that often occurs is described, along with several management tips to help reduce the population and risk from these maggots.
Jan 2017

Foxglove Aphids on Desert Produce 2017

Publication (PDF, 536KB)

Authors: John C. Palumbo

This article describes the Lettuce Aphid. It covers it's physical description, economic damage, insecticidal control, and methods for identifying this insect.
Nov 2016

Aphid Identification on Desert Lettuce 2016

Publication (PDF, 1.68MB)

This documents contains an in depth guide to identifying Aphids most commonly found in Arizona produce. There are many images present to aid in identification. Aphid types include: Lettuce Aphid, Foxglove Aphid, Green peach Aphid, and Potato Aphid.
Jan 2016

Seed Corn Maggot in Spring Melons 2016

Publication (PDF, 397KB)

Authors: John C. Palumbo

This article gives a description of the seed corn maggot, which commonly attacks the seeds of spring melons. The type of damage that often occurs is described, along with several management tips to help reduce the population and risk from these maggots.
Nov 2015

Aphid Identification on Desert Lettuce 2015

Publication (PDF, 1.68MB)

This documents contains an in depth guide to identifying Aphids most commonly found in Arizona produce. There are many images present to aid in identification. Aphid types include: Lettuce Aphid, Foxglove Aphid, Green peach Aphid, and Potato Aphid.
Jul 2015

Preparing Your School IPM Plan – July 2015

Publication (PDF, 2.09MB)

Featuring School IPM Plan and Giant Mesquite Bugs. Resources for preparing your School IPM plan are given. Giant Mesquite Bugs are impressively sized bugs, but pose no significant risk to humans or plants. They do not have a venomous bite or sting.
Feb 2015

Foxglove Aphids on Desert Produce 2015

Publication (PDF, 1.07MB)

Authors: John C. Palumbo

This article describes the Lettuce Aphid. It covers it's physical description, economic damage, insecticidal control, and methods for identifying this insect.
Nov 2014

Aphid Identification in Produce

Publication (PDF, 1.0MB)

This documents contains an in depth guide to identifying Aphids most commonly found in Arizona produce. There are many images present to aid in identification. Aphid types include: Lettuce Aphid, Foxglove Aphid, Green peach Aphid, and Potato Aphid.
Oct 2013

Aphid Identification on Desert Lettuce 2013

Publication (PDF, 221KB)

This documents contains an in depth guide to identifying Aphids most commonly found in Arizona produce. There are many images present to aid in identification. Aphid types include: Lettuce Aphid, Foxglove Aphid, Green peach Aphid, and Potato Aphid.

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Pest Identification Shorts

Sep 2023

Understanding the Western Grapeleaf Skeletonizer: Management in Commercial Vineyards (PDF, 2 MB)

The Western grapeleaf skeletonizer is an important pest of grapes in Arizona. With the increase in acreage under grapes in the state, there is need for resources to help growers in managing important pests. This IPM Short provides concise information on identification and management of this pest.
Dec 2022

Agave Plant Bugs (PDF, 2 MB)

Agaves are beautiful and hardy desert plants, that have a conspicuous presence in Arizona landscapes. They are especially valued for their diversity of forms and colors. Agaves face relatively few pest problems, compared to other landscape plants. The most significant pest is the agave snout weevil, Scyphophorus acupunctatus. Another important, but often overlooked pest is the agave mite or grease mite, Oziella sp. The other tiny bug that scurries around on the agave leaves often goes unnoticed. These minute insects are agave plant bugs. They are easier to detect and cause less damage compared to the other two pests, but can sometimes become a problem.
May 2021

Resistant Palmer Amaranth Control - Best Management Practices (PDF, 2 MB)

Palmer amaranth (careless weed or pigweed) is a plant native to the desert southwest that has developed resistance to multiple herbicide mechanisms of action (MOAs). In multiple crops, in all major Arizona agricultural areas, Palmer amaranth resistant to glyphosate and ALS inhibitors (e.g., Staple®) can be found. A diversity of control tactics are needed to manage herbicide resistant Palmer amaranth.
May 2021

First Detection of Pecan Bud Moth in Arizona (PDF, 8 MB)

The Pecan Bud Moth, a species of leaf roller moth, has recently been observed in southeastern Arizona pecan orchards. This is the first time growers have reported this pest and expressed concerns about potential impacts to the crop. This rapid communication is designed to provide what we know about this potential pest. Growers are encouraged to review this information with their pest control advisor to determine what action, if any, is required.
Apr 2021

Potential Pest of Arizona Pecans: Rapid Communication (PDF, 4 MB)

A mirid plant bug has been observed in high numbers on the catkins of some central Arizona pecan orchards. Multiple growers report this for the first time and have expressed concerns about potential impacts to the crop. This rapid communication is designed to provide the limited knowledge we have about this potential pest. Growers are encouraged to review this information with their pest control advisor to determine what action, if any, is required.

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