Order Dermaptera

Earwigs

Earwigs

Earwigs Order Dermaptera Simple

metamorphosis Chewing mouthpartsLarge pincers on

abdomenSome are

predaceousSome detritivores

Earwigs

LocationsFound in cool damp areas under boards, concrete, ground liter, etc.Occasionally indoors

DamageFeeds on ripe fruitVegetable gardens

Controls (chemical, biological, IPM)Various insecticides

Earwigs

Order Isoptera

Termites

Termites

Order Isoptera Simple

metamorphosisChewing mouthpartsLocationsSome nest in soilSome nest in trees

and wooden structures

Termites

DamageSever damage to

wooden structures from feeding and tunneling

Controls (chemical, biological, IPM)

Insecticidal soil drenching

Fumigation Sprays and dusts

Termites

Reproductive stage is “on the wing”Winged stage referred to alates Three types of termitesSubterranean typeDrywood typeDampwood type

Subterranean Termites

Lives in the soilActive after rainsTunnels along the grainLives in a caste systemHuge colonies

Black/brown reproductivesLives in earthen tunnelsControlSoil drench injections

Drywood Termites

Attacks sound woodTunnels across the grainActive after rainsLives in smaller colonies than

subterranean typesReproductives are lighter red/brownRequires fumigation to control

Dampwood Termites

Attacks rotting dampwoodLarger than drywood typesSame color as drywood types

Termites

Termites

Order Thysanoptera

Thrips

Thrips

Order Thysanoptera

Simple metamorphosis

Piercing-sucking mouthparts

Locations On tender foliage,

in flowers and on fruit

Thrips Damage

Pierce into plant cellsCauses flowers to not open, open

deformed or discoloredCauses russeting on fruit skin

Thrips Damage

Causes “silvering” or “bleaching” and deformation of leaves

Some thrips are predaceousSome are serious greenhouse pests

Thrips

Controls (chemical, biological, IPM)

Flower thrips can be hard to treat when inside flower buds

Systemic insecticides

Various insecticides

Order Hemiptera

The “True” Bugs

Hemipterans - True Bugs

Order HemipteraSome pests, some beneficialsSimple metamorphosisPiercing-sucking mouthpartsTwo pair of wings“bug” is always a separate word

Hemipterans - True Bugs

LocationsAll over Southern CaliforniaBird’s nestsAnimal and human beddingPlant feedersPredaceousParasitic Some aquatic species

Hemiptera

DamageTransmits disease to humans and animalsDamage to foliage, flowers and fruitInject chemicals into plants when feedingAdverse affects on plant growth

Hemiptera

Stink Bug

Family Pentatomidae

Leaf-Footed Bug

Family Coreidae

Chinch Bug

Family Lygaeidae

Hemiptera

Controls (chemical, biological, IPM)

Various insecticides

Systemic insecticides

Water Strider

Family Gerridae

Hemiptera

Water Boatman

Family Corixidae Giant Water Bug

Family Belostomatidae

Backswimmer

Family Notonectidae

Hemiptera

Hemiptera

Snails & Slugs

Phylum Mollusca

European Brown Garden Snail

Class GastropodaHelix aspersaFirst described by O.F. Muller in 1774 in

ItalyFirst introduced into California in the

1850s as a delicacy – escargotSerious economic pest to agricultural

crops as well as ornamentalsThey are protected by a hard spiraled

shell

European Brown Garden Snail

Snails travel on a mucus trail excreted from glands under a single muscular organ called a “foot”

They are a nocturnal plant feeder – also feed on bark and organic matter in the soil

They prefer cool, moist environmentsSnails have both male and female

reproductive organsSnails are self-fertile and cross-breed as well

European Brown Garden Snail

Snails lay from 30 to 120 eggs at one time – over 400 eggs per year

The eggs are buried in soil 1” to 1-1/2” deep

Each adult can lay eggs every six weeks from February to October

Eggs hatch in about 2 weeks and the snails require about 2 years to reach maturity

European Brown Garden Snail

Is He Handsome or What?

European Brown Garden Snail

Snail Infestation

Mating Adults

Gray Garden Slug

Class Gastropoda Agriolimax reticulatusUp to 60 mm long, pale creamish, brownish or

slate colored with dark spots The sole is pale and the mucus white and stickyEggs are 3 mm x 2.5 mm, whitish, translucent,

and laid in clusters of 10-20 (or more)Hatching time is three weeksYoung slugs are 4 mm, whitish translucent

Gray Garden Slug

Agriolimax reticulatus

Gray Garden Slug

Agriolimax reticulatus