The first and most critical step of any pest management program whether it is a weed, pathogen or insect that is causing problems is accurate identification. If one doesn’t know what they are trying to control, then the probability of successful management quickly diminishes. This can compound the problem if the wrong or an untimely chemical application is used!
Insect identification operates at two levels: the creature itself and the evidence it leaves or damage that it causes if it’s a plant pest. Test your knowledge by taking the first of several Insect and Insect Damage Identification Quizzes. Guess the insect or damage based on the picture and see how well you do!
There are two main rules when it comes to insect identification. The first rule is be accurate, i.e. never guess or try and “fake” an ID. At any given time there may be a significant number of insects in a field that are deemed “non-pests” i.e. do not cause harm or there may be those that are considered “beneficial” i.e. predators and pollinators. The wrong chemical or improper timing of an insecticide application can significantly impact the work that these “good-guys” may be doing and can cause what is known as “pest-resurgence” and “secondary pest-outbreaks.” These terms will be discussed in greater detail in future Timely Topics. Lastly, don’t be afraid to seek assistance. It is okay if one doesn’t know what they have or what damage they may be seeing. A great resource for help is the WSU Plant Diagnostic Clinic.
More information on insect pests can be found on the Insect Resources Page.
For questions or comments, contact Dale Whaley via email at dwhaley@wsu.edu.