Watch out monarda munchers, a wicked wasp is coming to get you: Four-toothed mason wasp, Monobia quadridens

 

 

Two weeks ago we met the sneaky raspberry pyrausta, a pretty moth whose very hungry caterpillars love to pillage bee balm and other members of the monarda clan. To preserve the nectar rich blossoms of monardas for pollinators, we discussed ways to mitigate injury caused by ravaging caterpillars like removing them by hand or using interventions with OMRI listed insecticides. Well, in my garden last week, good old Mother Nature interceded with another solution to these blossom busters in the form of biological control provided by a nifty wasp known as four-toothed mason wasp.

Recently we saw leaves and buds of bee balm ravaged by caterpillars of the raspberry pyrausta. But this week, Mother Nature sent a member of her caterpillar hit-squad. Watch as the four-toothed mason wasp searches the foliage for a caterpillar. Score! The tiny caterpillar will be stung, paralyzed, and sealed in a brood cell to provide fresh meat for the wasp’s developing youngster.

We met this caterpillar-hunter as a busy pollinator last winter and learned about its dual ecosystem services of pollination and biological control. As adults, mason wasps are often seen visiting flowers, where they provide the important ecosystem service of pollination as they seek nectar to power their hunt for prey and pollen as a protein source to be transformed into eggs.

Mountain mint looks like a super food for mason wasps as they carbo-load in preparation to search for caterpillars. Watch as a female sips nectar from several blossoms before the hunt. Natural holes made in wood by other insects and human-made holes drilled in logs for mason bees make great nurseries for mason wasps. A little tickle with a wisp of wood brings a female out of her nursery. A quick look around reveals nothing amiss and back she goes into the gallery to resume her work. To my surprise, a weep-hole made in the vinyl frame of my living room window makes a great nursery for a mason wasp. After provisioning galleries with paralyzed caterpillars to feed their young, mothers gather balls of mud which will be used to seal the nursery chambers. Using jaws and patience, a female makes a beautiful mudball. With the mudball complete and cradled beneath her legs, she flies back to her nursery. It takes several loads of mud to seal the gallery completely. Here a mother puts the final touches on her handiwork. A solid coat of mud plaster helps prevent enemies from attacking and killing her developing brood.

After finding a suitable gallery, which could be the drain hole in a window frame or an unused gallery of a mason bee or carpenter bee, the female mason wasp deposits an egg within the gallery. She then exits the gallery to hunt small caterpillars, many of which are garden pests. Upon encountering a caterpillar, the female mason wasp uses a potent venom to paralyze the prey. Sometimes as many as 19 caterpillars are captured, paralyzed, and used to provision the cell where an egg awaits. Ah, but these caterpillars are not truly dead. Like Westley, the Dread Pirate Roberts of Princess Bride fame, these caterpillars are only mostly dead. Paralyzed but still living, they provide fresh meat to be consumed after the spawn of the female wasp hatches from an egg deposited in small cell within the gallery. Upon hatching, the wasp larva drops onto the hapless caterpillar to feast.

When a sufficient number of prey have been captured, the female seals the gallery with a plug of mud or sand particles, hence the name mason wasp. In a remarkable display of gender control, the female wasp is able to lay either a male or a female egg. Due to the shorter developmental time of the male offspring, male eggs are usually placed near the opening of the gallery and female eggs are placed deeper within. If you see these magnificent black and white wasps entering drain holes on your window frames, fear not, your home is not under attack. You have provided a nesting site for these black and white beauties. In return, they will pollinate your plants and help eliminate pests like the caterpillars on monardas and other garden plants.

Acknowledgements

The wonderful references “Trap nesting wasps and bees: Life histories, nests, and associates” by Karl Krombein and “The cocooning habit of the wasp, Monobia quadridens” by Phil Rau were consulted to prepare this episode. 

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Pest infestations pose a significant problem in any home, but they can be particularly challenging to handle in multi-unit buildings. As an industry leader since opening our doors in 1987, Catseye Pest Control has gained valuable expertise in providing effective multi-unit pest control. Decades of experience have taught us about the challenges associated with these buildings and the ins and outs of regulations property owners must comply with and manage.  

Explore why pest control is such a critical service in multi-unit buildings and discover tips for preventing infestations before they begin.  

Introduction to Multi-Unit Pest Control 

Multi-unit buildings are unique properties that accommodate more than one family. From duplexes and townhomes to condos and high-rise apartments, these properties provide each tenant with separate living spaces. However, shared walls, communal spaces, and people with varying habits all living under one roof make pest prevention and control more complex. 

Common Pests in Apartments and Condos 

Like any home, these buildings are vulnerable to any type of pests. Some of the most common offenders include:  

• Flies 
• Bed bugs 
• Cockroaches 
• Rodents, including house mice, deer mice, roof rats, and Norway rats 
• Ants 
• Carpet beetles 
• Spiders 

Challenges of Pest Control in Multi-Unit Dwellings 

In a single-family home, pest prevention and management are challenging, but the unique design of multi-unit dwellings amps up the challenge of pest control, making complete elimination more difficult in many circumstances. That’s why professional multi-unit pest control and preventative services are so essential for these types of properties.  

Shared Walls and Spaces 

Multi-unit dwellings feature hallways, lobbies, laundry rooms, and common areas where tenants and pests can travel from unit to unit. Additionally, many pests, including bed bugs and rodents, can spread to adjacent units or those above and below with relative ease. All it takes is a small gap or crack for pests to easily move throughout the entire building. 

High Density of Residents 

More people mean more potential for pests. The high-density population of many multi-unit dwellings can create a significant challenge, particularly when it comes to ineffective trash management and disposal. Flies, rodents, cockroaches, and many other pests will scavenge through garbage for food and find nearby areas to nest. Additionally, the turnover in multi-unit buildings can introduce additional problems as new tenants could inadvertently bring uninvited roommates like bed bugs along with them.  

Differing Levels of Cleanliness 

The tenants in unit A could keep their home spotlessly clean, regularly take out their trash, and store all food in airtight containers. Meanwhile, those living in unit G could leave dishes in the sink, crumbs on the counter, and garbage piled high. Both units could end up infested, along with every unit in between. 

Open Access Points 

Lobbies, backdoors, and other access points welcome tenants home and could also let creepy-crawlies and skittering critters in along with them. Multiple access points increase the risk of pest problems, as doors opening and closing through all hours of the day and night could unintentionally let in any number of pests.   

Effective Pest Control Strategies 

Multi-unit dwellings’ pest problems can be complex and challenging, but they aren’t impossible to handle. With routine inspections, preventative measures, and professional pest control, residents of apartments, condos, and other housing units can rest easy.  

Preventative Measures 

Stopping pests before they ever have a chance to start is the best form of protection. Taking precautions can make a significant difference in a property’s risk level. For example, proper garbage management, including using pest-proof receptacles and routine removal can help reduce the risk of cockroaches and rodents, among others. Regular inspections can catch potential problems early before pests have a chance to spread.  

Other helpful steps to consider include: 

• Seal potential entry points, like gaps and cracks in walls, foundations, around doors and windows, and around utility lines. 
• Sanitize communal spaces, including hallways and lobbies. 
• Perform outdoor maintenance, like trimming shrubbery away from the exterior of the building and ensuring the building has ample drainage away from its foundation. 
• Install self-closing doors at all access points and install door sweeps and weather stripping. 
• Eliminate clutter to reduce potential hideouts for pests. 
• Fix moisture issues, like clogged gutters and leaky pipes, promptly. 

Tenant Education and Cooperation 

One person’s actions can impact the entire building. Tenants should be made aware of their responsibilities from the moment they move into their homes. Routinely offering reminders or refreshers can also help. Residents should be educated about the importance of disposing of trash regularly, reporting problems promptly, and maintaining clean spaces as part of pest prevention.  

Professional Pest Control Services 

Professional pest control isn’t an optional service for multi-unit dwellings — it’s a must. Property owners are required to maintain clean, safe, livable conditions. If left unchecked, a single infestation could end up costing a lot in time and resources. Fines, legal fees, loss of reputation, turnover, low occupancy rates — the costs add up quickly. When you work with professionals, you can rest easy knowing you have expert eyes on the property. Routine inspections and preventative treatments keep pests at bay and eliminate your worries. 

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) 

Partnering with the right pest control professionals is the key. Look for a trusted, reputable company that takes an IPM approach. This strategic framework helps achieve long-term success with a focus on prevention and maintenance. It minimizes potentially negative impacts on people and the planet. Interviewing tenants and conducting a full-scale inspection is an excellent starting point. This allows technicians to understand the history, the damage, the infestation level, and the type of pests they must be prepared to handle. 

That paves the way for fully customized treatments designed for each unique property. Robust monitoring and taking tenants’ schedules and potential allergies into account before using pest control products is also important. 

That’s just the beginning of the level of service and care you can expect from Catseye. Providing exceptional service and supporting our clients in maintaining a healthy living environment is our passion. 

Contact Catseye today to learn more about our multi-family pest control services or to schedule a free inspection and get started.  

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This week’s episode comes to you from Dr. Paula Shrewsbury, Entomologist at the University of Maryland, College Park, who created this great article for her “Beneficial of the Week” in the IPM Alerts – Landscape & Nursery.

 “Fireflies have been lighting up my neighborhood (Howard Co. MD) since the first week of June. It looks like a good year for fireflies based on the amazing display of flashing lights I see every night. Usually around 8:00 p.m., just before my 3-year-old grandson’s bedtime, the flashing begins. It has become a ritual that before bed, we go outside and catch fireflies. Most of us have fond memories of catching fireflies as a kid and putting them in glass jars, which were kept by the bed to watch during the night.

Watch fireflies light up a small patch of landscape in front of my bed of perennials. Firefly larvae hunt soil-dwelling pests in that flower bed. Video compressed three times actual speed.

 Fireflies, also known as lightning bugs, are really neither bugs nor flies. They are characterized as soft-winged beetles in the order Coleoptera and the family Lampyridae. There are over 2,200 known species of fireflies, of which about 165 species have been reported in the U.S. and Canada. Fireflies are found in temperate and tropical regions and in the humid regions of the Americas, Asia, and Europe. In the U.S., the abundance of fireflies is greater east of the Great Plains than in western states. Interestingly, fireflies that produce light are uncommon in western North America. Some firefly species are diurnal, and therefor have no need to create light. These species are known as daytime dark fireflies and they use chemical pheromones for mate attraction. Although the adults do not light, the larvae do glow at night, similar to eastern species.

 Most flashing species occur east of the Mississippi River, are about ¾” in length and are active at dusk and night. Adults and larvae of many firefly species exhibit bioluminescent – they glow in the dark! Many organisms such as bacteria, fungi, jellyfish, algae, fish, clams, snails, crustaceans, and of course insects, exhibit bioluminescence. Firefly species have special light organs that make the underside of their abdomens light up. How do fireflies make light? The light emitted by a firefly is actually a chemical reaction in the beetle’s abdomen. The light organ has special cells that contain a chemical called luciferin. An enzyme called luciferase combines oxygen with luciferin in these cells to create light. Scientists actually do not know how fireflies regulate their lights to turn them on and off. You might have also noticed how “cold” the light looks. This is because no infrared (or heat) or ultraviolet frequencies of light are emitted. Among the light-producing fireflies, lights are yellow, green, or pale red.

 The purpose of this bioluminescence varies. It is believed that the flashes are part of a signaling system for attracting mates. Both males and females emit light intermittently or in specific flash patterns. The rhythmic flash patterns produced are specific for each species of firefly and vary by sex within a species. The flashes that we see are from the males that are attempting to attract a mate. For example, males of the common eastern firefly (Photinus pyralis) flash every six seconds. Females watch the light “show” and if a display from a specific male is particularly attractive, she will flash a response but only if it is from the male of the same species. The male descends to that location to mate with her. In addition to transferring sperm to the female during copulation, the male offers a nuptial gift of rich protein, which the female uses to provision the eggs that will soon start to develop in her ovaries. Interestingly, in one species of firefly, Photuris pensylvanica, the female mimics the flash pattern of another species, Photinis pyralis, to attract the male of the other species to her. When the male of the other species arrives, thinking he has found his mate – she eats it to obtain defensive compounds used to protect her eggs. A bad surprise for that male!

During daylight hours fireflies can be found patrolling leaves. By night, a flashing male firefly searches for a female. After locating his mate on an overhanging leaf, the courtship deal is sealed and the flashers turn off the lights for an intimate interlude. Watching insect behavior is really fascinating.

 For the common eastern firefly, eggs are laid in moist soil and hatch about a month later. All immature fireflies (or larvae) are called glow-worms (see image). The larvae emit light too, though it is a low intensity glow rather than flashing like adults. The larvae of our eastern firefly develop over two summers, so they overwinter twice, before pupating and emerging as adults this time of the year. Most fireflies are reported to pupate in rotting logs or the furrows in the bark of tree trunks. Although the larvae of fireflies are referred to as glow-worms, technically this is not quite correct. Glow-worms are a type of firefly where the adult female is flightless and maintains the appearance of a larva and she emits a long-lasting glow, similar to larvae. The males have the appearance of an adult firefly. To make it more confusing, other insect larvae that glow are sometimes called glow-worms too.

 Why are fireflies considered beneficials? Well, the soil active firefly larvae, or glow worms, are voracious predators of soft-bodied invertebrates and known to feed on slugs, snails, worms, and other soil-dwelling insects. Glow worms use their mandibles to inject prey with a paralyzing neurotoxin, making it defenseless, and then secrete digestive enzymes that liquify the prey making it easier to consume. Firefly larvae or glow-worms are believed to glow as a warning signal telling predators not to eat them, as they are mildly toxic and taste nasty. It is not well known what all adult fireflies feed on but some feed on pollen and nectar and some are reported not to feed at all. 

 Since most fireflies that produce light are in the Eastern U.S., it makes the nightly light shows we encounter here something special to behold for a few weeks during spring and early summer. Be sure to help young people you know, and others, enjoy the experience of observing and collecting fireflies. Be certain to release the little lights when you are done!”

 Acknowledgements

 Bug of the Week thanks Jackie for providing the inspiration for this episode. The interesting articles “Experimental tests of light-pollution impacts on nocturnal insect courtship and dispersal” by Drs. Aerial Firebaugh and Kyle Haynes, “Flash Signal Evolution, Mate Choice, and Predation in Fireflies” by Sara M. Lewis and Christopher K. Cratsley, and fascinating studies of Dr. Sara Lewis and Dr. Thomas Eisner and their colleagues, served as resources for this Bug of the Week.

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Introduction to Cockroach Identification 

Cockroaches are feared and loathed by many. These fascinating pests survived for millions of years, earning their reputation as one of the most resilient insects on the planet. They can live for up to two weeks without water and hold their breath for longer than 30 minutes. As a result, cockroaches remain a prevalent problem, infesting more than 120 million homes in the United States every year.  

Thousands of different cockroach species exist worldwide, with only approximately 70 of those species found in the U.S. Only four are common in our region, and you can differentiate between them by looking at their physical characteristics and behaviors. Although it’s tempting to group all cockroaches together, understanding the differences between various species can help improve the success rate of cockroach control measures. 

Why It’s Important to Identify Cockroach Species 

Cockroaches are more than just an icky bug. These pests can pose a real health hazard. Cockroaches contaminate surfaces to spread vectors of disease, including bacteria and parasites. Not only can they make you sick, but they can also set off allergies and cause asthma attacks. Identifying that you have a cockroach problem is only one step toward eliminating them and restoring healthy conditions.  

Determining the species invading your property is critical, as each one has unique habits you need to understand to properly eliminate them.  

Common Myths About Cockroaches 

Nobody wants to have cockroaches in their home or business. Many of the things that people believe about these skittering nightmares aren’t true and can prevent them from understanding the real risks that lead to an infestation.  

1. Cockroaches Only Infest Dirty Places: Although sanitation can play a big role in preventing cockroach infestations, these critters are drawn to places that offer access to food and moisture. Not keeping up with cleaning can offer more temptation and increase the risk. However, you can have an immaculate home and still attract cockroaches if food sources and water are plentiful.  
2. Cockroaches Are Always Active: Cockroaches are mostly active at night, which makes them challenging to spot early on when combined with their preference for hiding in dark places. Understanding their behavior can help you identify the issue sooner. 
3. All Cockroaches Are the Same: Each species has unique characteristics and behaviors. Also, of the 4,000 species crawling worldwide, only about 30 have been deemed pests. In the wild, cockroaches eat decaying matter, providing key nutrients for plants through their waste materials. They are also a good source of food for predators, including spiders, mice, birds, and frogs. 

Common Cockroach Species and Their Physical Characteristics 

Across Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire, you might encounter one or more of the following cockroach species. All have flat, oval bodies and long, thread-like antennae that they use to smell and feel their way around in the dark.  

Explore some other physical characteristics, which you can use to help identify what type of cockroach you’re dealing with on your property.  

American Cockroach 

American cockroaches hide in dark, damp spots with ample shelter, including under roof shingles, foundations, basements, and woodpiles. You may find them in kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, and other areas with easy access to food and water. They come out at night to seek food, including everything from garbage to the glue that binds books. 

• Size: American cockroaches are among the largest species, averaging 1 to 1.5 inches in size. 
• Color: Bodies are reddish-brown, with yellow-hued bands on their heads.  
• Wings: Both males and females have wings. 

German Cockroach  

These may be the single most common cockroaches found in American homes. German cockroaches often emit a musty odor that can signal an infestation.  

• Size: Considerably smaller than American cockroaches, this species averages 5/8 to 2/3 inch in size. 
• Color: Colors range from tan to light brown with two dark strips down their backs. 
• Wings: These cockroaches have wings but rarely fly, preferring to run instead. 

Oriental Cockroach 

These cockroaches are also sometimes called waterbugs and black beetles. They are on the smaller side, with females growing larger than males. These cockroaches love dwelling in areas like sewers, making them common vectors of disease-causing contamination.  

• Size: These roaches grow up to 1 inch long. 
• Color: Bodies are reddish brown to dark black with a shiny appearance. 
• Wings: Although these cockroaches have wings, they do not fly.  

Brown-Banded Cockroach 

Although the other common cockroaches found throughout the region prefer humidity, brown-banded cockroaches thrive in warm, dry spots. They scavenge for food and will eat just about anything, including starchy materials like paper. 

• Size: On the smaller side, these insects average about 1/2 inch long. 
• Color: Bodies feature varying shades of brown with distinct banding on their wings. 
• Wings: Both males and females have wings, but females’ wings are smaller. 

Behavioral Characteristics for Identification 

In addition to their size and other physical characteristics, some of the behaviors of various species can aid in cockroach identification. Specifically, consider their habitats and feeding habits to help narrow it down. 

Habitat Preferences 

American cockroaches are more common in commercial settings, warehouses, garbage dumps, and sewers, but they may invade homes, as well. They can often be found in and around drains and pipes, making them common in areas like laundry rooms, kitchen, bathrooms, and basements.  

The German cockroach is a common home invader frequently found in kitchens, basements, and bathrooms. Oriental cockroaches frequent sewers, often entering homes and buildings through drains and door thresholds. They can often be found in crawlspaces, basements, and outdoor piles of leaves and firewood. 

With their preference for dry conditions, brown-banded cockroaches are often found in areas like closets. They may also hide in other dark spots like inside radios, televisions, furniture, and appliances and behind drawers. 

Feeding Habits 

American cockroaches eat plants, other insects, and nearly everything else they can. German cockroaches prefer sweets but will also eat items like books and toothpaste. Brown-banded cockroaches thrive on starchy foods, including the bindings of books and paste used for wallpaper. Although the previously mentioned species may occasionally eat non-organic materials, oriental cockroaches typically stick to organic matter, including garbage. 

What to Do If You Find Cockroaches 

If you spot a cockroach — or signs of an infestation like droppings or finding egg casings — the first thing to do is remain calm. Heat waves, readily available sources of food, and easy access to moisture from leaky plumbing can attract these pests. Also, remember that they are among the most common insects in the world, and you are not alone.  

Figuring out how you got cockroaches (i.e., leaving food out, leaking faucets, or a crack in the foundation) can help.  

DIY Control Measures 

Although there are pesticides on the market that you can try, DIY roach control can be very challenging. Crushing cockroaches can release oleic acid, a substance that can attract others to the area. Additionally, because these pests are so adaptable, getting to the root of the infestation to eliminate it entirely is often beyond the scope of what you can do on your own.  

Preventing Cockroaches 

Prevention is the most effective way to deal with cockroaches on your own. Keeping pet dishes covered, promptly repairing any plumbing leaks, and storing food in air-tight contains can help. Additionally, sealing holes and gaps in the foundation, around pipes and utility lines that run indoors from outside, and caulking around doors and windows can help seal entry points. 

When to Call a Professional 

As soon as you suspect you have a cockroach infestation, call for professional cockroach control. There are usually many more insects hiding in and around your property than you can see, which is why it’s critical to rely on the pros. At Catseye Pest Control, our highly trained technicians have extensive education and state-of-the-art equipment to address the problem. The Catseye team can identify the species and tailor the approach to both the unique needs of the property and the species infesting it.  

Contact Catseye today to learn more about our services or schedule a free inspection to get started.  

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After a few seasons of respite for my monardas, the raspberry pyrausta has returned with a vengeance to my perennial flower beds. For readers that love spotted beebalm, scarlet beebalm, and wild bergamot, this week we visit a pesky small caterpillar and learn some ways to help safeguard the blossoms of these wonderful perennial plants.

Why should we protect the blossoms of monardas? By providing rich nectar rewards, these delightful natives are magnets for an astounding array of beneficial animals ranging from hummingbirds and gold finches to butterflies, bumble bees, hover flies, and myriad predatory and parasitic wasps. I have watched the summer parade of interesting and beautiful insects visiting monardas for hours over a cup of coffee on sunny summer mornings. But every year, there is foul-play afoot in my flower beds. Sometime in the latter days of May and early days of June just as the bergamot was prepping to bloom, developing flower buds, attendant sepals, and supporting leaves became shredded and riddled with holes. Close examination of the buds revealed tiny black pellets lodged in the nooks and crannies of the flower heads. Now, to bug geeks, tiny black pellets usually are a sign of insect activity. Said pellets are actually the excrement, a.k.a. frass, of caterpillars feeding within the flower buds. Some further poking around the nascent blossoms revealed small creamy colored caterpillars hiding in the axils of sepals and at the bases of florets.

While identification of small caterpillars presents a challenge even to seasoned entomologists, identification of adult moths and butterflies is way easier. A more extensive search of the bergamot patch revealed a rather pretty raspberry pyrausta moth, a member of the crambid moth clan. Crambid moths, also known as snout moths, are named for the elongated mouthparts protruding from the front of their head. Many bore into the stems of grasses and other monocots and some, such as the European corn borer and sod webworm, are serious agricultural and lawn pests. Just one or a few of these caterpillars feeding within a developing flower bud are sufficient to all but ruin its floral display.

While some blossoms on my bergamot look fine many are ravaged. This culprit is a small caterpillar feeding in the flower head. Chewed florets, holes in leaves, silk and pellets of frass are telltale signs of the caterpillar. Regular inspections and crushing caterpillars when you find them will help keep your blossoms looking fine.            

Here is the dilemma. For many herbivores in my landscape, the death sentence is commuted under a live-and-let-live policy with the belief that even pests will become food for other insects or birds higher in the food web. However, in the case of the raspberry pyrausta, lack of intervention translates into few or no blossoms on monardas and few or no resources for pollinators, predators, and parasitoids dependent on nectar and pollen for their activity and survival. So, in this case the caterpillars gotta go to make way for the beneficial insects. Ridding the blossoms of caterpillars is fairly easy to do. As flower heads begin to form in late spring and early summer watch out for holes in leaves, feeding damage to developing florets, and small black frass pellets accumulating in the axils of leaves and sepals. Carefully search the flower head and when you locate the caterpillar, simply crush it. If you don’t like touching insects, don a pair of rubber gloves and do the deed. Mechanical destruction of the pest is foolproof and works well in small patches. For larger patches, you could consider using an insecticide listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) for controlling caterpillars. These insecticides have been reviewed by scientists and approved for use in the production of organic food crops. Two of my favorites contain the active ingredient Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Btk) or spinosad. Btk is derived from a common soil microbe and it works well on many species of caterpillars. If you grow milkweeds as a source of food for monarch caterpillars in your flower beds, take care not to spray Btk on your milkweed lest you poison any resident monarch larvae.

Some brands of spinosad will also carry the OMRI stamp of approval and they work well on caterpillars. Spinosad is also a product of a soil microbe. This molecule attacks the nervous system of insects. But be careful with spinosad, as it is highly toxic to bees. If other plants in your garden are in bloom or are about to bloom, avoid drift that might contact and harm charismatic pollinators. Use the same caution with monarda. The pyrausta will be present in the early formation of flower buds but as florets form and mature, avoid using spinosad as bloom time approaches and certainly when flowers are in bloom. Many snout moths have multiple generations and in my experience the raspberry pyrausta is no exception. I have crushed several crops of caterpillars in the flower buds and just the other day, a few more adult moths dared to flit around my flower bed. For a bug geek, watching the sunrise on a warm summer morning while sipping some coffee and squashing some caterpillars is not a bad way to start the day.

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Last week a team of scientists from Southern Adventist University, University of Florida Lake Alfred, University of Texas El Paso, Clemson University, and an unaffiliated researcher really captured the interest of the media with predictions that a large orb-weaving spider, the Jorō spider, was poised to expand its range from its southern stronghold to states further north. Jorō is native to eastern Asia, Japan, China, Korea, and Taiwan. Although it likely arrived in Georgia around 2010 it is now found in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Ohio. Jorō joins its cousin the golden silk spider, Trichonephila clavipes, as a spider from afar that has established residence in our land.

The golden silk spider has been in the US for more than a century, where it occupies parts of Florida, several other southeastern states, and even rarely makes an appearance elsewhere, sometimes as far north as Pennsylvania. The golden silk spider, a native of Central and South America, has remained mostly bottled up in the south likely due to its inability to tolerate cooler temperatures further north. However, a recent study by Dr. Nelsen and colleagues found evidence for abundant suitable habitats in eastern North America and some in western North America that could support the Jorō spider. In southern states, populations of the Jorō expand rapidly once they become established in an area. Jorō also has remarkable talents when it comes to moving great distances. In nature, the typical mode of dispersal of many spiders, including Jorō, is by aerial dispersal of spiderlings. They balloon on strands of silk like Charlotte’s babies in the book of the same name. By the way, ballooning likely has given rise to the more spectacular moniker for Jorō, the “parachute spider.” No, they really will not rain down on you from airplanes. Long distance transit by Jorō probably depends on human assistance, as both adults and their spawn are good hitchhikers. Jorō may have entered this country as an inseminated and gravid female or as an egg-case stowaway in a cargo container from Asia. Rapid population growth coupled with its ability to be transported inadvertently by humans and naturally by ballooning make range expansion likely. Previous research by scientists Davis and Frick found that Jorō spiders have a higher metabolism, supported by a faster heart rate, and a better ability to tolerate freezing temperatures than their warmth-loving cousin the golden silk spider. These traits, combined with more rapid development, enable Jorō to complete its life cycle rapidly before chilly temperatures bring its seasonal development to an end. This suite of adaptations may enable Jorō to escape the relative warmth of the south and expand its range northward along the eastern seaboard.

The bite of the “venomous” Jorō will be terrible and painful, right? Nah, according to expert Rick Hoebeke, the risks to humans and pets are small due to the puny size of Jorō’s fangs, which are unlikely to pierce our skin. I have visited Jorō’s cousin, the golden silk spider up close and personal in the rainforest of Costa Rica and found the large females to be completely non-aggressive. These spiders are passive hunters that build enormous webs, larger than a meter in diameter, to capture prey snared by silk. For arachnophobes these may be scary, but for arachnophiles these are beautiful spiders which may provide important ecosystem services including biological control of crop pests such as brown marmorated stink bugs or spotted lanternflies, with which they have an ancient association in their native range in Asia. Jorō spiders may be like Hannibal Lecter “having an old friend over for dinner” when they reunite with the stink bug or lanternfly here in the US. Large spiders like these may also become juicy prey items for feathered and non-feathered reptiles.

The large and beautiful Jorō spider poses no known direct threat to humans or pets. Like its cousin from Central and South America, the golden silk, Jorō is here to stay in the United States.  Jorō often becomes the dominant orb weaver in colonized locations. Here is the mystery.  How will Jorō affect indigenous orb weevers like the pretty marbled orb weaver, spotted orb weaver, and my favorite, the black and yellow garden spider, destroyer of stink bugs?  If you spot Jorō in your neighborhood, please report it to iNaturalist.

As with all non-native species that arrive on our shores, it is difficult to predict what impact they will have on our ecosystems but experts suggest that beyond their somewhat scary mien, and maybe giving our indigenous large orb weavers like the black and yellow garden spider, marbled orb weaver, and spotted orb weaver a run for their money. In locations in other parts of the world where Jorō is established, it often becomes the most abundant and dominant orb weaver. What will it mean for our resident spiders and their ecosystems? Only time will tell.

In 2022 when Bug of the Week first talked about the Jorō spider, its presence in the DMV was speculative. But in 2023, several sightings of the Jorō spider were confirmed by iNaturalist in Howard County Maryland. The fascinating part of this story stems from the fact that images clearly show both male and female Jorōs present in the landscape. How did they arrive in Maryland hundreds of miles distant from their southern redoubts? While ballooning is possible, the likelihood of both male and female spiderlings dropping from the sky into the same location and hooking up seems somewhat unlikely. Perhaps a gravid female spider or an egg case hitched a ride from down south and inadvertently arrived in eastern Howard County. The million-dollar questions are, of course, did the Jorō survive the mild winter of 2023-2024 in Maryland and will we see even more of this gorgeous spider this year? Clearly, a road trip to eastern Howard County is in order for the Bug Guy. One final tidbit about Jorō comes from Japanese folklore. Jorō is a shapeshifter known as Jorō-gumo. Jorō-gumo turns into a beautiful woman, seduces men, binds them with silk, and devours them. Yikes! Sounds like a bad date to me.

Acknowledgements

Bug of the Week thanks Rick Hoebeke for identifying Jorō as it arrived in the US and for providing insights into the ways of these large beautiful spiders. We also thank David Coyle and Bob Bellinger for sharing great images and knowledge of Jorō. Fascinating studies entitled “Veni, vidi, vici? Future spread and ecological impacts of a rapidly expanding invasive predator population by David R. Nelsen, Aaron G. Corbit, Angela Chuang, John F. Deitsch, Michael I. Sitvarin and David R. Coyle,  “Physiological evaluation of newly invasive Jorō spiders (Trichonephila clavata) in the southeastern USA compared to their naturalized cousin, Trichonephila clavipes” by Andrew K. Davis and Benjamin L. Frick, “Nephila clavata L Koch, the Joro Spider of East Asia, newly recorded from North America (Araneae: Nephilidae)” by E. Richard Hoebeke, Wesley Huffmaster, and Byron J Freeman, and “The Life Cycle, Habitat and Variation in Selected Web Parameters in the Spider, Nephila clavipes Koch (Araneidae)” by Clovis W. Moore ND provided the inspiration for this story and details surrounding the stars of this episode.

To see other large orb weavers and differentiate them from the Jorō spider, please click on this link: https://resources.ipmcenters.org/view/resource.cfm?rid=27877

To hear more about the Jorō spider and calm your fears about Jorō, please click on this link to watch Jorō guru David Coyle’s take on this spider: https://youtu.be/zhO_bwwg-E4?si=nhd9au-t-HRCmw6b

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Pest management is ultimately the responsibility of both the landlord or property owner and residents of an apartment building. Landlords must provide a healthy, safe environment where people can live. However, residents also play a part in maintaining their individual units and living up to the expectations of cleanliness set forth by property managers.  

As an apartment dweller, taking proactive measures like keeping your unit clean can make a big difference in an effective pest management strategy. Knowing what to look out for can help you head off pest problems before they become a nightmare instead of the dream you would want apartment living to be.  

Identifying Common Apartment Pests  

A seven-month study led by Rutgers University – New Brunswick’s professor of entomology, Changlu Wang, found that cockroaches are the most common apartment pests. Other frequently seen critters include rodents, bed bugs, ants, and termites. Catseye Pest Control has decades of experience handling these pests and more. Let’s explore signs to watch for, which can help you get ahead of pest problems before they become widespread infestations.  

Recognizing Signs of Cockroach Infestation 

In Wang’s study that surveyed 258 apartments spread across 40 buildings, 28% of respondents said they had dealt with cockroaches. Pest Control Technology (PCT) echoes that sentiment, citing cockroaches as the number one pest problem found in apartments. The German cockroach, which is tan or light brown with two dark stripes on its back, is the most common offender. Cockroaches can reproduce quickly, and they potentially contaminate surfaces in your home with dangerous germs. 

Identifying cockroaches early is critical for preventing a full-blown infestation. In addition to seeing living or dead cockroaches, some of the signs to watch for include: 

• New or worsening allergy symptoms or asthma attacks 
• Reddish-brown or brown streaks on surfaces that are difficult to clean  
• New musty or oily odors  
• Tiny dry droppings that look similar to coffee grounds 
• Shed exoskeletons and oblong-shaped red or brown egg cases 
• Chewed food, packaging, garbage, or even wallpaper, with droppings or egg cases nearby 

Identifying Rodent Entry Points 

Rodents are sneaky little critters that can slip through openings as tiny as a dime (mice) or a quarter (rats). Because of their ability to take advantage of small entry points, it’s critical to perform a thorough inspection. Roofs, chimneys, attics, exterior siding, garages, and outside debris piles are among common entry areas. Foundations, drainage pipes, vents, and utility lines with gaps or openings around them can also provide a “welcome” sign to rodents in search of shelter. 

Rodents are typically active at night, so you might not see them in action. Instead, it’s vital to watch for signs of a rodent infestation, including: 

• Scrambling or skittering sounds in ceilings and walls 
• Droppings, which are typically dark-colored and look a lot like grains of rice 
• Signs of chewing on walls, floors, siding, windows, and food packaging 
• Torn insulation, fabric, plant materials, and paper used for nesting 
• Stale, musty smells coming out of hard-to-see areas 

Understanding Bedbug Behavior 

Bed bugs have been feeding on the blood of humans since the dawn of humanity when people lived in caves. Their behavior can largely be explained by the bed bug’s cryptid lifestyle. They spend most of their time hiding and nesting in dark cracks and crevices, including mattress seams, behind baseboards, and in headboard joints.  

Bed bugs become active at night, usually feeding between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. before crawling back to their nests. These blood-drinking pests can crawl quickly and typically spread by catching a ride on luggage, clothing, and other soft items that make it easy for them to go from place to place. 

These insects reproduce quickly and can be challenging to eliminate. Because they wait until you are asleep to feed, you may not see live bugs. However, you can be alerted to a bed bug infestation if you see signs such as: 

• Red stains on mattresses and bedding caused by tiny drops of blood or crushed bugs 
• Excrement, which looks like dark spots, approximately the size of a pen point 
• Shed skins and eggshells near headboards and mattress seams 
• Small, itchy bites on your body that you can’t explain 

Spotting Signs of Ant Colonies 

Ants can be seriously challenging to eliminate, largely because they live in large colonies. Unless you can eliminate them at the source, it’s hard to achieve effective control. If you can find the colony, you have a better chance of controlling the infestation. Depending on the type of ants you have, you may need to look for piles of wood shavings, which could indicate the nest of carpenter ants. Most species look for areas with easy access to moisture to build their colonies. Check areas with wet or moist wood, leaking pipes, pipes covered in condensation, or other moisture-rich spots. 

How will you know to even look for a colony? Signs of an ant infestation include the following: 

• Seeing live ants, particularly a swarm on windowsills or other surfaces, or finding piles of dead ants  
• Spotting ants traveling in distinct patterns or trails 
• Locating hollow sounding wood or signs of crumbling, softening, or structural damage 

Identifying Termite Damage 

More than 500,000 U.S. homes experience termite infestations every year. These wood-destroyers cost upwards of $5 billion in damage annually and often wreak havoc silently until the damage is extensive. The most common termites are subterranean termites, which stay close to the ground. They chew patterns that look like honeycombs in wood and often create tunnels to lead from their nests to wood sources. 

Identifying termite damage is often the first sign of an infestation. Potential damage includes: 

• Buckled wood flooring or blistered wood surfaces 
• Windows and doors that become difficult to open 
• Small holes in wood, hollowed-out studs, and long grooves in wood left behind as termites remove the cellulose 

Prevention and Maintenance Tips 

The single best way to treat pest infestations is preventing them from ever occurring. Even the best measures aren’t 100% effective, but when you take a proactive approach to pest management, you can spot problems and eliminate them before they get out of hand and cause extensive damage to property and health.  

Proper Food Storage Techniques 

Many pests enter apartments in search of food and water. Eliminating easy access to these items can help reduce your risk of an infestation.  

• Keep food (including pet food) in sealed, air-tight, pest-proof containers made of metal, hard plastic, or glass. 
• Wash dishes after use and avoid leaving dirty dishes in the sink. 
• Store leftovers in proper containers. 
• Wipe down counters, clean up spills promptly, and vacuum or sweep floors to eliminate crumbs. 

Sealing Cracks and Gaps in Walls and Floors 

By sealing openings, you close off entryways that pests can use to get into your apartment. This can effectively halt the problem before it begins and reduce the spread of pests from other apartments to yours. 

• Use caulk to close off openings around door and window frames, baseboards, and cabinets.  
• Add steel wool to any voids surrounding pipes. 
• Use wire mesh to cover any holes. 

Regular Cleaning and Decluttering Practices 

Sanitation is one of the most powerful ways you can prevent pest problems. In addition to regularly wiping down your kitchen counters and floors, consider the following:  

• Regularly clear up any piles of clutter, including cardboard boxes, newspapers, mail, and debris that would give pests a spot to hide. 
• Clean under both small and large appliances frequently. 
• Promptly fix or report leaks and moisture problems. 
• Frequently remove trash from your apartment and use a pest-proof receptacle to contain it while it’s inside the unit. 

Using Pest-Repellent Plants Indoors 

Simple houseplants could offer an effective addition to your pest management and prevention strategy. Many plants contain compounds or scents that repel pests, helping to keep your space free of rodents and insects. A few examples include: 

• Herbs like basil, mint, sage, and rosemary 
• Lemongrass and citronella plants 
• Lavender and catnip 
• Marigolds 
• Chrysanthemums 
• Sweet pea 
• Wood hyacinth 
• Alliums 

Eco-Friendly Pest Control Methods  

The fewer chemicals you have to use, the more eco-friendly your pest control methods will be. That’s why Catseye recommends taking preventive measures first and foremost. Additionally, routinely inspecting your apartment to check for any signs of a pest infestation can be tremendously helpful. As soon as you see evidence of activity, contact your maintenance department so the landlord can take action.  

Depending on the pest, insecticides and pesticides may not be effective. For example, cockroaches are developing an increasing resistance to sprays and may not die after contact. Some eco-friendly pest control options to consider include: 

• Using natural pesticides like neem oil, which can alter pest lifecycles and inhibit reproduction 
• Excluding pests by closing off any gaps, cracks, crevices, and holes 
• Using essential oils like peppermint, tea tree, and citronella as natural repellents 
• Installing door sweeps and screening in windows 
• Spraying a vinegar and water mixture where pests, including ants, are often found 
• Placing citrus peels in cabinets and near your apartment entrance 

When to Call in Professionals 

Taking preventive measures, including instituting stringent cleaning protocols, eliminating clutter, and performing regular inspections, are helpful starting points. If you notice signs of a pest problem, contact your maintenance department or contact the professionals at Catseye Pest Control as soon as possible. Experts can get to the root of what’s happening, properly identify the pest, and devise a plan for the most effective treatment.  

Catseye’s technicians have extensive training and are well versed in the unique challenges that apartment dwellers face. Additionally, our approach is one that always focuses on the safest and most eco-friendly yet effective pest management strategy.  

Contact Catseye today to learn more about our apartment pest control services or to schedule a free inspection to get started.  

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A couple weeks ago, a bug aficionado inquired about an unusual, largish fly in his yard. This stranger was none other than a March fly, a member of the bibionid clan some 700 species strong. A few seasons back on a welcomed warm afternoon in April, swarms of March flies bobbed and weaved over the lawn in my backyard. In many parts of the land, March flies seem not to get the email and make their appearance in April or May rather than March, creating an interesting misnomer for these small flies. As a family of insects, March flies include randy Lovebugs, a.k.a Honeymoon bugs, so named for their behavior of remaining intwined in conjugal bliss for long periods of time. Adult flies do not bite or sting, but vast numbers emerging in spring and again in fall are a real nuisance to residents in some of our southern states. In addition to entering homes and bumbling about in the garden, Lovebugs splatter windshields of cars and trucks creating hazardous driving conditions. In some locations they become so numerous that they can clog radiators of cars.

 Since last growing season, March fly larvae have been consuming organic matter in the soil beneath my lawn. These tiny maggots are recyclers helping unlock the nutrients in decomposing plants and returning them to the food web that is my backyard. In late spring they complete development and form pupae which, with the warmth of spring weather, mature as acrobatic flies that emerge from the earth and perform over my zoysia grass. The aerial ballet of March flies consists mostly of males jockeying for position to capture a mate as female March flies emerge from the turf. One fascinating study of male swarming behavior discovered that larger males often occupied flight space nearer the ground where they chased other smaller males away – all the better to intercept nubile females as they rise from the earth. After mating, females return to the soil and lay more than 100 eggs to complete the circle of life.

On warm afternoons in March, April, and May swarms of March flies perform aerial acrobatics over the lawn. It’s all part of the mating game. A big-eyed male rests on a blade of grass before taking off to find a mate. And in southern states it’s easy to see why these flies carry the handle of Lovebugs and Honeymoon bugs. As larvae, they recycle organic matter in the soil while adults help keep our world green by pollinating plants.

Bobbing, weaving, chasing other males, and intercepting females in flight are facilitated by the large complex eyes of the males. These bulbous eyes are actually divided into dorsal and ventral visual systems with the dorsal eyes gathering information from above and the ventral eyes watching what lies below – truly a case of four eyes. However, clever photographic analysis has shown that the dorsal eyes are the ones used to gage pursuit of other March flies and to differentiate potential mates from potential competing suitors. In addition to being highly entertaining as they swarm in my yard, many March flies are important pollinators of spring blooming plants. Each spring my large holly tree gives forth with blossoms that March flies and a wild menagerie of bees, wasps, and other pollinators find irresistible.    

Acknowledgements

The interesting article “Sexual Dimorphism in the Visual System of Flies: The Free Flight Behaviour of Male Bibionidae (Diptera)” by Jochen Zeil was used as a reference for this episode. We thank Bill Miller for sharing his nice image of a March fly, which inspired this episode.

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Although they look similar to the cheerful bumblebee, carpenter bees have very different nesting habits than their fluffier counterparts. Bumblebees nest in existing cavities, including those left behind by rodents or in bird houses and man-made structures. Carpenter bees, on the other hand, create their own nests by digging into wood. In the process, these bees can create significant structural damage, which is why preventing carpenter bees from nesting on your property is essential. 

Catseye Pest Control has been providing carpenter bee infestation solutions to properties across Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire since 1987. Let’s explore some tips for how to get rid of carpenter bees and keep them from returning for long-term peace of mind.  

Carpenter Bees 101 

Before you can effectively deal with a carpenter bee infestation, it’s critical to properly identify these pests. These six-legged insects fall into the Apidae classification of long-tongued bees. They can be found worldwide on every continent with the exception of Antarctica. Throughout the United States, the most common species is the Eastern carpenter bee. 

Identifying Carpenter Bees 

You can find several species of carpenter bees in the U.S. The most common is the eastern carpenter bee (Xylocopa virginica), which has yellow and black coloration that makes them look similar to bumblebees. They are large insects, typically reaching 0.75 to 1 inch in length. Female carpenter bees have black faces, while males have yellow faces.  

Oftentimes, carpenter bees can be seen “hovering” near the eaves/roofline of the home whereas bumblebees often fly lower to the ground. Additionally, carpenter bees, when they have drilled into a piece of wood such as a trimboard, will leave a “splatter” of the drilled wood staining the siding. 

Other types of carpenter bees that live outside of this region include: 

Southern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa micans): Typically found in southern coastal areas and wetlands, they usually do not travel farther north than Virginia. These bees have a metallic sheen. 

California Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa californica): Also with a metallic body, these carpenter bees prefer making their nests in the limbs of soft, dry trees like oak trees. They can be found in California and throughout the Southwest. 

Violet Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa violacea): You may never get a chance to see this beauty in person because it is native to Asia and currently inhabits Asia and parts of Europe. The violet carpenter bee is shiny and black with iridescent wings with a violet-blue hue.  

One easy way to tell carpenter bees apart from bumblebees is to look at their abdomens. Carpenter bees have shiny, smooth, hairless black abdomens. In contrast, bumblebees have yellow and black hair on their abdomens.  

Behavior and Environment 

The Eastern carpenter bee is native to the U.S. These bees are important to the ecosystem because they are pollinators. Carpenter bees are rarely aggressive, although the females will sting if the nest is threatened. The danger comes from these solitary bees’ nesting habits. 

Females use their strong jaws to tunnel into wood, creating a network of tunnels to lay their eggs and raise their young. They don’t eat the wood. Rather, they feed on nectar and pollen. One female can excavate approximately one inch of wood daily. Over time, that can add up and create structural instability when those tunnels are created in fencing, decks, porches, and other structures.  

Preventing Carpenter Bee Infestations 

Year after year, carpenter bees may return to their old nests to continue working on them. Even though the damage may occur slowly, it can accumulate over time. Signs of a potential infestation include seeing bees hovering about, small piles of sawdust near perfectly “drilled” holes, and fan-shaped stains on the sides of a wooden structure.  

Preventing carpenter bees from nesting in your wooden structures is the best way to deal with them. When dealing with new construction, using hardwoods can help reduce the odds of carpenter bees attempting to create nests. Additional tips for prevention include the following: 

Sealing Entry Points 

Painting, varnishing, and using other products to seal wood can help deter carpenter bees. Additionally, adding metal flashing, wire screening, or another type of cap to the unfinished end of wood surfaces can also prevent the bees from tunneling into the wood. 

If you already have a few tunnels, you can seal those holes to discourage the bees from returning to expand the nest. Bees that overwinter in the tunnels typically come out in spring to mate, and new adult bees typically emerge from the nests in late summer. Time your project accordingly to ensure the tunnels are unoccupied. Then fill them with steel wool or wood putty and caulk over them and paint or varnish the wood to seal it.  

Removing Old Wood  

Sealing wood to create a barrier against carpenter bees and closing off holes is an excellent starting point. It’s also helpful to remove decaying and weathered wood from the property. This type of wood can attract carpenter bees to the area, making it more likely you could end up with an infestation. When building new structures, consider the benefits of using vinyl or composite materials to reduce the odds of attracting carpenter bees.  

Natural Remedies for Carpenter Bees 

Because they play a role in maintaining the environment and serve an important job as pollinators, using insecticides should be a last resort for dealing with carpenter bees.  

Homemade Deterrents 

A few easy DIY options to repel carpenter bees include: 

• Playing loud music near the nests, which causes the bees to exit, allowing you to seal it up 
• Spraying wood with citrus-scented products, which help repel bees because they don’t like the smell 
• Applying almond oil to wood, which works similarly to citrus in repelling carpenter bees 

Decoy Traps 

Carpenter bees won’t nest in the same area as wasps. To repel them, you can create a decoy wasp nest by adding air to a paper bag and closing off the end. Hang it near susceptible areas to keep bees from tunneling and building any new nests. 

This will not only prevent bees, but also repel those already living in your wooden structures. Installing traps that hang near nests, in roof eaves, and in overhangs can also help remove these pollinators safely.  

When to Call a Professional 

If you suspect a widespread carpenter bee problem or you are uncomfortable trying to handle the problem yourself, it’s time to contact professionals. Catseye’s friendly technicians have the experience, education, and equipment needed to promptly and safely eliminate the infestation and restore your peace of mind.  

Contact Catseye today to learn more about our services, including our preventive, ongoing Platinum Protection program. Schedule a free inspection to get started.  

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In a previous episode we met the invasive crapemyrtle bark scale, a dastardly sucking insect new to the DMV that wreaks havoc on our widely planted crapemyrtles. Populations of this eruptive pest reach fantastic densities on the bark of these flowering trees. As thousands of probing mouthparts remove plant sap, branches of crapemyrtle wither and die. Prodigious volumes of sweet sticky honeydew excreted by the bark scale rain down on leaves and bark of infested plants and coat underlying vegetation and objects. Carbohydrate rich honeydew serves as a medium for the growth of black sooty mold fungus which reduces the photosynthetic capacity of fouled plants. Even more problematic are the yellow jackets, paper wasps, and other stinging insects that are attracted to the honeydew.  

Ah, but there are heroes in this story and one such natural enemy of scales insects in general and crapemyrtle bark scale in particular are small black and red-spotted lady beetles known as Hyperaspis.  Several species of Hyperaspis are native to North America and many specialize at making meals of scale insects and their eggs, which are deposited in waxy egg sacs like those of the crapemyrtle bark scale. Larvae of Hyperaspis look much more like a mealybug than the fierce predators that they are. Cases of mistaken identity surround this predator insect and many of these fine beneficial insects are misidentified and mistakenly killed. The larva of Hyperaspis produces wax from glands lining its sides. This wax is more than a way to be styling. Studies of related species of waxy lady beetles reveal that the wax reduces the effectiveness of ants and other predators that might like to make a meal of a lady beetle larva. In this way, the wax serves much like the cloak of trash carrying lacewing larvae we met in a previous episode. One fairly easy way to distinguish the larva of this beneficial ladybug from pesky mealybugs is to give it a little poke in the behind. Mealybugs tend to stay in one place and move slowly. Ladybug larvae usually amble away quickly when disturbed.

Honeydew, sooty mold, and white waxy egg sacs full of pink eggs are hallmarks of dastardly crapemyrtle bark scales. But native heroes are on the scene, the larvae of lady beetles called Hyperaspis, wearing cloaks of white wax. See these two parked near egg sacs of the scale. What are they up to? Through the lens of the microscope, watch as one chews a hole in the egg sac, thrusts its head inside and gobbles up eggs, and then when finished, leaves to find another meal. After completing larval development and pupating, adults will return to the scale hunting ground to continue their carnage of crapemyrtle bark scales. You go Hyperaspis!

Hordes of waxy larvae may eat several thousand immature scale insects during the course of development and the adult beetles consume many harmful scales too. Later in summer, Hyperaspis larvae complete development and become adults. Although the larvae of Hyperaspis are somewhat hard to recognize as good guys, adult beetles are easily recognized. The ones we met in this episode are gorgeous shiny black beetles with four red spots adorning their wing covers. Some species of Hyperaspis have fewer spots or bear combinations of yellowish spots or stripes on their back. By early December, adults have departed scale-infested trees to spend the winter in protected locations beneath bark or in leaf litter on the ground. Next spring, they will return to scale-infested trees and lay eggs that will hatch into stealthy, wax-cloaked larvae. Keep an eye out for these small masters of disguise and when you see them, do not spray them with insecticides. They are working for you!   

Acknowledgements

The fascinating article “Hyperaspis Lady Beetles” by James Baker was consulted to prepare this episode. Thanks to Dr. Shrewsbury for help wrangling lady beetles.

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