Insects and mites
Insects and mites can damage the leaves, branches, roots, or stems of trees, either directly by feeding on these structures or indirectly by acting as vectors transmitting diseases. The damage can range from relatively minor issues, such as a negative affect on plant appearance, to more severe issues, including reduced tree growth and even tree death. Insects and mites, however, also play important ecological roles in forests by decomposing and recycling organic matter and nutrients, pollinating flowers, and serving as food sources for wildlife. Many insects and mites, acting as natural enemies (i.e., predators, parasitoids, or parasites) of pests, play a beneficial role in reducing pest populations. The study of insects is referred to as entomology, while the study of mites and ticks is called acarology. Insects and mites are classified according to a taxonomic system.
Index of common and scientific names of insects and mites
The insect or mite entries have sections containing nomenclature and taxonomy; general information and importance; distribution and hosts; symptoms and signs; life cycle; damage; prevention and management; selected references; and photographs of various life stages and damage.
Lady beetle (convergent lady beetle, Mexican bean beetle, Asian lady beetle)
Scientific name: Coccinella sp.
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Lady beetle (convergent lady beetle, Mexican bean beetle, Asian lady beetle)
Scientific name: Coccinella sp.
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Lambdina fiscellaria
(Guenée)
Common name: Hemlock looper
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Lambdina fiscellaria lugubrosa
(Hulst)
Common name: Western hemlock looper
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Lambdina fiscellaria somniaria
(Hulst)
Common name: Western oak looper
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Lapland syrphid fly
Scientific name: Eupeodes lapponicus (Zetterstedt)
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Larch casebearer
Scientific name: Coleophora laricella (Hubner)
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Larch needleworm
Scientific name: Zeiraphera improbana (Walker)
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Larch pug moth
Scientific name: Eupithecia annulata (Hulst)
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Larch sawfly
Scientific name: Pristiphora erichsonii (Hartig)
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Large aspen tortrix
Scientific name: Choristoneura conflictana (Walker)
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Large flesh fly
Scientific name: Sarcophaga aldrichi Parker
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Large oakapple gall
Scientific name: Amphibolips quercusinanis (Osten Sacken)
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Late birch leaf edgeminer
Scientific name: Heterarthrus nemoratus (Fallen)
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Lepidosaphes ulmi
(L.)
Common name: Oystershell scale
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Leptocorus trivittatus
(Say)
Common name: Redcrossed stink bug
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Lesser maple spanworm
Scientific name: Itame pustularia (Guen.)
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Lesser shothole borer
Scientific name: Xyleborinus saxeseni (Ratzeburg)
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Leucoma salicis
(L.)
Common name: Satin moth
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Lilac borer (Ash borer)
Scientific name: Podosesia syringae [Harr.]
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Lilac leafminer
Scientific name: Caloptilia syringella (Fabricius)
- Lithophane atara (J.B. Smith)
- Lithophane itata (Smith)
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Locust borer
Scientific name: Megacyllene robiniae (Forst.)
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Lodgepole terminal weevil
Scientific name: Pissodes terminalis (Hopping)
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Lombardy leafminer
Scientific name: Paraphytomyza populicola (Walker)
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Lonchaeid fly
Scientific name: Lonchaea corticis Taylor
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Lophocampa argentata
(Packard)
Common name: Silverspotted tiger moth
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Lymantria dispar
(Linnaeus)
Common name: Spongy moth