Giant Mesquite Bug

Physical Features

Adult Giant Mesquite Bugs are brownish black with orange to red bands on legs and wings.  The wingless nymph is mainly red with whitish markings.  Nymphs are often found in clusters (aggregations) when feeding.  The adults grow up to 2 inches in length.

Life Cycle

Gradual metamorphosis
Brown eggs are laid by the female on stems of the mesquite tree often in rows.  These eggs overwinter and hatch in the spring.  The young will grow to the adult stage changing in coloration and into a winged adult form.  Mating occurs and lain prior to adults dying by end of the summer.

Habits

• Diet: Mesquite stems and pods, plant juices.
• Activity: Active during spring and summer season, eggs overwinter.
• Preferred Climate: Warm and humid environments
• Defense:Odorous secretion, coloring.
• Cautions: Stinky secretion released if they feel in danger or are handled.
• Home Invasion: Rare but will enter in the adult stage usually in error.

Helpful Hints for Control

• Removal or minimal planting of mesquite trees on property.

Interesting Fact

These bugs will feed on all species of mesquite trees, but that’s the limit to range in food sources.





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Giant Red Velvet Mite

Dinothrombium sp.


Physical Features
Giant Red Velvet Mites are visible to the naked eye growing to a length of 1/2 inch.  They are covered with red, velvety fine hairs.  They have eight legs.
Life Cycle
Incomplete metamorphosis
Eggs are laid and young hatches emerging with six legs rather than eight.  The young will go through a series of molts reaching the adult stage and forming their fourth set of legs.
Habits
• Diet: Pests including termites.
• Activity: Mainly underground, but come above ground after monsoon rains.
• Preferred Climate: Warm, humid.
• Defense: Coloration.
• Cautions: Irritation can occur from the oils they release if on your skin, however, very rare to have human contact without human intent.
• Home Invasion: Not a typical concern since live in soil.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Keep other insect populations under control to minimize their food source.

Interesting Fact

In India, the oils of the Giant Red Velvet Mite are considered an aphrodisiac, therefore, these are often captured and sold in stores.





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Cornfield Ant

Lasius aleinus


Physical Features
Cornfield ants can vary in color from light to dark brown/black.  Relatively small ants, workers are the same size about 1/10 inch in length.  They have large eyes and their antenna’s first segment is longer than the size of their head.  When crushed they have an acid odor. One node on petiole.
Life Cycle
Complete Metamorphosis
New colonies are formed when mating flights occur in late summer to fall.  Eggs are laid and will hatch the next spring.  At this time the queen cares for the young until she has a worker caste that can assist and take over the care of the eggs.  The life cycle in an established colony takes an average of 3 weeks in the egg stage, in additional 3 weeks in the larval stage, with egg to adult stage being completed in about 4 months during warmer months.

Habits
• Diet: Insect juices and seeds.
• Activity: Outdoors
• Preferred Climate: Warm
• Defense: Do not sting
• Cautions: Clusters of mounds can take over open grounds, lawns.
• Home Invasion: They prefer to reside in open areas in yards, fields, golf courses. It is rare they are found in side, and typically if found inside, their nest site is outdoors. Nests will often be under rocks, woodpiles, along edges of landscaping. They are evident because of their cone-shaped mounds which can often develop into clusters of mounds if left untreated..
Helpful Hints for Control
• Quick response to treatment to avoid clusters of mounds forming.
• Regular pest control maintenance plan to ensure you are on top of pest problems when they begin.
• Maintain lawn and yard.
Interesting Fact
Cornfield ants store corn root-aphid eggs in their burrows during the winter and places the aphids back on the plants during the following spring.


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Mining Bee
Family Andrenidae


Physical Features
Mining bees are 3/8 to 5/8 inch long.  They excavate tunnels in the ground just like miners, hence the name.  The entrance holes are typically small in diameter.  These holes often have a small mound of dirt resembling a small ant hill.  These furry bees range in color from dark brown, red to black, metallic green, to striped. 
Life Cycle
Complete Metamorphosis
These solitary bees live singly in burrows in the ground, however large groups (aggregations) will sometimes live in same proximity due to the area being an ideal site to reside.  Female mining bees collect pollen and nectar and stockpile it inside a burrow.  She then deposits an egg on the food source for the larva to feed on once it hatches.  The larva will then pupate then emerging into the adult stage.  Over wintering occurs inside the burrows.  These bees are active for a minimal amount of time usually no longer than 1-2 weeks.
Habits
• Diet: Nectar and pollen.
• Activity: Spring to early summer
• Preferred Climate: Warm
• Defense: Sting rarely, but females will do so if provoked.
• Cautions: Population numbers fluctuate seasonally.
• Home Invasion: Occasionally can be a lawn pest especially if in an area that is dry and has little to no plant growth.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Extremely beneficial, minimal control should be done whenever possible.
• Plant thick turf or ground cover as a deterrent.
• Lawn or yard application of an insecticide in severe infestations.
Interesting Fact
The mining bee is one of the largest groups of solitary bees numbering over 1,300 known species worldwide.


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Springtails
Order Collembola


Physical Features
Normally, springtails are 1 millimeter in length and can vary in color depending on their species from a white, yellow, gray or dark gray color.  Depending on their suborder they will either be linear or globular shaped, however, all springtails have a key identifying feature, a furcula.  The furcula is an appendage extending from the abdomen with a clasp at the end.  When disturbed the furcula is release, snaps down, forcing the jumping movement away from that area.  Wingless.
Life Cycle
No Metamorphosis
Springtail will breed year round with development from egg to adult taking 5-11 weeks.  The young appear similar to the adult stage.  They will molt 4-5 times before reaching sexual maturity.  Some species will cover eggs with a glaze that helps protect them from dehydration for fungal attack.
Habits
• Diet: Algae, fungi, fungus spores, pollen, organic debris and decaying vegetable matter.
• Activity: Move in short runs than rest. Jumping motion can be about 4 inches high.
• Preferred Climate: Different species can live in varying temperatures, but all rely on moisture.
• Defense: Furcula allowing quick movement away from area.
• Cautions: Can grow to high numbers and invade homes or be found floating in pools in large numbers.
• Home Invasion: Normally invades homes when outdoor temperatures are increasing and exterior moisture is reduced. Their interior search is for their preferred environments, moisture.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Reduce excessive moisture or repair leaks.
• Replace infested soils or mulch.
• Attracted to light at night so reduce outdoor lighting.
• Perimeter pest control treatment if entering inside.
Interesting Fact
Springtails are great decomposers breaking down organic wastes, however, large populations can become a nuisance.


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Digger Bee
Family Anthophoridae


Physical Features
Digger bees, another example of native bees,  are hairy bees about ½ inch to 2/3 inch long. 
Life Cycle
Complete Metamorphosis
Males will search for females flying over nest sites and resting on plants nearby.  Once they have mated. The adult female will lay an egg in a burrow and collect pollen back for the larva to feed on once hatched.  The larva will overwinter feeding and maturing.  Pupation occurs early spring with emergence beginning of the summer season.  These solitary bees will live independently, not depending on a colony for their survival.  Adults live about 1 month.  One generation occurs per year.
Habits
• Diet: Adults feed on flower nectar.
• Activity: Typically seen in summer.
• Preferred Climate: Warm
• Defense: Sting. Females only sting.
• Cautions: Will sting if provoked.
• Home Invasion: Female digger bees will infest yards if barren creating small mounds with an opening at the top. In some cases large clusters will be created of these mounds as this solitary bee will often be living in large clusters (aggregations) when prime conditions exist. This can be intimidating to the homeowner.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Properly fertilize and water lawns promoting healthy turf.
• Targeted insecticide treatment may be necessary if larger populations, aggregations occur to prevent possibility of begin stung.
Interesting Fact
Digger bees line their underground tunnels with a thin waxy substance.


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Leafcutter Bee
Family Megachilidae


Physical Features
Another native bee, the leaf cutter is ¼ inch to ¾ inch long metallic or dark colored bee.  Carry pollen in a pouch called a scopula located on the abdomen underside. 
Life Cycle
Complete Metamorphosis
Leafcutters are solitary bees where the female takes care of all the work unlike behavior of colony bees that are assigned a role per caste.  The female lays 35-40 eggs at a time inside nests created from leaves.  They are filled with nectar and pollen for the larva to feed once hatched.  Pupation occurs over the winter with the adults beginning to emerge in spring and living up to two months.
Habits
• Diet: Adult feed on flower nectar.
• Activity: Spring and summer.
• Preferred Climate: Warm.
• Defense: Sting.
• Cautions: Sting only when provoked or handled.
• Home Invasion: Will excavate holes in soft wood or plant stems for a harborage point. They will cut leaves making a smooth ¾ inch semicircular cut at the edge of leaves. This can be damaging to yard vegetation especially leaves of rose, green ash, and lilac. These are not eaten but are used to form around a dozen nests inside holes. Do not cause harm to structures.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Cover plants with loose netting when leafcutters are found to be active.
• Remove host plants.
• Place white glue on tips of recently pruned roses.
Interesting Fact
Velvet ants and certain blister beetles are among the list of predators of the leafcutter bee.


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Fruit Fly
Family Drosophilidae


Physical Features
The most distinguishing feature is the Fruit Fly’s red eyes.  These flies are about 1/8 inch long with a tan body with a black rear.  They are covered with small hairs.
Life Cycle
Complete Metamorphosis
Females lay up to 500 eggs on surfaces of fruits or vegetable.  The larva will hatch and begin to feed on this material.  The larva will molt twice as they continuously feed on the surface of their food.  They will move to a dry area near the original food source to pupate.  The development to the adult stage takes typically 7 days in prime environmental conditions.
Habits
• Diet: Prefer to feed on rotting fruits and vegetables, but will feed on any fermenting materials including in drains, trash containers, and mops.
• Activity: Year round inside a structure. Outside more common summer/fall.
• Preferred Climate: 75-85 degree Fahrenheit
• Defense: Fast breeding cycle can keep them populating in high numbers making it hard to control populations.
• Cautions: Mainly a nuisance, however, they have potential to contaminate food with bacteria. One single rotting food source can breed thousands of fruit flies
• Home Invasion: Brought in when contaminated fruits and vegetables are transported into the home from garden or grocery. Can also enter home through doors or windows left opened or not properly sealed.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Ensure door and window screens fit tightly.
• Discard, eat or refrigerate ripened fruits and vegetables.
• Locate and eliminate/sanitize source of infestation.
• Residual insecticide application in specific target points for fruit flies.
Interesting Fact
Studying fruit flies has been an important in the study of genetics.


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Jerusulem Cricket
Stenopelmatus fuscus


Physical Features
Up to 2 inches long, Jerusalem crickets are most recognized for their large, bald, shiny and curved brown head with two wide set dark eyes.  They have long brown antennae with an abdomen that is black and brown striped. 
Life Cycle
Gradual metamorphosis
Mating will occur in the spring.  The female will eat the male after they have mated.  She will lay her eggs in small burrows she makes in the soil.  Nymphs and adults are wingless and slow moving.  Development will occur in one year.
Habits
• Diet: Mainly feed on dead insects, but also feed on root or tubers.
• Activity: Mainly at night but can be early morning or evening
• Preferred Climate: Arid climates.
• Defense: Nest about six inches under soil (typical moist, loose soil.)
• Cautions: Larger sized cricket which can worry people, but they are not a concern.
• Home Invasion:  Infrequently enter homes. Usually reside in small numbers or singly.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Remove items sitting on soil. They will often reside under these in the soil.
Interesting Fact
Jerusalem crickets have powerful jaws that, if pestered, they will use to bite.  They are not poisonous.


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Bordered Plant Bug
Largidae sp.


Physical Features
The adult bordered plant bug is about ½ inch long.  It is grey to black with orange around the margins of the head (pronotum) and abdomen.  They have piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Life Cycle
Gradual Metamorphosis
The nymphs are black with a red triangular marking on the back of abdomen.  They are wingless but develop wings by adulthood and the adult markings. Females lay eggs next to a host plant.  Nymphs hatch from eggs after 5 to 8 days.  They will reach adult stage after 21-35 days and 5 instars.
Habits
• Diet: Feeds on liquid from plant tissues mainly from flowers and fruit.
• Activity: Spring to fall near flowering plants or weeds.
• Preferred Climate: Warm climates.
• Defense: Markings warning of the noxious chemical exuded if captured by a predator.
• Cautions: Although they feed on plants, they are considered to cause little to know damage to them.
• Home Invasion: Will start entering homes in the fall seeking shelter to overwinter. Not considered to be of any danger. Nuisance.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Keep weeds removed.
• Seal cracks and crevices that they could enter the home. Do not leave doors open.
• Exterior pest control in cracks and crevices to prevent interior entry.
Interesting Fact
Aposematic is the term used for the warning coloration of many insects like the bordered plant bug signaling to their predator danger.


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Green Metallic Bee / Sweat Bees
Family Halictidae


Physical Features
A Green Metallic bee is one of over 500 species of native bees called sweat bees.  Their name appropriately is derived from the green metallic coloring of their body, however, other sweat bees can be blue or bronze.  These small bees range from 1/8 to ½ inch long.
Life Cycle
Complete metamorphosis
The adult sweat bee will lay an egg in a burrow and collect pollen back for the larva to feed on once hatched.  Pupation occurs during the winter completing development their second year.  These solitary bees will live independently, not depending on a colony for their survival.
Habits
• Diet: Adults feed on flower nectar.
• Activity: Typically seen in summer.
• Preferred Climate: Warm
• Defense: Rarely sting but will if provoked
• Cautions: Attracted to human and animal sweat
• Home Invasion: Will infest yards if barren creating small mounds with an opening at the top. In some cases large clusters will be created of these mounds as this solitary bee will often be living in large clusters (aggregations) when prime conditions exist. This can be intimidating to the homeowner.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Properly fertilize and water lawns promoting healthy turf.
• Targeted insecticide treatment may be necessary if larger populations, aggregations occur to prevent possibility of begin stung.
Interesting Fact
Sweat bees received their name due to being attracted to human and animal sweat.  They will land on your body and collect sweat droplets.


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Pocket Gopher
Thomomys bottae


Physical Features
The Botta pocket gopher is one of the most common gopher species found in Southern Arizona.  These gophers reside mainly underground and are seen rarely unless coming to the surface to create a new hole or open an existing hole for channeling of air into tunnel system or to feed on leaves at base of a tree.  These holes are typically no further than a body length from the plant base for easy access and quick reprieve back into their protected harborage.  When seen the gopher is described as 6-10 inches long, long front teeth used for digging.  They are dark gray to white in color.  Small ears and eyes with large forelimbs and claws. 
Life Cycle
Reach sexual maturity at one year with a life span of three years.  Gophers typically produce one to three litters per year depending on if area is irrigated.  The female will have 5-6 per litter.  Young will stay with mother until they are about two months.  At that time they will leave to live independently creating a new tunneling system.
Habits
• Diet: Omnivores feeding on roots, tubers, grass, and plants.
• Activity: Active year round in irrigated areas.
• Preferred Climate: Warm and humid environments
• Defense: Rarely leaves underground tunnel except males will leave during mating season in search of a female mate. Plug holes to block out predators from entering their extensive tunnel systems.
• Cautions: Tunneling can cause ground to concave easily when walked on which can cause injury.
• Home Invasion: Gophers can be destructive to irrigated lawns and grounds.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Reduce irrigation.
• Injecting of rodenticide using a gopher probe into tunnel system.
• Installation and monitoring of traps into tunnel system.
Interesting Fact
Tunneling systems can cover 200 – 2,000 square feet with 60 or more gophers residing in one acre.  Several mounds are created per day by one gopher.


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Cicada Killer Wasp
Sphecius speciosus


Physical Features
Cicada killers are large, solitary wasps reaching up to 1 ½ inches in length.  Their bodies are black with yellow markings on the abdomen.  Wings are reddish brown.
Life Cycle
Complete metamorphosis
Adults emerge from the soil in summer.  Males and females will feed, mate and begin making small burrows about 6 inches deep in the soil surface preparing for when the female lays her eggs.  The female will search for cicadas in or near trees.  They will sting the cicada causing paralysis then drag the cicada or multiple cicadas into one burrow, lay one egg, then seal burrow so development can occur.  The larva will begin feeding after hatching 2-3 days later.  Approximately a week later pupation is initiated and continues through the winter until the adult emerges the following June.  One generation each year.
Habits
• Diet: Adults feed on flower nectar.
• Activity: Adults active during summer months.
• Preferred Climate: Warm temperatures.
• Defense: Warning colorations and size.
• Cautions: Females burrowing in same area forming aggregations can be a nuisance. Females will sting if provoked.
• Home Invasion: Bare ground clear of vegetation is most susceptible of being used for burrowing.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Properly fertilize and water lawns promoting healthy turf.
• Targeted insecticide treatment may be necessary if larger populations, aggregations occur to prevent possibility of begin stung.
Interesting Fact
Cicada wasps are one species of over 130 that are digger wasps.


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Tarantula Wasp
Pepsis spp.


Physical Features
Tarantula Wasp, often called Tarantula Hawk,  are large, black wasps with either black or orange wings.  They have large bodies over 2 inches long.  They have black antennae.
 
 
Life Cycle
Complete Metamorphosis
The female will hunt for a tarantula spider to serve as food for the larva.  She will sting the spider causing its permanent paralysis.  The spider (if not already inside of its burrow) will be dragged into the hole.  She will lay an egg on the spider and seal the burrow.  The larva will hatch attaching to the spider and sucks out the internal fluid over a period of several months. 
Habits
• Diet: A Nectivorous. Adults feed on nectar from fruit or flowers.
• Activity: Dusk or nighttime
• Preferred Climate: Dry, warm climates
• Defense: Large size and aposematic markings
• Cautions: Painful stings if agitated.
• Home Invasion: These cockroaches are often known as sewer roaches and are primarily found outdoors. They occasionally enter homes. Rarely found inside.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Relocate tarantulas if they are found on your property.
• Ensure window and door screens are tightly sealed to avoid accidental entry into the home.
Interesting Fact
Roadrunners are predators of the Tarantula Wasp.


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House Cricket
Acheta domesticus


Physical Features
The house cricket is straw colored with 3 dark bands on the head.  It is ¾ inch to 1 inch long. Long, thin antennae.
Life Cycle
Gradual metamorphosis
A male cricket will call to the female in a three chirp call to attract the female.  After mating, the female cricket lays one egg at a time with a total of about 728 eggs in prime temperatures, typically in low 80˚F.  The eggs are mainly laid in cracks and crevices in main harborage points.  The female releases the eggs from an ovipositor at the tip of her abdomen.  The eggs take about 12 weeks before hatching.  The nymph will begin to develop going through a series of 11 molts before reaching the adult stage.  The time for this to be achieved is between 30-33 weeks.
Habits
• Diet: Omnivores. Prefer fruits, dough products, insects, and meats.
• Activity: Nocturnal
• Preferred Climate: Warmer climates
• Defense: Calling sounds
• Cautions: Will damage fabric or paper. Will migrate in large numbers.
• Home Invasion: They like warm places so may migrate inside when weather is getting colder. Often they are found in wall voids, behind baseboards, under pots, near trash cans, wood piles, near fireplaces, garbage dumpsters, and other places where warmth is available.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Seal cracks and crevices that crickets can enter to live.
• Regular trash removal.
• Minimize lighting at night or use yellow lights.
• Regular pest control service to keep all pest levels low that may attract crickets to the area for food.
Interesting Fact
In 1939, swarms of house crickets in India were documented being as large as 220 yards long and 100 yards wide. 


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Solpugids
Eremobates pallipes


Physical Features
Solpugids often get mistaken for scorpion.  Although this is an arachnid it is neither a scorpion nor spider.  They are 1/2 inch to 1 1/4 inch long.  Light to dark brown in coloring.  Eight legs with an additional set called pedipalps that are used to catch and hold prey.  Another distinguishing feature is the large pincerlike jaws.  It has no tail, stinger or venom glands.
Life Cycle
Gradual metamorphosis
The female lays 50-200 eggs after mating into burrows.  She will stand guard protecting her eggs while they develop (about 2 weeks.)  The young solpugids will stay with the mother after hatching at which time she will care and feed for them.  The life span is estimated at one year, with one generation being produced during that time.
Habits
• Diet: Juice of insects including termites, bees, bedbugs. Will eat lizards and small mice.
• Activity: Nocturnal
• Preferred Climate: Dry, desert regions
• Defense: Quickly moves, catches prey with pedipalps then uses fangs to kill their prey.
• Cautions: They will be hiding during the day under rocks and in burrows
• Home Invasion: Rarely seen in the home unless they entered in search of food.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Seal any cracks and crevices that could allow entry into home.
• Check weather stripping around doors and windows for good seal.
• Reduce lighting near doorways that would attract insects thus the solpugid in search of food.
• Pest prevention management plan to keep insect level to a minimum thus reducing the solpugid food source.
Interesting Fact
Their common name, windspider, is derived from the fact they can run very fast “like the wind.”


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Casemaking Clothes Moth
Tinea pellionella


Physical Features
Adults are brownish, ¼ inch long wings with fringe of hairs on the edge.  The wings have three dark spot which can fade as the adult ages.  One eye is on each site of the head.  Larva are white , creamy and shiny and about ½ inch long.  Pupation cases are the same color as the item being digested by the larva.
Life Cycle
Complete metamorphosis
Females lay eggs one at a time or in clusters.  The eggs hatch within 4-10 days.  The destructive larva will feed on fabrics and use the excrements to form their pupation cases.  This will occur through a series of molts ranging from 5-45.  The adults will emerge from cases within 2 months typically but can take several years for this to occur. Once they have emerged, they will die shortly after they lay eggs, usually within a month.  Adults do not feed.
Habits
• Diet: Larva feed on woolen and animal fibers. Will feed on old insects that have died in walls.
• Activity: Mainly an interior pest staying away from well lit areas.
• Preferred Climate: Sensitive to severe cold and hot temperatures and dry climates. Prefer humidity at 75%.
• Defense: Pupating larva blend into fabrics they are laying on going undetected
• Cautions: Larva will create holes in fabrics.
• Home Invasion: Typically brought in on fabrics, rugs, old clothing.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Exposing fabrics to severe cold (72 hours) or heat (30 minutes) for lethal effect.
• Thoroughly inspect fabric items before bringing into home. Tightly seal stored fabrics.
• Pheromone traps for adults can be utilized in severe infestations. Finding the source of the larva and removing and cleaning area is necessary for full control.
Interesting Fact
Larva can sometimes be found in air ducts feeding on pet hair, lint collected in this area.


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Boxelder Bug
Boisea trivitatta or Boisea rubrolineata


Physical Features
Gray brown to black bodies with orange to red margins on base of wings.  Three red-orange stripes on the prothorax.  They are a ½ inch in length and have wings that overlap forming an X.  Nymphs are 1/16 of an inch and bright red when they hatch. 
Life Cycle
Gradual Metamorphosis
After overwintering, the females and males will feed for about two weeks prior to mating.  The female will then lay eggs in cracks and crevices in the tree bark.  The nymphs that hatch are bright red and will complete 5 molts (instars) prior to reaching the adult stage which takes about 60 days.  The adults will have fully developed wing pads and wings.  Two generations will occur from spring to fall.
Habits
• Diet: Sap from female boxelder trees, see, foliage and twigs. Will also feed on maple, pear and ash trees.
• Activity: Will live in clusters and migrate in large groups that often overwhelm homeowners.
• Preferred Climate: Warmer temperatures from spring to early fall.
• Defense: Dark markings on wings
• Cautions: Some species may stain interior of home with excrement
• Home Invasion: Will enter homes in fall for shelter for overwintering. Travel in large clusters many times.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Seal entry points allowing access into interior of home.
• Removal of food source including boxelder trees from yard.
• Pesticide application to south side of home or fence lines where bugs rest in the fall for warmth.

Interesting Fact

Boxelders will fly as far as 2 miles from their original harborage point.





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Pavement Ant

Tetramorium caespitum


Physical Features
This stinging ant is approximately 1/10 to 1/8 inch long.  Dark brown to black, these ants have workers that are all the same size.  They have one pair of spines and noticeable grooves on their head and thorax.
Life Cycle
Complete metamorphosis
These ants mainly swarm to form new colonies in spring, but when they invade and preside inside structures this behavior can happen any season.  The queen produces 5-20 eggs per day with larva developing into an adult over a period of two months. 

Habits
• Diet: Feed on a variety of foods with greasy, sweet materials being preferred. Will also feed on seeds, dead insects and fruit.
• Activity: More active during spring and summer months. Active all year when an interior problem. Will forage up to 30 feet to get to a food source.
• Preferred Climate: Spring time temperatures in Arizona 70-75 degrees.
• Defense: Nest in protected areas typically under cement slabs, edges of rocks or inside structures under the foundation.
• Cautions: Immediate action when on the outside helpful to avoid infestations from moving indoors.
• Home Invasion: Pavement ants will emerge from edges of cement foundations, structural voids, under rockscapes. They are often found near water sources including leaky pipes.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Repair any leaky pipes and minimize any potential water collection.
• Keep yards well maintained to minimize harborage points and food sources.
• If found, an ongoing pest control maintenance plan can help prevent future infestations.
Interesting Fact
Pavement ant colonies living next to each other will fight.  This is a great spectator sport for anyone interested in watching their “ant wars.”


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Pharaoh Ant
Monomorium pharaonis


Physical Features
Pharaoh ants vary in color from a golden yellow, red with black markings on it’s top abdomen.  Queens are larger than worker.  Workers are 1/16 to 1/12 inch long and Queens 3/16.
Life Cycle
Complete Metamorphosis
The pharaoh ant develops from egg to adult in a 38 day period.  Queens lay 10-12 eggs at a time totaling 400.  The eggs develop in 7-8 days before a larva emerges.  The larva feed from around 18 days then pupate an average of 12 days.  They live in large colonies with multiple queens.  Queens will live for at least one year while males will die 3-5 weeks after mating. Unlike other ants the queen and males do not have nuptial flights; instead, to start new colonies they will move away from the existing colony in a process called budding.  Many times satellite colonies are connected allowing for brood, workers and food to be shared between these nests.  These large colonies can reach worker populations over 300,000.
Habits
• Diet: Omnivores feeding on fats, proteins and carbohydrates including other insects.
• Activity: More active during evening and in environments including monsoon seasons. Will be active year round indoors.
• Preferred Climate: Humid conditions usually in temperatures ranging 80-90 degrees.
• Defense: Budding behavior is a defense when danger is present.
• Cautions: Primarily found indoors becoming a major nuisance.
• Home Invasion: Pharaoh ants will live in any place that provides prime conditions with heat and moisture prevalent. They will move following pipes and electrical conduit to other areas of a home. Nests inside are primarily in wall voids near heating units or in bathrooms/kitchens where more humid. However, pharaoh’s have been found in less expected places including in linens, curtain rods, wood piles and gutters.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Repair any leaky pipes and minimize any potential water collection.
• Keep yards well maintained to minimize harborage points and food sources.
• IPM approach to control necessary to successfully reduce the potential budding behavior and expansion of colonies.
Interesting Fact
Twenty types of bacteria of medical importance have been isolated from pharaoh ants.


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Odorous House Ant
Tapinoma sessile


Physical Features
Odorous house ants get their name from the strong odor released if they are crushed.  These dark brown to black insects have workers that are 1/8 inch long.  They have 14 teeth with the first two teeth being enlarged at the tip of the mandible.  Key identifying features is an uneven thorax and a hidden node on the petiole.
Life Cycle
Complete Metamorphosis
Odorous house ants live in large colonies numbering up to 10,000 ants with multiple queens.  The ant will complete its development from egg to adult in 5-9 weeks during late spring and summer.  Time for each stage are 11-26 days for eggs, 13-29 days for larva and 10-28 days for pupa.  Workers and females will live for several years.  Males die within a few days of emerging.  New colonies are formed through both nuptial flights and budding behavior. 
Habits
• Diet: Prefer sweets(honeydew excreted from plants) but will feed on dead or live insects.
• Activity: Workers are active 24 hours a day. They are active inside year round. More active in spring and summer outside..
• Preferred Climate: Temperatures ranging from 50-90 degrees.
• Defense: Produce 4-5 generations a year and spread in multiple ways aiding in successful colony survival.
• Cautions: Pungent smell excreted when crushed
• Home Invasion: These pests often enter the home from the outside which needs to be inspected even when you are discovering activity only on the inside. Nests will be found in soil often along base of trees. Inside they will be in wall voids, beneath floors, and other voids.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Keep trees trimmed so branches do not touch house and give a highway into home.
• Caulk cracks and crevices where they may be able to enter home.
• Keep pet food and food in pantries tightly sealed.
• Good sanitation practices helps eliminate potential food sources.
• Regular pest control maintenance can be helpful in preventing infestations.
Interesting Fact
Odorous house ants often will coexist in bee colonies.  Bees are not negatively affected and the ant benefits from the heat bees produce.


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Big Headed Ant
Pheidole


Physical Features
These ants get their name due to the size of the head on the major workers(soldiers), which is larger compared to the size of their body.  Workers range in size from 1/16 to 1/8 in length and can vary in color from light brown to dark reddish brown.  The pedicel has two nodes.
Life Cycle
Complete Metamorphosis
Multiple queens are found in these large colony ants.  “Supercolonies” often are formed, or colonies that interconnect appearing as one large colony.  Reproduction occurs during the budding process instead of nuptial flights.  The workers far outnumber the rest of the ant caste system. 
Habits
• Diet: Feed on live and dead insects, seeds and honeydew. Sweets, fats and proteins inside homes.
• Activity: Will reside with other colonies as one large colony
• Preferred Climate: Dry, warmer climates
• Defense: Multiple nests help with survival success
• Cautions: Piles of sand
• Home Invasion: Will enter homes for food, but is mainly a soil nester residing along cracks in foundation, under slabs or in expansion joints. Will also nest in pots that can be transported inside homes.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Thoroughly check pots before transporting plants inside a home.
• Seal any cracks and crevices in foundation.
• Ongoing pest control service for prevention.
Interesting Fact
Some species of big headed ants will make mud tubes that are similar to subterranean termites, which can cause a misidentification of the pest problem.


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Crazy Ant
Paratrechina longicornis


Physical Features
Dark brown to black, workers are one size approximately 1/10 inch.  The scape (first segment of the antenna) is twice the length of the head.  Long legs relative to body size.
Life Cycle
Complete Metamorphosis
New colonies created when reproductive engage in nuptial flights and also “budding” or breaking apart from an existing colony.  Multiple queens live in one colony.  Moderate size colonies normally:  40 queens and 2,000 workers.
Habits
• Diet: Live/dead insects, seeds, honeydew, fruits, household foods. Seasonal preferences.
• Activity: Known for its erratic, rapid movements
• Preferred Climate: Warm, humid and dry
• Defense: Bites then releases an acidic liquid that causes burning sensation
• Cautions: Burning sensation if bit, see previous
• Home Invasion: Will find way into home or can be transported by plants into home. Sets up multiple nests making it hard to control. On outside nests have little to no mounds and can be difficult to identify harborage points. Base of trees, foundations, under mulch or vegetation are most common harborage points outdoors. Will forage far for food so much track to harborage point to get to source. This can be difficult due to their random movements.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Regular waste removal due to residing sometime in trash receptacles
• Regular landscape maintenance
• Seal cracks and crevices to prevent interior entry
• Ongoing pest control service for prevention.
Interesting Fact
The Rasberry Crazy Ant is a new species of crazy ant discovered in Texas by a pest control operator, Tom Rasberry.


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Southern Fire Ant
Solenopsis xyloni


Physical Features
Workers vary in size from 1/16 to 1/4 inch long.  Mandible has 3 teeth and they also have large eyes. Body is yellowish to reddish with a mostly black abdomen.  There body is covered with yellow hairs.  Stinger is prevalent.
Life Cycle
Complete Metamorphosis
Queens lay a high number of eggs, over 1,000, in one day.  Hatching occurs in 14-30 days with development to the adult stage being achieved in as little as 44 days.  Colonies can reach up to 10,000 workers with multiple queens.
Habits
• Diet: Omnivores. Meats, greases, butter, seeds, grains, fruits, plant base, nuts.
• Activity: More active in morning and early evening.
• Preferred Climate: Warm weather.
• Defense:Stings
• Cautions: Painful stings.
• Home Invasion: Like to be near moisture in soil. Their nests are flattened with little to no mound and are typically 2-4 feet wide and shallow. They will have one to several openings in the nests. Inside a home they can be found in void, under carpets. They also will be found in wood piles.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Check firewood prior to moving indoors for ant activity.
• Repair any leaky faucets. Resist over-watering landscaping.
• Aggressive baiting program and preventative pest control plan.
Interesting Fact
Southern Fire Ants have been known to chew through plastic covering wires.


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Rover Ant
Brachymyrmex


Physical Features
Tiny, 1/16 to 1/12 inch long, Rover ants are dark brown to pale blonde ants.  One node on petiole, non-stinging.  Workers are similar in size.  Nine antennal segments is a key feature of Rover Ants.  Swollen abdomen covers petiole.
Life Cycle
Complete Metamorphosis
Single queen colonies.  Colonies small in size but can have several colonies in one area.  Reproduce through swarming in Spring and Summer. More research being completed on these ants.
Habits
• Diet: Honeydew from aphids and similar insects is favorite food source. Protein also a food source.
• Activity: Often seen moving vertically up objects and plants.
• Preferred Climate: Moist, warm environments.
• Defense: Small, independent colonies
• Cautions: May need a few follow-ups to eliminate.
• Home Invasion: Usually found in homes near a moisture source. Bathrooms, kitchens especially if leaky pipes exist. Outside they are found in soil or wood piles.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Repair leaky pipes and do not over-water yards.
• Keep honeydew producing insects to a minimum through landscaping maintenance.
• Pest control plan targeting interior voids and exterior perimeter.
Interesting Fact
Southern Arizona researchers believe that Rover Ants are successfully moving into our area because larger native species are not aggressive against them, an atypical behavior.


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Orb Spiders
Araneidae


Physical Features
Many species with varying coloring and markings (pictured Garden Orb Spider.)  Females larger than males.  Females are 3/4 to 1 1/8 inches and males are 1/4 to 3/8 inches.  Orb spiders have three claws per foot to handle threads in their intricate webs.  They have an egg shaped abdomen.
Life Cycle
Gradual metamorphosis
Males will seek a female during the fall.  Breeding once a year, the female will produce 300-1400 eggs wrapped in one or more egg sacs attached near the center of the web.  The newly hatched spiders will overwinter and become active the next spring.  The male and female often die after mating, but the female can live for several years in warmer climates, however, typical life span is one year.

Habits
• Diet: Eat small insects captured in their webs.
• Activity: Active day and night but typically spin webs in evening then eat the web in the morning. New web constructed each day usually in same place.
• Preferred Climate: Humid, warm environments.
• Defense: Vibrations on web signal to spider something nearby.
• Cautions: May bite if disturbed but the venom is not known to cause major problems to humans unless allergic. Bite can be painful.
• Home Invasion: Typically an outdoor pest often seen in gardens or trees. If found inside, this spider was probably transported accidentally.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Landscaping pruned regularly.
• Lighting low to keep their prey/food source to minimum.
• Preventative pest control service to keep prey/food source to minimum.
Interesting Fact
Orb weavers are considered to be beneficial pests since they eat disease bearing insects like mosquitoes and flies.


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Silverfish
Lepisma saccharina


Physical Features
Gray to light brown, scaly exoskeleton typically 1/2 inch to 5/8 inch.  Has three long taillike appendages extending from the tip of the abdomen.  Carrot shaped when viewed from the top.  Silverfish have chewing mouthparts and long antennae.
Life Cycle
No Metamorphosis
The young look similar to the adults but are white with no scales.  The egg hatches between 19-43 days in prime conditions.  The nymph molts 3-4 times before reaching sexual maturity, adult state. The time for this to occur can range 2-3 months up to 2-3 years.  The male and female exhibit courting behaviors including antenna touching and head wagging.  The adult female will lay 1-3 eggs per day during their 2-3 ½ years of life.  Eggs are about 1/25 of an inch long.  The inseminated female will produce an estimated 1,500 to 3,500 young.
Habits
• Diet: Carbohydrates and proteins. Glue, starchy items. Paper and rayon. Human foods. Can survive weeks without food and water.
• Activity: Will travel distances in search of a food source. Once found they will harbor nearby. Nocturnal.
• Preferred Climate: 45 to 85 degree temperatures.
• Defense: Live in aggregations (clusters) due to pheromones that are released attracting other silverfish to a prime harborage area.
• Cautions: Can damage clothing, paper items including wallpaper, foods.
• Home Invasion: Can be found in cracks and crevices indoors including behind molding, wallpaper, under rugs, wall voids, attics, crawl spaces, linen closets, bookshelves, etc.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Good sanitation practices and inspection of the interior home.
• Reduce moisture. Keep areas dry.
• Store food in tightly sealed containers.
Interesting Fact
Silverfish have been found infesting attics in Tucson.  These areas often reach temperatures of 130 degrees with less than 15% moisture.


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Bed Bug
Cimex lecturalius L.


Physical Features
Bed Bugs are oval, flattened shaped ranging from a light brown to rust-red color.  They are white when first hatched.  They are wingless, have six legs and antennae. They grow to a length of 1/5 inch and 1/8 inch wide.
Life Cycle
Gradual metamorphosis
Bed bugs attach eggs to surfaces using an adhesive secretion.  The eggs are white, elongated, and about 1/25 inch long.  The bed bug will hatch and feed instantly on a host for a blood meal.  A blood meal is required during the 5 instars (molt stages) until mature.  At maturity, 5 weeks to 4 months after hatching depending on environmental conditions, the male and female will mate through a process called traumatic insemination.  The male penetrates the female abdomen to successfully fertilize eggs.  The female generally requires a blood meal prior to laying eggs.  A minimum of 1-5 eggs are released each day for the rest of her lifetime which is typically 1 year.
Habits
•Diet: Blood of warm-blood animals including humans. They inject an anticoagulant into the area they puncture for a feeding to help the blood flow, and they release anesthetic to reduce the host’s ability to detect they are being bitten.
•Activity: Mainly at night
•Preferred Climate: Temperatures ranging 70 to 80 degrees
•Defense: Hiding in cracks and crevices
•Cautions: Nuisance and easily transported to new locations for potential infestations.
•Home Invasion: Typically brought into the home by a guest or property owner on clothing or in suitcases.
Helpful Hints for Control
•Wash clothing in hot water when returning from trips immediately. Do not bring suitcase or clothing into home prior to wash.
•Keep suitcase off floor and sealed when traveling. If not possible to do that, steam clean suitcase at a temperature greater than 120 degrees.
•Check bed sheets for blood spots.
•Do not bring furniture or mattresses into your home if found on a curb or near a trash collection point.
•Contact Northwest Exterminating for a thorough inspection if a bed bug infestation is suspected.
Interesting Fact
The young bed bug feeds for about 3 minutes with adults feeding 10-15 minutes to become engorged.  Females will intake more blood than males.


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Oriental Cockroach
Blatta orientalis


Physical Features
Oriental cockroaches are 1 to 1 1/4 inches long, shiny brown to black color. Females have small, functionless wing pads. Males have wings that cover 3/4 of their abdomen, but they are also unable to fly. Young look similar to adult forms.
Life Cycle
Gradual metamorphosis
Females produce eggs carried in an egg case that is attached to their abdomen. After two days of carrying the case, the female will leave it in a hidden area near a food source. The cases (oothecae) are 3/8 inch long, hold about 16 eggs and are brown. Young cockroaches hatch from the case in 6-8 weeks and will be mature in 6-12 months. The young have the same habits as the adult forms. Adults live up to 1 year during which females produce 150 young.
Habits
• Diet: Plants and animals, decaying organic matter, water, prefer starch
• Activity: Nocturnal
• Preferred Climate: Cool, moist areas
• Defense: Speed
• Cautions: Secrete an odorous fluid, spread disease
• Home Invasion: Mainly found outdoors, but enter homes through sewer lines, air ducts, and other openings. Often called “waterbugs.”
Helpful Hints for Control
• Eliminate excessive moisture in or near the home.
• Thorough sanitation practices.
• Recommend regular pest control service plan.
Interesting Fact
Fossil evidence shows that cockroaches have been on earth for over 300 million years.


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German Cockroach
Blatta germanics


Physical Features
Adult males and females are 1/2 to 5/8 inch long, light brown with two parallel, dark brown stripes on the shield behind the head. German cockroaches have a flattened, oval shape, six spiny legs and long antennae. Immatures/Nymphs are wingless, black and have a single light stripe on its back. Females’ wings are same length as the body with a broader abdomen than the males. Darker in color than males. Females produce egg cases (oothecae) that extend from their abdomen before they are dropped. Males’ wings do not cover the tip of the boat-shaped abdomen. They are lighter brown compared to females.
Life Cycle
Gradual metamorphosis
Egg cases (oothecae) are attached to female abdomens for 28 to 30 days. The ootheca case is 1/4 to 3/8 inch long and holds 30 to 40 eggs. The female will deposit the egg case one to two days prior to the eggs hatching. Immature forms (nymphs) emerge and develop into adult forms in 1-1/2 to 4 months. Nymphs will molt approximately seven times in 60 days before becoming an adult. Females produce 4-5 oothecae during their lifetime of approximately 200 days. German cockroaches carry more eggs per case than other cockroach species. Their immatures complete growth in a shorter period of time, which makes it possible to have three to four generations per year.
Habits
• Diet: Anything including meats and grease, starches, sweets, leather, wallpaper paste, book binding and sizing.
• Activity: Nocturnal
• Preferred Climate: Humid/Warm
• Defense: Speed and ability to hide in tight spaces
• Cautions: Cockroaches have been linked to human illnesses including allergies, food poisoning, dysentery, diarrhea, and childhood asthma. Fecal smears leave pheromone attracting others to food sources. Venture no more than 5 feet from their harbor site.
• Home Invasion: Primarily found indoors in kitchens and bathrooms especially near appliances, water sources and any type of food. Will go outside during warm seasons. Spotting fecal pellets or fecal smears, egg cases, caste skins or smelling an identifiable odor can be a sign of cockroach infestations.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Regular sanitation practices.
• Eliminate water sources.
• Recommend regular pest control service plan.
Interesting Fact
German cockroaches are the cockroaches most often found in homes.


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Brown-Banded Cockroach
Supella longipalpa


Physical Features
Less than 1/2 inch long, brown with dark brown on top of wings. Females are shorter and broader than males. Adult males fly if disturbed. Both adults and immatures can be distinguished by a broad brown band across the midsections of its body at the base of the wings and abdomen.
Life Cycle
Gradual metamorphosis
Females produce eggs that they carry in an egg case that is attached to their abdomen. After 30 hours of carrying the case, the female will attach it in a hidden area. The cases (oothecae) hold about 13 eggs. Young cockroaches hatch from the case in 37-103 days and will be mature in 8-31 weeks. The young have the same h
Habits
• Diet: Any food items and non-food items with glue like envelopes, book binding, drapes, etc.
• Activity: Nocturnal
• Preferred Climate: Warm, dry areas
• Defense: Speed and ability to hide in tight spaces
• Cautions: Secrete an odorous fluid, spread disease, can cause damage as a result of their feeding habits
• Home Invasion: Often found indoors hiding in dry areas behind frames, inside pantries, closets, and furniture. Often near the ceiling.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Thorough sanitation practices.
• Recommend regular pest control service plan.
Interesting Fact
About 3,500 cockroach species exist in the world. 55 species are found in the United States.


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American Cockroach
Periplaneta Americana


Physical Features
Adult males and females are 1 to 2 inches long, reddish-brown to dark brown except for a light yellow band around the shield behind the head. American cockroaches have a flattened, oval shape, six spiny legs and long antennae. Immatures/Nymphs are shorter than adults with undeveloped wings, but otherwise similar to adult forms. Females’ wings are same length as the body with a broader abdomen than the males. Females produce egg cases (oothecae) that extend from their abdomen before they are dropped. Males’ wings extend past the length of their abdomen. They have cerci extending from their abdomen, which are short antennae serving as back up feelers.
Life Cycle
Gradual metamorphosis
Reproduce at a slower rate in comparison to other cockroach species. Females deposit egg cases (oothecae) in hidden areas or will glue them to the side of a structure. Up to 16 immature cockroaches (nymphs) will emerge from the case in 5 to 7 weeks. Nymphs will molt 10 or more times in a year before becoming an adult. Adult cockroaches can live up to one year producing an average of 150 young during that time.
Habits
• Diet: Anything including meats and grease, starches, sweets, leather, wallpaper paste, book bindings and sizing.
• Activity: Nocturnal
• Preferred Climate: Warm and humid environments
• Defense: Speed
• Cautions: Cockroaches have been linked to human illnesses like allergies, food poisoning, dysentery, diarrhea, and childhood asthma.
• Home Invasion: These cockroaches are often known as sewer roaches and are primarily found outdoors. They occasionally enter homes. Spotting fecal pellets, egg cases, caste skins or smelling an identifiable odor can be a sign of cockroach infestations. Validating suspicions an infestation exists can be achieved by examining area with a flashlight at night.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Regular sanitation practices.
• Eliminate water sources.
• Recommend regular pest control service plan.
Interesting Fact
American cockroaches are the largest house infesting roach.


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Western Subterranean Termite
Heterotermes aurerus


Physical Features
Subterranean termites have 6 legs, 3 body parts with a broad waist, segmented antennae and an exoskeleton. Protozoa in their digestive tract are responsible for converting wood products to usable nutrients. Caste features differ: Swarmers/Alates-3/8” long with wings, yellow-brown, two sets of equal sized wings are transparent with hardened veins; Workers-Hardened strong mouthparts for chewing which causes structural damage; Soldiers -Rectangular heads are longer than wide and are used for I.D. purposes, two long mandibles extend from their head for defense and grooming, and a pore on top of head expels a milky substance for defense; Secondary Reproductives-Larger and darker than workers, sometimes have wing pads; Queen-Largest member of the colony, abdomen and ovaries grow allowing for increase egg production, and are capable of producing 20,000-80,000 eggs per year.
Life Cycle
Gradual metamorphosis
Termites are social insects living in colonies with a caste system including reproductives, workers and soldiers. Termites exchange pheromones to aid in colony communication and determining caste upon need. Completion of caste roles are essential to the survival of a colony. Winged forms leave an existing colony in a large mass. 3% survive and submerge back into the soil to begin developing a new colony. The queen deposits and cares for eggs. As colonies become established, workers forage for food and bring back and feed colony members through trophallaxis. Soldiers guard opening in the gallery, and protect colony members from predators like ants. Secondary Reproductives help to care for eggs and egg production when colony mature. Workers make up most of the colony population but have the shortest span of up to 5 years. Queens have the longest life span living up to 25 years. Soldiers make up 2-5% of the colony population.
Habits
• Diet: Wood, especially cellulose portion
• Activity: Constantly active
• Preferred Climate: Temperate climates
• Defense: Soldiers defend, pheromone communication
• Cautions: Can cause costly destruction to structures
• Home Invasion: May see mud tunnels or tubes coming from the soil or inside structures going along walls or from the ceiling.  May also see clusters of wings lying on the ground indicating alates have recently submerged beneath the surface to begin a colony. 
Helpful Hints for Control
• Eliminate moisture sources near the structure and check for leaky pipes regularly.
• Keep untreated wood away from contacting structures.
• Recommend regular pest control service plan.
Interesting Fact
Termites cause $4 billion in damage per year.


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Drywood Termite
Marginitermes hubbardi (Desert Drywood Termites)
Incisitermes minor (Western Drywood Termites)


Physical Features
Drywood termites are a social insect having caste members including reproductives, soldiers and nymphs. Each caste has different physical features. Reproductive alates are 1/2 inch long, dark brown to yellow, and have smoky gray wings. Soldiers are brownish, 1/2 inch long, have large developed heads and strong mandibles. Nymphs are white to grayish and 1/2 inch long.
Life Cycle
Incomplete metamorphosis
Winged females and males (alates) emerge from wood initiating the reproductive process through swarming. Female and male reproductives will lose their wings, pair up, and find a crevice in wood to mate. The queen lays and cares for the eggs during the two-week period it takes for them to hatch. Nymphs emerge and take on the role of a worker. They forage for food and feed the colony. Nymphs will molt and eventually develop into either a soldier or reproductive caste depending on the need of the colony. It takes up to 2 years to molt 5 times. Soldiers use their large mandibles to help protect the colony. Reproductives help the queen care and reproduce eggs. The growth of drywood colonies is slower than subterranean termite colonies.
Habits
• Diet: Wood. Nymphs eat with and across the grain of wood leaving a smooth gallery.
• Activity: Continually active. Swarm usually late summer or early fall in Arizona.
• Preferred Climate: 80-90 degrees and relative humidity
• Defense: Soldiers protect the colony from invaders with their mandibles.
• Cautions: Damage to structures can be extremely costly and should be treated immediately.
• Sign of Infestation: Fecal pellets and wood shavings. Small openings found in a structure or furniture above debris.  Mass wings on a surface.
• Home Invasion: Enter homes through cracks and crevices, window openings during the swarming process, or furniture brought into the home is already infested. Multiple infestations can occur within one structure.
Helpful Hints for Control
Recommend inspection of home to determine service plan.
Interesting Fact
Drywood termites infest dry, sound wood with as little as 3 percent moisture content.


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Wolf Spider
Lycosa helluo


Physical Features
Wolf spiders are commonly mistaken for brown recluse spiders, but the violin shaped marking is absent on the wolf spider’s head. Like all spiders they have 8 legs and two body parts.  Wolf spiders also are 1 1/2 to 2 inches in length, hairy, brown to gray in color with markings and lines, and have fang-like mouthparts called chelicerae. They have 4 equal sized eyes on the bottom row, and 2 enlarged eyes on the top row.
Life Cycle
Gradual metamorphosis
Wolf spiders develop from an egg, spiderlings, subadult, to an adult. Females lay dozens of eggs that they wrap in a webbed ball/sac and carry with them. Spiderlings climb on the mother’s back after hatching and are carried for several weeks. Young leave mother when they are large enough to hunt. They molt several times until mature. Wolf spiders live several years and are active hunters.
Habits
• Diet: Actively hunt insects and spiders.
• Activity: Nocturnal
• Preferred Climate: Temperate climate
• Defense: Speed, fast moving spiders.
• Cautions: Can bite if disturbed, but not considered dangerous.
• Home Invasion: Primarily occupy the outdoors, but will occasionally roam indoors in search of food or to stay warm during winter. Will be found around doors, windows, houseplants, basements, garages, etc. They will be close to the ground since they are not good climbers.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Remove debris around the home that spiders may inhabit.
• Recommend regular pest control service plan.
Interesting Fact
Wolf spiders are numerous active hunters that are extremely important to the ecosystem.


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Tarantula
Aphonopelma chalcodes (most common Arizona species)


Physical Features
Tarantulas are hairy spiders with 8 legs, 2 body parts, and 8 eyes set close together. They have 2 large fangs under their abdomen. They are reddish-brown, dark brown or black in color. They are 1 to 5 inches in length, have a bald spot on abdomen, and urticating hairs. These hairs are rubbed on to predators for defense, which causes itching and rashes on their victims.
Life Cycle
Gradual metamorphosis
Males become sexually mature after several years. They are attracted to females by a scent she leaves on the web surrounding her burrow. Males will perform a courtship dance to attract the female, mating will occur, then the males die a few months later. Females lay eggs in a cocoon within her burrow and she guards the cocoon for 6-9 weeks until 500-1,000 spiderlings hatch. 2-3 weeks later young will leave the burrow. Female stores sperm and will continue fertilization the remainder of her 25 year life span.
Habits
• Diet: Feed on insects, small spiders and small lizards by secreting juices with their fangs.
• Activity: Nocturnal
• Preferred Climate: Dry, Arid Enviroment
• Defense: Make a hissing sound by rubbing their jaws, front legs or palps against each other. Urticating hairs. Faint webbing around perimeter of burrow.
• Cautions: Tarantulas are not a threat to humans, tarantulas rarely bite or kick off hairs in defense. Clean bites with soap and water, and remove hairs with tape.
• Home Invasion: Burrows may be spotted when walking around the perimeter of a home. Tarantulas may occasionally enter a structure in search of food, but can be removed and relocated.
Helpful Hints for Control
Recommend regular pest control service plan.
Interesting Fact
There are over 800 species of tarantulas worldwide including the largest spider known: the South American Goliath Bird Eating Spider reaches a body length with legs of up to 12 inches.


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Black Widow Spider
Lactrodectus mactans


Physical Features
Black widows have eight legs and two body parts like all spiders. They have specific markings used for identification, but these markings vary and can make identifying difficult. Females are 1/2 inch long, shiny black with a red hourglass shaped marking on a round abdomen. Males are black with red spots and white lines going out to the side. They are half the size of the female. Spiderlings are orange and white in color turning blacker with each molt.
Life Cycle
Gradual metamorphosis
The mating process begins in the spring or summer. The female can devour males after they mate, but this is not as common as the spider’s name suggests. Males often stick around the web after mating to feed on prey caught in the female’s web. Female lays 25 to 250 eggs in a white, silken case suspended from the web. Spiderlings hatch inside case, but don’t emerge until after their first molt around 4 weeks later. Female guards the egg case until spiderlings come out. Spiderlings leave the web through a process called ballooning. They release a tiny thread caught by air currents. It takes 2-4 months until mature. Females live 1-3 years. Males live 1 year.
Habits
• Diet: Insects\
• Activity: Nocturnal
• Preferred Climate: Temperate climate
• Defense: Web. Females bite if disturbed. Males do not bite. They bite their prey releasing a neurotoxin, paralyzing their prey so they can suck their prey’s fluids.
• Cautions: Black widow bites are painful resulting in localized pain, severe cramping, nausea, sweating, fever, etc. A physician should be consulted if bitten since reactions vary due to person and amount of venom introduced.
• Home Invasion: Black widows enter a home in search of shelter. They live in solitary. Normally found in sheds and garages or other areas that are darker and less trafficked.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Remove debris around the home that black widows may inhabit.
• Wear gloves when working in areas that black widows may be residing.
• Recommend regular pest control service plan.
Interesting Fact
Contrary to popular belief, the female black widow does not always kill her partner after mating.



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Arizona Brown Spider
Loxosceles arizonica


Physical Features
Arizona Brown Spider is a species of brown recluse spiders found in Arizona. It has two body parts and eight legs, a distinct violin shaped marking on top of head, 3 sets of eyes, 1/4 to 1/2 inches long with long thin legs, and yellowish to light brown color.
Life Cycle
Gradual metamorphosis
Arizona Brown Spiders develop from an egg, spiderlings, subadult to an adult. The process begins after mating which occurs during February to October. 40-50 eggs are deposited in silken egg cases. Females produce 1-5 egg cases during their lifetime. Spiderlings mature in about one year after completing a series of molts. Live an average of 2 – 4 years.
Habits
• Diet: Small insects caught in webs or hunted.  Can survive 6-12 months without food.
• Activity: Hunt at night
• Preferred Climate: Temperate climate
• Defense: Toxic bite and violin marking on head which scares its predators.
• Cautions: Bite may cause necrosis if enough venom is injected. Consult a physician if bitten by a recluse.
• Home Invasion: Primarily found outdoors, an Arizona Brown Spider may be seen hiding in cracks or crevices during the day and actively about at night.  It is possible to find their shed skins on surfaces.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Removal of trash or debris (woodpiles, boxes, tires, etc.) stored around the home.
• Seal openings in the home that could be entry points.
• Recommend regular pest control service plan.
Interesting Fact
It is thought that the number of necrotic wounds attributed to brown recluse bites is highly misdiagnosed.


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Webbing Clothes Moth
Tineola bisselliella


Physical Features
Adults are golden colored with reddish hairs on the head. They have slightly pointed wings with a span of 3/4 inch, and a body 1/4 inch long. Larvae are white with a dark head.
Life Cycle
Complete metamorphosis
40-50 ivory eggs are laid on fabrics over a two-week period. The female dies after egg depositing is complete, but males continue to live. The eggs hatch in 4-21 days. Larvae molt 5 to 45 times depending on food resources available. They spin silk tunnels. They will pupate in crevices. The life cycle is complete in 65 to 90 days.
Habits
• Diet: Feed on soiled materials.
• Activity: In dark areas.
• Preferred Climate: Warmer climates
• Defense: Small size makes it easy to evade harm.
• Cautions: Destroy fabrics
• Home Invasion: Usually found close to infested areas like closets. Do not like lights and will hide when disturbed.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Clean under furniture, baseboards, cabinets and closets.
• Store fabrics that have been cleaned and are in a sealed container.
• Recommend regular pest control service plan.
Interesting Fact
The excrement of clothes moth will be the color of the fabric they are eating.


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Pill Bug or Sow Bug
Pill Bug or Sow Bug Armadillidiidium vulgare


Physical Features
They have a hard exoskeleton, three basic body parts, and are dark gray to white. They have seven pairs of legs and two pairs of antennae. They have appendages at the end of their abdomen called uropods. Females have growths at base of some legs to hold eggs while they are developing. Breathe through gills since they are isopods.
Life Cycle
Complete metamorphosis
The female holds up to 100 eggs in pouches at the base of her legs. Immatures will stay in pouch after hatching for a few days. They look similar to adult forms. They will molt 4-5 times before becoming sexually mature.
Habits
Diet: Dead or decaying animals, sometimes plants.
Activity: Some species are nocturnal.
Preferred Climate: Humid
Defense: Roll up when disturbed.
Cautions: Not a threat
Home Invasion: Primarily live outdoors. Will come indoors if moisture and food available.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Eliminate moisture near or in home.
• Recommend regular pest control service plan.
Interesting Fact
Molting occurs in two stages. The first half sheds then the second half sheds, therefore, the pill bug can be two different colors when this is happening.


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Field Cricket
Gryllus assimili


Physical Features
1/2 to 1 1/4 inch long, usually black in color and a thicker body. The hind legs are longer than the front. Males have a sharp ridge on one wing called a scraper, and wrinkles on the other called a file. He rubs these together to make the chirping sound used for mating and to communicate danger. Openings on the front legs serve as ears as crickets sense vibrations.
Life Cycle
Gradual metamorphosis
Crickets have a lifespan of one year. They lay eggs in late fall after mating. The female places eggs in soil or cracks and crevices using a tube called an ovipositor. The eggs hatch in the spring when young emerge. The young look similar to adult forms and are capable of walking, running and jumping. The young go through a series of molts before becoming adults. Females go through 9 molts and males through 10. This process takes 65-102 days.
Habits
• Diet: Omnivores eating plants as well as insects.
• Activity: Nocturnal. More active in warm temperatures
• Preferred Climate: Temperate climates
• Defense: Warning chirps.
• Cautions: Can be destructive to crops, clothing and other textiles. Chirping sound can be a nuisance.
• Home Invasion: Occasionally invade homes especially in the fall when the home provides a warmer environment. Will hide in cracks and crevices until nighttime.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Reduce night lighting or use yellow lights.
• Recommend regular pest control service plan.
Interesting Fact
In the Orient, the sound of a singing cricket inside a home is considered a thing of beauty.


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Earwigs
Forficula auriculaira (European-most common in US)


Physical Features
Earwigs are typical insects with three body parts, six legs and antennae. They can be winged or wingless and are 1/4 to 1/2 inch long. Their narrow, elongated bodies are brown to reddish brown. Some species squirt an odorous liquid for defense, which can be smelled if squished by humans. Cerci extending from the abdomen are forcep-like. This feature often intimidates people fearing they will be pinched, but in reality the pinchers are unable to penetrate skin. The pinchers are larger and more curved in the males, they are used for a defensive and offensive weapon, and can be used to capture prey.
Life Cycle
Gradual metamorphosis
This process from egg to adult begins when females lay 20 to 60 eggs in burrows. The time taken for eggs to hatch depends on environmental conditions, but typically is between 20 to 70 days hatching when temperatures are cooler. The female exhibits maternal characteristics until immature forms (nymphs) leave the burrow after one season. Females “lick” individual eggs possibly to prevent fungi growth, guard eggs and nymphs, and feed nymphs until first molt.
Habits
• Diet: Plants, earthworms or other insects
• Activity: Nocturnal
• Preferred Climate: Cooler temperatures
• Defense: Pinchers, live in clusters and communicate through pheromone exchange.
• Cautions: Harmless
• Home Invasion: They typically live outdoors but occasionally will enter structures if environmental conditions are not adequate or food sources limited. 
Helpful Hints for Control
• Reduce lighting around doors or use yellow lights.
• Recommend regular pest control service plan.;
Interesting Fact
Named after an old, widespread superstition that they would crawl into people’s ears when they were sleeping and bore into their brain.


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Carpet Beetle
Attagenus spp.
Anthrenus spp.


Physical Features
Small, oval insects normally less than 1/8 to 1/4 inch long. The larvae are usually half the size of the adult and are covered with bristles. Some species are a solid black while others can be mottled in color. Some possess scales on their bodies.
Life Cycle
Complete metamorphosis
Females lay 30 to100 eggs in secluded, dark areas near food sources. Eggs hatch in 1-3 weeks. Larvae molt 5-12 times over a 3-36 month period. Pupa stage lasts 6 to 24 days. The adult takes up to 3 weeks to emerge.
Habits
• Diet: Animal based materials like wool, insects in stored products, seeds. Adults feed on pollen.
• Activity: Dark Areas
• Preferred Climate: Temperate climates
• Defense: Small unnoticeable size
• Cautions: Larval stage causes damage to fabrics and stored food sources/products.
• Home Invasion: Mainly found indoors hidden in carpet fibers, stored products, by baseboards or windows. Small irregular holes will be a sign of feeding.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Vacuum regularly
• Clean fabrics and use moth crystals or balls when storing.
• Store fabrics and food in tightly sealed containers.
• Discard all infested material.
• Recommend regular pest control service plan.
Interesting Fact
Larvae can grow backwards, if deprived of food. This process is called retrogressive molting.


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Mosquitoes
Aedes aegypti
Anopheles quadrimaculatus (common malaria mosquito)


Physical Features
Mosquitoes, like all insects, have three body parts, six legs and antennae. They have a pointed abdominal tip and clear wings with dark scales. Aedes females are typically dark with white markings and banded legs. The piercing-sucking mouthparts (proboscis) are shorter than the palp, feelers. The proboscis and body move in two axes. Anopheles mosquitoes lack scales on their bodies having hairs instead. Males have bushy antennae compared to females. The piercing-sucking mouthparts (proboscis) and palp (feelers) are equal length, and the proboscis and body move in one axis.
Life Cycle
Complete metamorphosis
Eggs are laid on the surface of water and hatch in 1 to 3 days. In temporary water environments, the Aedes female may lay eggs well in advance of the water’s presence, and the eggs hatch once water occupies the cavity. Anopheles will lay eggs in larger bodies of water surrounded by vegetation, and their eggs will have floats on either side of it. Larvae are aquatic, filter feeders and develop in 7 to 10 days. Pupae float on the water’s surface like a raft for 1 to 3 days then an adult emerges completing development from egg to adult in 10 to 16 days. This process begins to repeat within 28 hours after the adult emerges, but females will not lay eggs without taking a blood meal. Males need nectar and plant juices. The adult lives less than one month. Fertilized females will overwinter, emerging on warm days to feed, and lay eggs in the spring.
Habits
• Diet: Nectar, plant juices, blood
• Activity: Aedes - near breeding sites. Anopheles - 2 miles from breeding site. Most species fly higher than 5 feet.
• Preferred Climate: Humid, temperate climate.
• Defense: Release an anti-coagulant into wounds preventing blood from clotting so they can suck their food more easily.
• Cautions: Principal vectors of Yellow Fever, Dengue, West Nile Virus and Encephalitis. Any body of water regardless of size is a potential site for egg to pupa development. Females will bite.
• Home Invasion: Mosquitoes may come through openings in home to find breeding site or
  food. Encounters will most likely be in yards.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Reduce the amount of standing water
• Clear away any items that are potential water carriers.
• Recommend regular pest control service plan.
Interesting Fact
The construction of the Panama Canal was delayed not only by financial setbacks, but by diseases, Yellow Fever and Malaria, spread by mosquitoes to canal workers. Fumigation was a treatment method used.


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Conenose or Kissing Bug
Triatoma rubida


Physical Features
The adult conenose bug is 3/4 to 1 inch long and dark gray to black in color. Wings overlap on the top of the abdomen forming a distinct letter “X”. Abdomen is wide and flattened. Head is cone-shaped with a short, curved mouthpart. 3-segmented proboscis (beak) extends backward below the body.
Life Cycle
Gradual metamorphosis
Eggs are laid in summer and take 3-5 weeks to hatch. Nymphs go through 5 stages requiring a blood meal and molting before entering the next stage. The nymph stage lasts through winter before entering the adult stage in the spring. Adults are capable of flying since wings are developed. Feeding takes 20-30 minutes and 1 week to digest. 
Habits
• Diet: Blood feeders
• Activity: Feed at night and rest during the day, fly long distances to feed
• Preferred Climate: Temperate
• Defense: Large insect that can be intimidating.
• Cautions: Congregate around light sources. Humans sometimes have allergic responses. Spread Chagas disease through pathogen found in their feces. Brought into contact by rubbing affected area, eyes or mouth.
• Home Invasion: Occasionally enter homes. It is possible to wake up with mosquito like bites and to find an engorged bug in the bed.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Eliminate or minimize light sources around home
• Remove rodent nests around home. In Arizona they often inhabit packrat nests.
• Recommend regular pest control service plan.
Interesting Fact
Called Kissing Bug after the South American species that prefers to bite sleeping victims on the face about the lips. 


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Cat Flea
Ctenocehalides felis


Physical Features
Cat fleas have three body parts like all insects: head, thorax, and abdomen. A unique feature, however, is their vertical flatness. Eggs are smooth, pearly white, oval shaped with round edges. Found on floor of any area the pet resides. Larva are slender, white, have sparse hairs, 1/10 inch long and are blind. Pupa have loosely spun cocoon about 1/5 inch long. Adults are1/6 to 1/8 inch long, dark reddish brown, wingless. They are covered with spines that point backward. Three pairs of legs with exceptionally powerful hind legs capable of jumping far distance. Piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Life Cycle
Complete metamorphosis
The time to complete this process ranges from two weeks to eight months depending on environmental conditions. Eggs are laid on host, falling off in areas host frequents. Females lay up to 600 eggs in her lifetime. Larva feed on adult feces, dead skin and other organic debris. They take a week to several months to develop. Pupae form a cocoon made from hair, grass, etc. , and emerge after 5 to 14 days.  Adults need a blood meal within one week after emerging from cocoon and before they lay eggs. Can live up to one year without feeding at any other time.
Habits
• Diet: Blood, feces, dead skin
• Activity: Before laying eggs and immediately after emerging from pupa
• Preferred Climate: Temperatures between 55 and 90 degrees
• Defense: Spines on back. Bite.
• Cautions: Irritate pets. Bite Humans usually on legs and ankles.
• Home Invasion: Areas commonly infested are the pet's sleeping area or frequented areas, as well as, paths they travel.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Regular pet grooming, wash/removal of pet bedding.
• Keeping lawns maintained.
• Frequent vacuuming
• Recommend regular pest control service plan.
Interesting Fact
One female flea can multiply to over 25.000 fleas in 30 days under optimal environmental conditions.


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Brown Dog Tick
Rhipicephalus sanguineus


Physical Features
Brown Dog Ticks are arachnids so they have eight legs and two body parts. Their elongated bodies are red-brown in color and 1/8 inch long. Engorged females grow to 1/2 inch long and 1/4 inch wide and turn gray-blue to olive colored. Larval ticks only have six legs. Ticks have a hexagonal shaped connection (capituli) at the head and body joint. They also have two mouthparts: backward shaped teeth to open skin and make holes, and piercing sucking mouthparts to draw blood.
Life Cycle
Gradual metamorphosis 
Develop from egg, larva, nymph to an adult. Adult females will lay 1,000 to 3,000 eggs after engorging on dog’s blood. Eggs hatch in 19-60 days and can be found in the house around baseboards, window and door casings, curtains, furniture and edges of rugs. The larva hatch and have six legs. They will attach to dog for 3-6 days, turns bluish in color, and drop back to floor. 6-23 days later it will molt into the nymph form, which is eight legged, reddish-brown, and also attaches to dog host to feed. It molts into adult form within 12-19 days. Adult seeks blood meal then crawls upwards to cracks and crevices in ceilings or wall hangings to lay eggs. The female dies shortly after depositing eggs. Unengorged adults can live up to 200 days without a blood meal. These adults will hide in cracks and crevices until they feed.
Habits
• Diet: Blood
• Activity: When ready to feed or lay eggs.
• Preferred Climate: Warmer climate.
• Defense: Small unnoticeable size
• Cautions: Will attach to other available animals including humans, they are most attracted to dogs. Pet may act irritable. Carry diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, and tick paralysis.
• Home Invasion: Pets will carry in ticks from outdoors. The ticks will hide in cracks and crevices until they feed.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Keep dogs off natural paths and other landscape transition zones where ticks may be found.
• Treating the pet completed by the pet owner or a veterinarian.
• Cleaning areas that pet frequents.
• Recommend regular pest control service plan.
Interesting Fact
Remove a tick from the point of entry (where the mouthparts attach to the skin) by firmly and steadily pulling directly outward without twisting. Put removed tick in alcohol to kill it. Clean the bite with disinfectant.


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Desert Hairy Scorpion
Hadrurus arizonensis (Desert Hairy)
Centruroides excilicauda (Bark)
Vaejouis spinigerus (Striped-Tailed)


Physical Features
Scorpions have two body parts, eight legs, a set of large pincers, fang-like appendages near the mouth, and a segmented tail. The last bulbous section (telson) of the tail houses the venom glands. Pincers aid in catching prey as the telson injects the venom. The body has a hard, protective covering called an exoskeleton. Scorpions have multiple sets of eyes, but have poor sight, therefore, they depend on a comb-like organ at the base of the last pair of legs to act like a feeler. The three main scorpions found in Arizona are the Desert Hairy, Bark and Striped-Tailed scorpions.
Desert Hairy
• Up to six inches in length
• Pale yellow to brown color
• Intimidating size
Bark Scorpion
• Less than one inch in length
• Light yellow color
• Most venomous
Striped-Tailed
• 2 1/4 inches long
• Yellow to tan color
• Dark triangle mark between the eyes
Life Cycle
Gradual metamorphosis
Male and female scorpions begin the mating process by holding each other’s pincers (pedipalps). The male leads the female to an appropriate mating sight where he deposits his sperm onto the ground so that she can draw the sperm into her genital pore. 5 months to 1 year later, the female will catch her live young, and they will crawl onto her back remaining there until after their first molt reveals a hardened exoskeleton. The average life span is 2 years.
Habits
• Diet: Any invertebrate including many insects, worms, and baby lizards.
• Activity: Nocturnal
• Preferred Climate: Temperatures above 60 degrees
• Defense: Pincers and venom injected.
• Cautions: Scorpions will sting when touched, mishandled or if they become trapped against skin after crawling into shoes, clothing or bedding. All scorpion species in the US are venomous but do not pose a large health risk unless the victim has an allergic reaction or is a small child or elderly, therefore, it is recommended that a physician always be notified if a person is stung.
• Home Invasion: Scorpions may find their way into a home, hiding under rocks, woodpiles, crevices or anyplace providing shade and seclusion.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Remove debris in and around the home. Keep trash cans elevated.
• Keep landscape well-maintained.
• Never bring firewood inside the house unless it is placed directly on the fire.
• Keep window screens in good repair and check they fit tightly in frame.
• Recommend regular pest control service plan.
Interesting Fact
The scorpion’s chitinous exoskelton glows under ultraviolet or “black” lights.


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Bark Scorpion
Hadrurus arizonensis (Desert Hairy)
Centruroides excilicauda (Bark)
Vaejouis spinigerus (Striped-Tailed)


Physical Features
Scorpions have two body parts, eight legs, a set of large pincers, fang-like appendages near the mouth, and a segmented tail. The last bulbous section (telson) of the tail houses the venom glands. Pincers aid in catching prey as the telson injects the venom. The body has a hard, protective covering called an exoskeleton. Scorpions have multiple sets of eyes, but have poor sight, therefore, they depend on a comb-like organ at the base of the last pair of legs to act like a feeler. The three main scorpions found in Arizona are the Desert Hairy, Bark and Striped-Tailed scorpions.
Desert Hairy
• Up to six inches in length
• Pale yellow to brown color
• Intimidating size
Bark Scorpion
• Less than one inch in length
• Light yellow color
• Most venomous
Striped-Tailed
• 2 1/4 inches long
• Yellow to tan color
• Dark triangle mark between the eyes
Life Cycle
Gradual metamorphosis
Male and female scorpions begin the mating process by holding each other’s pincers (pedipalps). The male leads the female to an appropriate mating sight where he deposits his sperm onto the ground so that she can draw the sperm into her genital pore. 5 months to 1 year later, the female will catch her live young, and they will crawl onto her back remaining there until after their first molt reveals a hardened exoskeleton. The average life span is 2 years.
Habits
• Diet: Any invertebrate including many insects, worms, and baby lizards.
• Activity: Nocturnal
• Preferred Climate: Temperatures above 60 degrees
• Defense: Pincers and venom injected.
• Cautions: Scorpions will sting when touched, mishandled or if they become trapped against skin after crawling into shoes, clothing or bedding. All scorpion species in the US are venomous but do not pose a large health risk unless the victim has an allergic reaction or is a small child or elderly, therefore, it is recommended that a physician always be notified if a person is stung.
• Home Invasion: Scorpions may find their way into a home, hiding under rocks, woodpiles, crevices or anyplace providing shade and seclusion.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Remove debris in and around the home. Keep trash cans elevated.
• Keep landscape well-maintained.
• Never bring firewood inside the house unless it is placed directly on the fire.
• Keep window screens in good repair and check they fit tightly in frame.
• Recommend regular pest control service plan.
Interesting Fact
The scorpion’s chitinous exoskelton glows under ultraviolet or “black” lights.


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Striped Tail Scorpion
Hadrurus arizonensis (Desert Hairy)
Centruroides excilicauda (Bark)
Vaejouis spinigerus (Striped-Tailed)


Physical Features
Scorpions have two body parts, eight legs, a set of large pincers, fang-like appendages near the mouth, and a segmented tail. The last bulbous section (telson) of the tail houses the venom glands. Pincers aid in catching prey as the telson injects the venom. The body has a hard, protective covering called an exoskeleton. Scorpions have multiple sets of eyes, but have poor sight, therefore, they depend on a comb-like organ at the base of the last pair of legs to act like a feeler. The three main scorpions found in Arizona are the Desert Hairy, Bark and Striped-Tailed scorpions.
Desert Hairy
• Up to six inches in length
• Pale yellow to brown color
• Intimidating size
Bark Scorpion
• Less than one inch in length
• Light yellow color
• Most venomous
Striped-Tailed
• 2 1/4 inches long
• Yellow to tan color
• Dark triangle mark between the eyes
Life Cycle
Gradual metamorphosis
Male and female scorpions begin the mating process by holding each other’s pincers (pedipalps). The male leads the female to an appropriate mating sight where he deposits his sperm onto the ground so that she can draw the sperm into her genital pore. 5 months to 1 year later, the female will catch her live young, and they will crawl onto her back remaining there until after their first molt reveals a hardened exoskeleton. The average life span is 2 years.
Habits
• Diet: Any invertebrate including many insects, worms, and baby lizards.
• Activity: Nocturnal
• Preferred Climate: Temperatures above 60 degrees
• Defense: Pincers and venom injected.
• Cautions: Scorpions will sting when touched, mishandled or if they become trapped against skin after crawling into shoes, clothing or bedding. All scorpion species in the US are venomous but do not pose a large health risk unless the victim has an allergic reaction or is a small child or elderly, therefore, it is recommended that a physician always be notified if a person is stung.
• Home Invasion: Scorpions may find their way into a home, hiding under rocks, woodpiles, crevices or anyplace providing shade and seclusion.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Remove debris in and around the home. Keep trash cans elevated.
• Keep landscape well-maintained.
• Never bring firewood inside the house unless it is placed directly on the fire.
• Keep window screens in good repair and check they fit tightly in frame.
• Recommend regular pest control service plan.
Interesting Fact
The scorpion’s chitinous exoskelton glows under ultraviolet or “black” lights.


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House Fly
Musca domestica


Physical Features
Females are typically longer than males, but both sizes depend on the food available. On an average they are 1/6 inch long. Females also have a broader space between their reddish eyes. Both have sponging mouthparts. The abdomen is gray or yellowish with dark markings, with males having a yellow underside. Body covered with fine hairs.
Life Cycle
Complete metamorphosis
This is a fast life cycle normally complete within 14 days if prime environmental conditions exist. A female deposits white egg clusters numbering about 75-150 eggs over a three-day period; resulting in a total of 500 eggs. The eggs are laid in moist, organic debris including manure and contents of trashcans. The white, legless larvae (commonly referred to as maggots) feed on the debris and can reach 3/8 inch in length over a 3-7 day period. The larva moves to a cooler area to pupate constructing a case from its last molting skin. After 3-4 days, a docile adult emerges. Normal activity begins in about 15 hours.
Habits
• Diet: Moist organic debris
• Activity: Constant activity in areas with proper environmental conditions
• Preferred Climate: Warm to hot temperatures, 70 to 90 degrees
• Defense: Size, speed, and leg hairs that excrete a sticky fluid so they can stick to ceilings and other hard to reach places.
• Cautions: Equated with spreading bacterial diseases
• Home Invasion: Flies will enter homes through any crack and crevice in search of food and egg laying sites.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Thorough sanitation practices around and in the home.
• Recommend regular pest control service plan.
Interesting Fact
A fly’s wings beat 200 times per second. The wings only move if legs are free.


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Drain Fly
Psychoda alternata


Physical Features
1/5 to 1/6 inch long, tan colored body, black and white wings. Body and wings are covered with hair. The wings appear larger than their bodies and are blamed for their weak flying ability. Antennae have 13 segments with the last being a bulb-like shape.
Life Cycle
Complete metamorphosis
Eggs are laid in masses numbering 10-200 on the gel-like film that covers filters, drains, pipes or sewage disposal beds. Larvae emerges 32 to 48 hours later. They are gray, legless, 3/8 inch long, and live in the film breathing through a tube. This continues for 9 to 15 days then pupae float to the surface. Adults emerge after 20 to 40 hours. Adults live about 14 days.
Habits
• Diet: Adults feed on flower nectar and polluted water
• Activity: Most active during the evenings
• Preferred Climate: 70-90 degree temperatures
• Defense: Small size helps evade harm.
• Cautions: Do not bite humans. Nuisance and possibly spread disease.
• Home Invasion: Will be found clinging to bathroom, kitchen or basement walls. More specifically found on sides of showers and tubs or hovering over drains.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Eliminating stagnant water accumulated near or in the home.
• Thorough sanitation practices.
• Recommend regular pest control service plan.
Interesting Fact
They are possibly the most common insects living in sewage plants.


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Sonoran Bumble Bee
Bombus spp.


Physical Features
Large bees growing 3/4 to 1 1/2 inches long, yellow and black, and hairy. Their hairy legs are used to collect and carry pollen to the hive.
Life Cycle
Complete metamorphosis
The queen places pollen in the middle of the nest in which she lays her eggs, and then she seals it with a wax covering. She also makes a honeypot, a wax cup filled with nectar, which she feeds from while waiting for the larvae to emerge. The larvae feed on the pollen inside their wax covering, and then the queen continues to feed them through an opening in the wax covering. The larvae spin cocoons when they are ready, and then emerge in their adult form. At the end of summer, the queen produces unfertilized eggs that develop into drones. Females produced during this time become new queens. The drones and workers die and the new, mated queens fly to a new nest site.
Habits
• Diet: Flower nectar.
• Activity: Active in the springtime and early Fall. Travel in small colonies from a few dozen to several hundred.
• Preferred Climate: Temperate climates
• Defense: Loud buzzing sound and painful stings.
• Cautions: Painful stings
• Home Invasion: Most nest in or near the ground in previously occupied burrows or crevices, but will occupy empty cavities in home structures. This includes under decks or patios, attics, stairways or in eaves of the home. They may also take harbor in woodpiles, leaf piles, or landscaping timber.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Clear debris that could be potential harboring sites.
• If activity is found call for service.
Interesting Fact


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Paper Wasp
Polistes spp.


Physical Features
Reddish-brown to dark brown with some yellow spots, slender build with long, thin legs, with smoky colored wings, about 1-inch long.
Life Cycle
Complete metamorphosis
Workers, queens and males act to achieve colony survival. Mated females construct aerial nests in the spring. The nest has horizontal tiers of cells in an umbrella shaped paper-like nest. The most aggressive female lays an egg per cell leaving the remaining female to take over the role of worker.  The queen feeds the larvae when they hatch until they are ready to pupate. The cells are then covered with silk. More female workers emerge and spend the summer tending to the food collection, nest construction, and caring for the queen. Only mated females will live through the winter.
Habits
• Diet: Eat small insects during summer and flower nectar during the fall.
• Activity: Inactive during winter months.
• Preferred Climate: Temperate climates.
• Defense: Sting if feel threatened.
• Cautions: Will sting multiple times. Some people have allergic reactions to these stings.
• Home Invasion: Paper wasps will make nests under decks, eaves, near vents, rafters, shutters, playground equipment, and tree branches
Helpful Hints for Control
• Avoid loud noises close to nest sites.
• Do not approach nest sites.
• If wasp activity is found call for service.
Interesting Fact
Paper wasps have been attributed to causing many car accidents.  If one is in your car, slowly pull off the road, and open car doors and windows.  DO NOT PANIC!


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Mud Dauber
Sceliphron caementarium (Black and yellow) Chalybion califernicum (Blue)


Physical Features
(Black and yellow) Dull black with parts of body being bright yellow with long, thin waist, dark wings, and 1/2 to 1/8 inch long.
(Blue) Dark metallic blue to black wasp with long, thin waist, 1/2 to 1 inch long, with bluish wings.
Life Cycle
Complete metamorphosis
Females collect mud with their mandibles. They then use mud to form cylindrical shaped nests on walls or sides of equipment or use a previously constructed nest. They collect food and lay an egg on the prey within each cell and seal the cell with mud. The female then leaves the nest at the end of spring. When the new adult wasp emerges from the cell the cycle begins again.
Habits
• Diet: Insects and spiders
• Activity: More active during the day
• Preferred Climate: Temperate climates
• Defense: Sting their prey and paralyze them.
• Cautions: Not considered a threat. Rarely aggressive, but will sting if handled.
• Home Invasion: Mud daubers will make nests on structure walls, ceilings, eaves, porches, decks and especially near water sources mud can be collected for their nest construction.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Keep area around the home dry to reduce mud for nest construction.
• Nests should be removed.
• Recommend regular pest control service plan.
Interesting Fact
Mud daubers are considered beneficial since they kill spiders and pose none or little harm to humans.


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Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa spp.


Physical Features
Large bees growing 1/2 to 1 inch long and have a shiny, hairless abdomen. Females are typically black with metallic reflections and males are a tan color. They have hairs on the hind legs. Females have mandibles used to excavate wood.
Life Cycle
Complete metamorphosis
After mating in the spring, the male and female return to old tunnels or create new, perfectly round holes 1/2 inch in diameter and a minimum 1-inch deep into softwood. A mixture of pollen and nectar is then regurgitated into the chamber and the egg is laid. Six to eight chambers are constructed and sealed off so that the egg can hatch, the larva can feed on the mixture and then pupate emerging in August in its adult form. Carpenter bees feed than return to their tunnels for the winter.
Habits
• Diet: Flower nectar. Do not eat the wood.
• Activity: Active in the springtime and early Fall. Travel in small colonies.
• Preferred Climate: Cooler temperatures
• Defense: Females will sting if provoked. Males do not sting but will dart towards humans to cause panic.
• Cautions: Initial damage caused is minimal, but subsequent broods will return and bore deeper into wood. The shavings falling below can result in stains.
• Home Invasion: Will bore holes in unprotected wood at least two inches thick.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Paint all exposed wood surfaces.
• Keep garages and other buildings closed during the bee’s active times.
• If activity is found call for service.
Interesting Fact
Adult carpenter bees die a few weeks after laying eggs.


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Africanized Honey Bee
Apis mellifera scutellata


Physical Features
The worker bee is responsible for protecting the hive, which will result in stinging if they feel the colony is being threatened. When they sting, the stinger, venom sac, muscle and other parts of their anatomy will separate from their body which results in their death. They are 3/4 inch long, brownish color and slightly fuzzy. Usually found in a large cluster either as a swarm or part of an established hive.
Life Cycle
Complete metamorphosis
Develop from an egg, larva, pupa to an adult. They are social insects that develop into a caste member. Workers develop in 21 days, live for 50 days, and are the majority of the colony population. They are responsible for hive construction, food foraging, honey production, feeding young and protecting the hive. Drones develop in 24 days and live for 5-10 weeks. They reproduce with a queen. Queen develops in 16 days and lives up to 3 years. There is one living queen per colony responsible for egg production.
Habits
• Diet: Nectar and pollen
• Activity: Work longer hours than other bees from dusk to late into the evening.
• Preferred Climate: Temperate climates
• Defense: Erratic flight, loud buzzing sound, sting in large quantities.
• Cautions: Bees will attack people approaching their nest within 10-50 feet. Leave the area and contact professionals to come and assess the area and remove bees. Listen for buzzing and look for bees when entering or leaving an area.
• Home Invasion: Africanized Honey Bees prefer to nest in cavities close to the ground or even underground. Once they start a nest, the population can quickly grow from 5,000 to 40,000 if left unchecked. 
Helpful Hints for Control
• Remove any potential nesting sites near your home: empty boxes, old tires, lumber piles, etc.
• Inspect regularly for swarm or hive activity.
• If bee activity is found call for professional service immediately.
Interesting Fact
An Africanized species of bee was brought to Rio Clara, Brazil in 1956 to breed with native honey bees to improve the bee keeping industry. The Africanized species escaped and started breeding with other native bees. This population slowly migrated north entering the United States in 1993 permanently.


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Pack Rat/Wood Rat
Neotoma spp.


Physical Features
Bodies are 6-7 inches and tails 5-6 inches long. They have large ears, large dark eyes, long furry hair on their body and tails sparsely covered with hair. Their fur is soft and colored brown to gray with the belly being lighter in color. They have long hind legs and short front legs.
Life Cycle
Live young
Breeding occurs primarily in the spring with 1-5 litters per year. Litters can have one to four young. A litter is born after a gestation period of 33 to 39 days. Pack rats live singly unless mating or rearing young.  They can be found in dens close to the ground 3-5 feet in height and diameter. Some species build nests in trees.
Habits
• Diet: Feed on seeds, grasses and other vegetation.
• Activity: Nocturnal
• Preferred Climate: Dry environments since they get moisture from the foods they eat
• Defense: Speed, agile climbing, and some species will jump
• Cautions: Nests can have fleas that carry diseases. Rats are also known to carry disease and should not be handled.
• Home Invasion: Pack rats will enter homes in search of food through small exterior openings. They are attracted to shiny objects.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Seal openings into home.
• Inspect perimeter of home for possible nest sites.
• Recommend regular pest control service plan.
Interesting Fact
Poison ivy is not poisonous to all. Wood rats will feed on the leaves, stems and seeds of this unpopular plant.


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House Mouse
Mus domesticus


Physical Features
Body 2-4 inches in length, equally long tail, moderately sized ears, grayish-brown with a gray or buff belly, and normally weigh .5 to 1 ounce. 
Life Cycle
Live Young
Mice may breed year round indoors producing 5-10 litters compared to outdoors where they breed less often. After an 18 to 21 day gestation period, the female delivers a litter of 2-13 young. The young are naked and have their eyes closed. After 2 weeks, they are covered with fur and their eyes and ears are open. They begin to make short trips from the nest foraging for food. At 6-10 weeks they are sexually mature. The nest is often shared.  Mice will travel 10-30 feet or more from their nest when searching for food or water. They can live long periods without water obtaining water from their food sources.
Habits
• Diet: Seeds. They are erratic feeders taking small bits at a time from different areas. Consume about 10% of their body weight per day.
• Activity: Nocturnal especially the time following sunset and prior to sunup.
• Preferred Climate: Depends on species but prefer constant temperatures found indoors.
• Defense: Speed and size. Rely on smells and pheromones.
• Cautions: Rapidly reproduces
• Home Invasion: House mice will nest in secluded areas within a structure or in the ground near structures or food sites.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Thorough sanitation practices to eliminate food sources
• Recommend regular pest control service plan.
Interesting Fact
Mice detect new items placed in their pathways, but unlike rats, they do not shy away from these items.


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Millipede
Orthoporous ornatus (Desert Millipedes)


Physical Features
Various colors ranging from shades of brown to yellow with black stripes, averaging 4 to 5 inches in length, cylindrical body, with 2 pairs of legs per section of body except for the first 3 sections which have only one pair of legs.
Life Cycle
Gradual metamorphosis
Females lay 20-300 eggs underground or in an isolated area. The eggs are not cared for by the female, and hatch in a few weeks. The young are smaller versions of the adult form molting as they grow and adding legs at each stage. After seven to ten molts, sexual maturity is reached. Millipedes can live up to ten years. 
Habits
• Diet: Forage for decaying organic material such as plant mulch and leaves.
• Activity: Nocturnal, burrowing underground during the day.
• Preferred Climate: Humid. Will see out in evenings after heavy rains.
• Defense: Releases a foul tasting chemical from sides of body. Will coil into a C shape and become motionless.
• Cautions: An unpleasant odor will be exuded if crushed. Some people may be allergic to this liquid.
• Home Invasion: Enter homes through cracks and crevices. Enter during summer searching for food or during winter for the warmer temperature.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Regular lawn maintenance keeping lawns cut short.
• Watering lawns in early morning so it can dry before evening.
• Remove wood, leaves and other plant debris near home.
• Recommend regular pest control service plan.
Interesting Fact
Unlike their name suggests, millipedes do not have 1,000 legs. The maximum number of legs found on a millipede is 750.


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House Centipede
Scutigera coleoptrata


Physical Features
House centipedes have long, flattened and segmented bodies with one pair of legs per segment attached to the sides of their body. They grow up to 1 plus inches in length, have 15 pairs of long, thin legs with dark and white bands, are brown to grayish-yellow, have three longitudinal dark stripes on top, well-developed eyes, and poison jaws connected to poison glands used to kill insects.
Life Cycle
Gradual metamorphosis
House centipedes lay an average of 60 eggs in the spring or early summer.  The larva hatch with four pairs of legs and will complete 5 instars increasing the number of leg pairs they have each time 5,7,9,11, and 13 pair.  They will complete four instars after the larva stage before becoming adults.
Habits
• Diet: Feed on small insects, larvae and spiders
• Activity: Nocturnal
• Preferred Climate: Damp, temperate environments
• Defense: Venom and speed
• Cautions: Considered harmless to people but will possibly bite. Venom could cause pain similar to a bee sting. Allergic reaction is possible.
• Home Invasion: Will live indoors or outdoors.  Inside they will inhabit areas in a home they can find moisture: bathrooms, cellars, stacks of firewood, etc.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Eliminate moisture in or near the home that could attract centipedes.
• Clean possible food sources.
• Recommend regular pest control service plan.
Interesting Fact
The last pair of legs serve to wrap around their prey.


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Giant Centipede
Scutigera heros


Physical Features
Giant centipedes have long, flattened and segmented bodies with one pair of legs per segment attached to the sides of their body. Range between 6 to 8 inches in length, 21 to 23 pairs of legs, 4 small legs on each side of head, and well-developed eyes. Poison glands connected to jaw and legs are used to kill insects. They also have a dark blue head and a posterior “pseudohead” to confuse predators.
Life Cycle
Gradual metamorphosis
Giant centipedes lay their eggs in cavities. The young, colorless immatures hatch with the same amount of legs as the adult. They complete four instars after the immature stage before becoming adult form.
Habits
• Diet: Small insects, larvae and spiders
• Activity: Nocturnal
• Preferred Climate: Damp, temperate environments
• Defense: Speed and venom from poison claws paralyze prey
• Cautions: Venomous centipedes in our area. Bite is painful, can also pinch with their last pair of legs.
• Home Invasion: Mainly found outdoors hiding under rocks and debris, but will occasionally enter a structure.  Possible nest locations are near areas pipes may be leaking or moisture is collected.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Eliminate moisture in or near the home that could attract centipedes.
• Clean possible food sources.
• Recommend regular pest control service plan.
Interesting Fact
Giant centipedes in South America can grow over one foot in length.


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Leaf Cutter Ant
Acromyrmex versicolor


Physical Features
Legs are longer than their body size, 1/6 to 1/2 inch long, dark brown to rust brown, and two nodes between the abdomen and thorax. Large heads and long spines on the body make it easy to identify these ants.
Life Cycle
Complete metamorphosis
Leaf cutter ants are social insects with eggs developing into larvae, pupa and a caste member: queen, workers (nursers and leaf collectors), soldiers, and drones. Females collect fungus and tuck into pockets in their head then leave the nest to find a drone. This swarming process most often occurs from April to June. Once she has mated she starts a nest and lays eggs. She will be the queen of the new colony and will produce up to 1,000 eggs per day. The colony will depend on the workers to select appropriate leaves to bring back to the colony. They will travel long distances for food creating distinct trails from the mound to food sources. Other workers ride on the leaves protecting the ant carrying the leaf from flies that may attack. Workers chew the leaves to a pulp-like material that sprouts fungus for the ants to eat. Colonies will have up to 5 fungus gardens growing at a time. Nests can go as deep as 8 feet or more below ground and reach horizontally as far as an acre. Colonies may contain 1,000,000 workers or more.
Habits
• Diet: Leaf and other vegetation
• Activity: Forage at night especially from May to September
• Preferred Climate: Summer time temperatures
• Defense: Soldier ants and rider ants
• Cautions: Painful bite and destroy vegetation
• Home Invasion: Mounds of the leaf cutter ant can be found in shaded areas that have moisture in the soil: under trees in washes, planters, and drainage areas. The mounds will be clear of any vegetation except for the leaves you may see worker ants carrying into the mound with distinct trails coming from the mound to food sources.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Keep a well-maintained landscape.
• Reduce moisture sources including leaks.
• Recommend regular pest control service plan.
Interesting Fact
Leaf cutter ants can carry leaves 30 times their weight.


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Red Harvester Ant
Pogonomyrmex barbatus


Physical Features
There are 22 species of harvester ants in the United States. These insects have six legs, three body parts and antenna, square-shaped heads, no spines on the body, red to dark brown, chewing mouthparts, and up to 1/2 inch long. They have powerful mandibles capable of cutting and carrying grass and small stems to the nest.
Life Cycle
Complete metamorphosis
Winged males and females leave nests in swarms especially after rainfall. They couple off and mate. The males soon die and females find a nest site. She will drop her wings, and make a burrow to deposit eggs. White and legless larvae emerge until pupation occurs within a cocoon. Adult ants carry out their caste’s role: workers aid in caring for eggs, constructing the nest and foraging for food; queens produce eggs and care for developing ants; and males reproduce.
Habits
• Diet: Grass seeds, insects and spiders
• Activity: During the day
• Preferred Climate: Temperate climate; dry, arid environments
• Defense: Cover nest opening to keep intruders out and painful sting
• Cautions: Painful sting if disturbed
• Home Invasion: Mounds may be seen in the ground. The mound of red harvester ants will have vegetation cleared from 3 to 20 feet around the mound center. Pathway(s) of cleared vegetation from the mound may go as far as 200 feet.
Helpful Hints for Control
• Keep a well-maintained landscape.
• Reduce moisture sources including leaks.
• Recommend regular pest control service plan.
Interesting Fact
In 2003, harvester ants became the first ants to travel from earth to space on the NASA space shuttle. Scientists were studying the effects of space flight and weightlessness on the tunneling behavior during a 16-day flight.


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Argentine Ant
Linepithema humile


Physical Features
Argentine ants have three body parts, six legs, antennae, and coloring ranging from light to dark brown. Thorax is unevenly rounded and hairless. Compound eyes, but virtually blind. One bump (node) is between the thorax and abdomen. The size and identifying characteristics vary upon caste members: queens-1/6 to 1/4 inch, workers-half the size of queens, and males-wings.
Life Cycle
Complete metamorphosis
Development takes 33-141 days from egg, larva, pupa, to adult forms. Adult forms have a caste system with defined roles within the colony. Workers make up the largest population in the colony. They protect the colony, gather food, and construct nest. Many queens exist in the colony. They produce eggs, care for developing forms and groom. Males reproduce then leave the nest. They are attracted to lights.
Habits
• Diet: Not Selective, especially sweets
• Activity: Day and night
• Preferred Climate: Warmer climates. Travel deeper into soil or indoors in cold and wet seasons.
• Defense: Highly aggressive against other ant species eliminating other ant species in territories they invade.
• Cautions: Emit a greasy, musty odor when crushed, capable of biting when disturbed.
• Home Invasion: Trails of ants will be seen traveling along baseboards, carpet edges, furniture lines, etc. These ants will be searching for any food.
Helpful Hints for Control
Sanitation practices to eliminate food sources.
• Keep well-maintained landscape.
• Recommend regular pest control service plan.
Interesting Fact
The large population of invasive Argentine ants in California has been contributed to the sharp decline of the coastal horned lizard population. Studies have shown that these lizards cannot process adequate nutrients when digesting this species; therefore, they are unable to maintain their weight.
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