Landscape Pests
Aphids, scale, borers, and other insects that attack trees, shrubs, and ornamental plants. Browse 64 entries in our identification guide.
Crape Myrtle Aphid
Sarucallis kahawaluokalani
<p>The Crape Myrtle Aphid (N/A) is a specialized pest frequently encountered across Middle Tennessee, from the residential landscapes of Franklin to t...
Painted Maple Aphid
Drepanaphis acerifoliae
<h2>Painted Maple Aphid (<em>Drepanaphis acerifoliae</em>)</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> Pale green to yellowish aphids, 2–3 mm, with disti...
Woolly Beech Aphid
N/A
<h2>Woolly Beech Aphid</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> Small, soft-bodied aphids covered in white waxy wool secreted from abdominal glands, f...
Balsam Twig Aphid
Mindarus abietinus
<h2>Balsam Twig Aphid (<em>Mindarus abietinus</em>)</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> Pale green to bluish-green aphids, 1–2 mm, with a waxy po...
Rose Aphid
N/A
<h2>Rose Aphid</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> Pink to green soft-bodied aphids, 1.5–2.5 mm, clustered on buds, stem tips, and underside of y...
Glasshouse Whitefly
N/A
<h2>Glasshouse Whitefly</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> Tiny white-winged insects, 1–1.5 mm, with a powdery wax coating. <em>Trialeurodes vap...
Silverleaf Whitefly
N/A
<h2>Silverleaf Whitefly</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> <em>Bemisia argentifolii</em> (also treated as <em>B. tabaci</em> biotype B). Adults ...
Azalea Whitefly
Pealius azaleae
<h2>Azalea Whitefly (<em>Pealius azaleae</em>)</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> Small white-winged insects, 1–1.5 mm, with yellow body colorat...
Obscure Mealybug
Pseudococcus viburni
<h2>Obscure Mealybug (<em>Pseudococcus viburni</em>)</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> Soft, oval, 3–5 mm, covered in white mealy wax with shor...
Gill's Mealybug
N/A
<p>Gill's Mealybug is a landscape pest found in Middle Tennessee. This pest can damage ornamental plants and turfgrass in our region. Early identifica...
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
N/A
<h2>Hemlock Woolly Adelgid</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> <em>Adelges tsugae</em> — tiny (0.8 mm) black insects permanently concealed under ...
Balsam Woolly Adelgid
N/A
<h2>Balsam Woolly Adelgid</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> <em>Adelges piceae</em> — wingless, 0.5–1 mm, entirely sessile as adults. Found at ...
White Peach Scale
Pseudaulacaspis pentagona
<p>White Peach Scale (Pseudaulacaspis pentagona) is a landscape pest found in Middle Tennessee. This pest can damage ornamental plants and turfgrass i...
Oleander Scale
N/A
<h2>Oleander Scale</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> <em>Aspidiotus nerii</em> — an armored scale (family Diaspididae), 1.5–2 mm diameter, with...
Euonymus Scale
N/A
<h2>Euonymus Scale</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> <em>Unaspis euonymi</em> — an armored scale with a strong sexual dimorphism. Female cover ...
Oystershell Scale
Lepidosaphes ulmi
<p>Oystershell Scale is a landscape pest found in Middle Tennessee. This pest can damage ornamental plants and turfgrass in our region. Early identifi...
Japanese Maple Scale
Lopholeucaspis japonica
<h2>Japanese Maple Scale (<em>Lopholeucaspis japonica</em>)</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> Elongated armored scale, 1.5–2 mm, white to pale ...
Cottony Maple Scale
Pulvinaria innumerabilis
<h2>Cottony Maple Scale (<em>Pulvinaria innumerabilis</em>)</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> A soft scale (family Coccidae). Females are 3–6 m...
Tuliptree Scale
N/A
<h2>Tuliptree Scale</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> <em>Toumeyella liriodendri</em> — the largest soft scale on landscape trees in the easter...
Calico Scale
N/A
<h2>Calico Scale</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> <em>Eulecanium cerasorum</em> — a soft scale (family Coccidae), 4–6 mm, with a hard, glossy ...
Black Scale
N/A
<h2>Black Scale</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> <em>Saissetia oleae</em> — a soft scale, 3–5 mm, with a hard, glossy black to dark brown hemi...
Fletcher Scale
Parthenolecanium fletcheri
<h2>Fletcher Scale (<em>Parthenolecanium fletcheri</em>)</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> A soft scale (family Coccidae), 3–4 mm, hemispherica...
Magnolia Scale
Neolecanium cornuparvum
<h2>Magnolia Scale (<em>Neolecanium cornuparvum</em>)</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> The largest soft scale insect in North America. Mature ...
Azalea Lace Bug
Stephanitis pyrioides
<h2>Azalea Lace Bug (<em>Stephanitis pyrioides</em>)</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> Adults 3–3.5 mm, with elaborately lacy, transparent wing...
Rhododendron Lace Bug
N/A
<h2>Rhododendron Lace Bug</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> <em>Stephanitis rhododendri</em> — closely related to azalea lace bug (<em>S. pyrio...
Potato Leafhopper
N/A
<h2>Potato Leafhopper</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> <em>Empoasca fabae</em> — small, wedge-shaped, 3–3.5 mm, bright green with white spots ...
Rose Leafhopper
N/A
<h2>Rose Leafhopper</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> <em>Edwardsiana rosae</em> — pale yellow to white, 3–3.5 mm, wedge-shaped. Found on the u...
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Halyomorpha halys
<h2>Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (<em>Halyomorpha halys</em>)</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> Shield-shaped, 14–17 mm, mottled brown with alter...
Spongy Moth
N/A
<h2>Spongy Moth</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> <em>Lymantria dispar</em> (formerly gypsy moth) — larvae are the damaging stage: up to 60 mm ...
Flighted Spongy Moth Complex
N/A
<h2>Flighted Spongy Moth Complex</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> The flighted spongy moth complex refers to <em>Lymantria dispar japonica</em...
Box Tree Moth
Cydalima perspectalis
<h2>Box Tree Moth (<em>Cydalima perspectalis</em>)</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> Adults are white with a broad brown border on the forewing...
Dogwood Sawfly
N/A
<h2>Dogwood Sawfly</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> <em>Macremphytus tarsatus</em> — larvae are the damaging stage. Early instars are covered ...
Azalea Sawfly
N/A
<h2>Azalea Sawfly</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> Two species attack azalea in Tennessee: <em>Abia sericea</em> (azalea sawfly) and <em>Atoma...
Elm Zigzag Sawfly
N/A
<h2>Elm Zigzag Sawfly</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> Larvae are pale green to yellowish with a dark dorsal stripe, 15–20 mm at maturity, fee...
Emerald Ash Borer
Agrilus planipennis
<h2>Emerald Ash Borer (<em>Agrilus planipennis</em>)</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> Adults are 8–14 mm, metallic emerald green, with a flatt...
Asian Longhorned Beetle
Anoplophora glabripennis
<h2>Asian Longhorned Beetle (<em>Anoplophora glabripennis</em>)</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> Adults are large, 20–35 mm, with a distinctiv...
Southern Pine Beetle
N/A
<h2>Southern Pine Beetle</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> Adults are small, 2–4 mm, dark reddish-brown to black, with a rounded abdomen — the ...
IPS Bark Beetle
N/A
<h2>IPS Bark Beetle</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> Several <em>Ips</em> species attack pine in Tennessee; the most common are <em>Ips grandi...
Black Turpentine Beetle
N/A
<h2>Black Turpentine Beetle</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> The largest of the southern pine bark beetles: adults 5–8 mm, black to dark brown...
Redbay Ambrosia Beetle
Xyleborus glabratus
<h2>Redbay Ambrosia Beetle (<em>Xyleborus glabratus</em>)</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> Adults are very small, 1.5–2 mm, dark brown to blac...
Walnut Twig Beetle
Pityophthorus juglandis
<h2>Walnut Twig Beetle (<em>Pityophthorus juglandis</em>)</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> Adults are extremely small, 1.5–2 mm, brown, cylind...
Sirex Woodwasp
N/A
<h2>Sirex Woodwasp</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> <em>Sirex noctilio</em> is the primary species of concern. Adults are large, 20–35 mm, wit...
Spotted Lanternfly
Lycorma delicatula
<h2>Spotted Lanternfly (<em>Lycorma delicatula</em>)</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> <em>Lycorma delicatula</em> adults are 25 mm long with d...
Twospotted Spider Mite
Tetranychus urticae
<h2>Twospotted Spider Mite (<em>Tetranychus urticae</em>)</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> Adults 0.4–0.5 mm, oval, pale yellowish-green with ...
Southern Red Mite
N/A
<h2>Southern Red Mite</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> <em>Oligonychus ilicis</em>, the southern red mite, is a cool-season spider mite — this...
Spruce Spider Mite
N/A
<h2>Spruce Spider Mite</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> <em>Oligonychus ununguis</em>, the spruce spider mite, is a cool-season spider mite at...
Maple Bladdergall Mite
N/A
<h2>Maple Bladdergall Mite</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> <em>Vasates quadripedes</em>, the maple bladdergall mite, is an eriophyid mite — m...
Broad Mites
N/A
<h2>Broad Mites</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> <em>Polyphagotarsonemus latus</em>, the broad mite, is a tarsonemid mite — extremely small (0...
Root-Knot Nematodes
Meloidogyne spp.
<p>Nematodes are microscopic roundworms that feed on plant roots, and root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are the most damaging group in turfgrass....
Slugs
N/A
<h2>Slugs</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> Slugs are shell-less terrestrial gastropod mollusks. The most common landscape pest species in Tenn...
Snails
N/A
<h2>Snails</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> Terrestrial snails differ from slugs by the presence of a coiled shell, 15–50 mm in diameter depen...
Green Peach Aphid
Myzus persicae
<h2>Green Peach Aphid (<em>Myzus persicae</em>)</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> Adults 1.5–2.5 mm, pale yellow-green to pink, with a characte...
Melon Aphid
Aphis gossypii
<h2>Melon Aphid (<em>Aphis gossypii</em>)</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> Adults are highly variable in color — pale yellow, green, or dark g...
Brown Soft Scale
Coccus hesperidum
<h2>Brown Soft Scale (<em>Coccus hesperidum</em>)</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> Adult females are 3–4 mm, oval, flattened, yellowish-brown ...
Cottony Cushion Scale
Icerya purchasi
<h2>Cottony Cushion Scale (<em>Icerya purchasi</em>)</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> Among the most visually distinctive landscape scales. Ma...
Bagworm
Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis
<h2>Bagworm (<em>Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis</em>)</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> Larvae construct spindle-shaped portable cases (bags) fr...
Sycamore Lace Bug
Corythucha ciliata
<h2>Sycamore Lace Bug (<em>Corythucha ciliata</em>)</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> Adults 3–3.5 mm with elaborately lacy, transparent wings ...
Greenhouse Whitefly
Trialeurodes vaporariorum
<h2>Greenhouse Whitefly (<em>Trialeurodes vaporariorum</em>)</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> Adults 1.5 mm, white, with two pairs of waxy whi...
Western Flower Thrips
Frankliniella occidentalis
<h2>Western Flower Thrips (<em>Frankliniella occidentalis</em>)</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> Adults 1–1.5 mm, slender, pale yellow to brow...
Serpentine Leaf Miner
Liriomyza trifolii
<h2>Serpentine Leaf Miner (<em>Liriomyza trifolii</em>)</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> Adults are small agromyzid flies, 1.3–2.3 mm, black a...
Eastern Tent Caterpillar
Malacosoma americanum
<h2>Eastern Tent Caterpillar (<em>Malacosoma americanum</em>)</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> Larvae are black with a continuous white dorsal...
Rose Sawfly
Arge ochracea
<h2>Rose Sawfly (<em>Arge ochracea</em>)</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> <em>Arge ochracea</em> is one of several sawfly species attacking ro...
Euonymus Leafminer Sawfly
Profenusa canadensis
<h2>Euonymus Leafminer Sawfly (<em>Profenusa canadensis</em>)</h2> <p><strong>Identification:</strong> A small leafmining sawfly in the subfamily Fenu...
Eastern Mole
Scalopus aquaticus
<p>Eastern Mole (Scalopus aquaticus) is a common outdoor pest encountered in Middle Tennessee yards. Understanding this pest's habits and lifecycle he...
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