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Common Name: Thrips
Order: Thysanoptera
Family: Thripidae
Photo Credit: John Obermeyer, Purdue University
Pest Status: Thrips are tiny insects that can become plant pests as
they scrape the epidermal leaf layer off of plant leaves. They can be
especially problematic in greenhouse production.
Appearance: Thrips are slender and minute ( 1 ⁄20-inch long) and
have long fringes on the margins of both pairs of their long, narrow
wings. Magnification is required to make out important
morphological features. Most thrips range in color from translucent
white to dark brown.
Life Cycle: Female thrips deposit eggs in slits made in the leaf
tissue. The eggs hatch within a week into active nymphs. The
developmental period from egg to adult ranges from 11 days to
three weeks. Parthenogenesis occurs in many species.
Where to Collect: Some species can be found within buds and
furled leaves of plants. Others can be collected by shaking flower
blossoms above dark paper.
Common Name: Tiger beetle
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Carabidae
Photo Credit: Rusty Papsdorf
Pest Status: Tiger beetles are not pests.
Appearance: Adults are ½-inch long and have long antennae and
legs. With their large compound eyes, their heads measure wider
than their thorax. Although colors can vary, common species have
spectacular metallic blue, green, and bronze coloration.
Life Cycle: Female tiger beetles lay their eggs in burrows in
the soil. The larvae hatch from the eggs, overwinter and
develop through three larval instars. Both adults and young are
predators. The larvae pupate in the summer and emerge as adults
after one month.
Where to Collect: On sunny days, tiger beetles are found in sandy
areas along the shores of rivers and streams. They are very shy and
extremely fast runners and fliers. A collector must be equally quick
with a net to capture these insects.
Common Name: Tiger moth
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Arctiidae
Pest Status: Tiger moths are not considered pests.
Appearance: Adults have dark forewings with large, white
splotches and bands. The hindwings are white.
Life Cycle: Tiger moths overwinter as caterpillars. Woolybear
caterpillars in the fall are thought to indicate the severity of the
oncoming winter by the proportion of red-brown to black on
their bodies. They pupate in the spring and shortly thereafter they
emerge as adults.
Where to Collect: Tiger moths can be found near downed logs,
loose bark, or firewood in the spring time. Later in the year they
occur in gardens and landscapes.
Photo Credit: John Obermeyer, Purdue University