Author: Vicky Bertagnolli

Moth fly (Diptera: Psychodidae) Moth flies (order: Diptera) are in the family Psychodidae. Entomologists often refer to insects using a shortened version of the family name. In this instance, I...

Fasciation Fasciation (also called “cresting”) is a relatively rare plant growth condition that produces flattened, ribbon-like, crested, or contorted tissue in the stem, root, fruit, or...

Red Mites (Balaustium spp.) Several species of mites have population outbreaks after a change in seasons (particularly spring and fall). One of the tiny, fast-moving red mites commonly encountered...

Sculptured Pine Borer, Chalcophora virginiensis Sculptured pine borer is the largest metallic wood-boring beetle in the eastern United States; adult beetles can measure up to 1.25 inches long!...

Eastern Tent Caterpillar, Malacosoma americanum Tent Structure and Feeding Habits Eastern tent caterpillar, Malacosoma americanum, typically builds tents in the crotches of trees. (In contrast, fall...

Tea Scale, Fiorinia theae Symptoms of scale insect infestations may include chlorosis (yellowing), fewer and smaller blossoms, leaf drop, twig dieback, and sometimes plant decline or even plant...

Brown Snake, Storeria dekayi Brown snake, Storeria dekayi, is sometimes referred to as Dekay’s brownsnake. The relatively small (6-13 inches), nonvenomous brown snake is common throughout most of...

Moss There are more than 15,000 described species of moss worldwide. These underappreciated, primitive green plants fill spaces where other plants cannot or will not grow. Moss thrives in the...

Lichens There are about 3,600 described species of lichens in North America. Lichens are symbiotic partnerships between multiple organisms (a fungus and a green alga or cyanobacteria (blue-green...

Eyed click beetle, Alaus oculatus (Coleoptera: Elateridae) Eyed click beetle, Alaus oculatus, is a relatively large beetle found throughout eastern North America. The Entomological Society of...

Chinese Mantid Ootheca “Ootheca” is a Latinized term that comes from oo-, meaning “egg” and theca, meaning “cover”/”container”. An ootheca is an egg...