1. Home
  2. Pests, Weeds, and Diseases
  3. Insects

Common Insects Found in Urban Landscapes in Central Oregon

Insects are divided into categories based on the type of damage they cause including leaf chewers, leafminers, flowers, fruit and seed feeders, sap suckers, trunk and branch borers, gall makers, root, tuber, and bulb feeders. Clicking on the Management link will take you directly to the PNW Insect Management Handbook.

Leaf Chewers

Cabbage Looper

  • Cabbage loopers move like an inch worm and chew holes in the leaves

    Photo: Utah State University

  • Cabbage looper and frass

    Photo: University of Minnesota

  • Cabbage looper adult

    Photo: Keith Naylor, Bugwood.org

Hosts: cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, kale, other cole crops

Management: See Cabbage and mustard seed-Looper in the PNW Insect Management Handbook

Earwigs

  • Close-up of a European earwig

    Photo: Ken Gray Image Collection

  • Earwig damage on canola

    Photo: University of California

  • Earwig damage on canola

    Photo: Ken Gray Image Collection

Hosts: soft fruits, seedlings, aphids, mites, zinnia, marigolds, dahlias

Management: See Landscape pests-Earwig in PNW Insect Management Handbook

Elm Leaf Beetle

  • Larvae and adults feeding

    Photo: University of California

  • Leaf damage from beetles

    Photo: University of California

  • Adult beetle

Hosts: Siberian, Rock, English and American Elms. Siberian Elm is common in Central Oregon.

Management: See Elm leaf beetle in the PNW Insect Management Handbook

Fall Webworm

  • The larval stage of the fall webworm

    Photo: University of Illinois Extension

  • Fall webworm and webbing covering a branch on a crabapple

    Photo: University of Illinois Extension

Hosts: Several deciduous trees and shrubs

Management: Chemical control generally not recommended. Prune out affected branch. Occurs later in the season, mid to late summer. See Fall webworm in the PNW Insect Management Handbook.

Flea Beetle

  • Close-up of Cabbage flea beetle

    Photo: Ken Gray Image Collection

  • Western flea beetle damage on leaves

    Photo: Utah State University

Hosts: Cabbage, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, eggplant, radish, potato, corn, tomato, beans

Management: See Flea beetle in the PNW Insect Management Handbook

Imported Cabbageworm

  • Imported cabbageworm larva chew holes in the the leaves

    Photo: Utah State University

  • Egg on leaf

    Photo: Colorado State University

  • Imported cabbageworm adult

    Photo: David Cappaert, Michigan State University

Hosts: broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussel sprouts, kohlrabi, mustard greens

Management: See Imported cabbageworm in the PNW Insect Management Handbook

Leafcutter Bee

  • Adult leafcutter bee

    Photo: Ken Gray Image Collection

  • Leafcutter bee damage to a leaf

    Photo: Colorado State University

Hosts: Rose, lilac, serviceberry, others

Management: No chemical control recommended as these insect are beneficial pollinators.

Leafrollers

  • Adult oblique-banded leafroller

    Photo: Washington State University

  • Oblique-banded leafroller larva

    Photo: Washington State University

  • Larval stage rolled up in a leaf

    Photo: Utah State University

Hosts: Apples, crabapples, plums, several deciduous trees and shrubs

Management: See Leafroller and leaftier in the PNW Insect Management Handbook

Pear Sawfly

  • Adult fly of the pear sawfly

    Photo: Ken Gray Image Collection

  • Pear sawfly larva feeding on a chokeberry

    Photo: A. Detweiler, Oregon State University

Hosts: Cherry, plum, hawthorn, pear, chokeberry, cotoneaster

Management: See Pear sawfly (pear slug) in the PNW Insect Management Handbook

Root Weevil (Black Vine & Strawberry)

  • Black Vine Weevil

    Photo: Ken Gray Image Collection

  • Strawberry Root Weevil

    Photo: Ken Gray Image Collection

  • Strawberry Root Weevil larva

    Photo: Ken Gray Image Collection

  • Notched feeding on the leaves is a classic sign of feeding by adult root weevils.

    Photo: Utah State University

Hosts: Lilac, rhododendron and many other ornamental plants. Adults feed on the leaves at night.

Management: See Landscape pests-Root weevil in the PNW Insect Management Handbook

Tomato Hornworm

  • Tomato hornworm feeding on a tomato plant

    Photo: A. Detweiler, Oregon State University

  • Feeding damage

    Photo: A. Detweiler, Oregon State University

  • Adult female hawkmoth

    Photo: Shawn Hanrahan, Texas A & M University

Hosts: Tomato, potato

Management: See Tomato hornworm in the PNW Insect Management Handbook

Leafminers

Aspen Leaf Blotch Miner

  • The larva mine between the top and bottom layers of the leaf. The larva was pulled out for photo to show it's size.

    Photo: A. Detweiler, Oregon State University

  • Damage on a leaf

    Photo: A. Detweiler, Oregon State University

  • Adult moth of the Aspen Leaf Blotch Miner

    Photo: David E. Reed, Bugguide.net

Host: Aspen

Management: Leaf miner control (the use of insecticides) is usually not necessary on aspen or poplars. The damage is aesthetic damage and generally does not cause branch dieback or tree failure. Healthy plants can recover from heavy defoliation. Research shows that plants under environmental stress are more susceptible to leaf miner so keep plants in good health. See Landscape pests-Leafminer in the PNW Insect Management Handbook.

Spinach Leafminer

  • Leafminer larval stage

    Photo: University of Mass Amherst

  • Adult leafminer

    Photo: USDA

  • Damage from leafminers tunneling through the leaves

    Photo: Utah State University

Host: Spinach, Swiss chard, beets, other leafy greens

Management: See Spinach-Leafminer in the PNW Insect Management Handbook

Flower, Fruit and Seed Feeders

Codling Moth

  • apple with damage on skin

    Sting from a codling moth larva tunneling into the fruit.

    Photo: A. Detweiler, Oregon State University

  • Codling moth larva

    Photo: A. Detweiler, Oregon State University

  • Codling moth

    Photo: Ken Gray Insect Image Collection

Host: Apple, Pear and Walnut Trees

For more information: Project Happy Apples

Management: See Codling moth in the PNW Insect Management Handbook

Earwigs

  • Close-up of a European earwig

    Photo: Ken Gray Image Collection

  • Earwig damage on canola

    Photo: University of California

  • Earwig damage on canola

    Photo: Ken Gray Image Collection

Hosts: soft fruits, seedlings, aphids, mites, zinnia, marigolds, dahlias

Management: See Landscape pests-Earwig in PNW Insect Management Handbook

Sap Suckers

Aphids

Hosts: Many trees and shrubs

Management: See Landscape pests-Aphid in the PNW Insect Management Handbook

Leafhopper

  • Sharpshooter Leafhopper on a blade of grass

    Photo: Colorado State University

Host: Turfgrass-all types. Can be mistaken for whitefly.

Management: See Leafhopper in the PNW Insect Management Handbook

Oystershell Scale

  • Oystershell scale covering the trunk of an aspen tree

    Photo: A. Detweiler, Oregon State University

  • Oystershell scale crawlers below the cover of a now dead scale

    Photo: Colorado State University

Hosts: Aspen, ash, cotoneaster, dogwood, maple, willow, lilac

Management: See Scale in the PNW Insect Management Handbook

Pine Needle Scale

  • Pine Needle Scales. Note adult scale with an egg appearing from under the cover (pink) and the settled crawler in the upper left.

    Photo: Ohio State University

  • Pine Needle Scales covering the needles on a pine branch.

    Photo: University of Wisconsin

Hosts: Pines and spruce

Management: See Pine needle scale in the PNW Insect Management Handbook

Spider Mites

  • Two-spotted spider mite adults and eggs. Spider mites can become a problem on ornamental plants, vegetables and fruit plants during hot, dry weather.

    Photo: Ralph Berry, Oregon State University

  • Spider mite webbing on tomato plants

    Photo: University of Georgia

  • Stippling damage from spider mites

    Photo: Purdue University Extension Service

Hosts: Spruce, arborvitae, several perennials

Management: See Spider mite in the PNW Insect Management Handbook

Trunk and Branch Borers

Bronze Birch Borer

Hosts: White barked birch-Jacque Monti and European White

Management: See Peachtree borer the PNW Insect Management Handbook

Mountain Pine Beetle

  • Mature adult mountain pine beetle

    Photo: USDA Forest Service

  • Pitch tubes along the truck of a pine tree, a sign of mountain pine beetle

    Photo: USDA Forest Service

Hosts: Ponderosa, lodge pole, limber, scotch pine trees

Management: See Mountain pine beetle in the PNW Insect Management Handbook

Sequoia Pitch Moth

  • Adult Sequoia Pitch Moth

    Photo: Ken Gray Image Collection

  • Pitch masses on the truck and branches of pine trees.

    Photo: A. Detweiler, Oregon State University

  • Larval stage that feeds under the pitch mass.

    Photo: Ken Gray Image Collection

Hosts: All pine trees

Management: See Pitch moth in the PNW Insect Management Handbook

Gall Makers

Poplar Twiggall Fly

  • Gall forming in aspen twigs

    Photo: Utah State University

  • Adult fly on an aspen leaf

    Photo: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University

  • Larva of the twiggall fly inside of the branch

    Photo: Utah State University

Hosts: Aspen and poplar

Management: See Poplar twiggall fly in the PNW Insect Management Handbook

Root, Tuber and Bulb Feeders

Onion Maggot

  • Larva causing damage

    Photo: University of California, Davis

  • Damage

    Photo: Ken Gray Image Collection

  • Larva causing damage

    Photo: Ken Gray Image Collection

  • Adult onion maggot fly

    Photo: Ken Gray Image Collection

Root Weevil (Black Vine & Strawberry)

  • Black Vine Weevil

    Photo: Ken Gray Image Collection

  • Strawberry Root Weevil

    Photo: Ken Gray Image Collection

  • Strawberry Root Weevil larva

    Photo: Ken Gray Image Collection

Hosts: Lilac, rhododendron and many other ornamental plants. The larval stage feeds on the roots of plants.

Management: See Landscape pests-Root weevil in the PNW Insect Management Handbook

Close up of raspberries in a demo garden
This piece is part of the collection Central Oregon Garden Publications

Was this page helpful?

Related Content from OSU Extension

Inspecting green-growing vines for vine mealybug

How to check for vine mealybug on shipments of new grape vines. This video is available in English and Spanish.

University of California Cooperative Extension, Napa | Jun 2018 | Video

Ponderous borer identification?

We found this giant beetle hanging out on our screen door. I've never seen anything like it before. Is there any reason to be concerned? We live have lots of Doug Fir and Cedar on our property.

William Gerth | Jul 2020 | Featured question

Emerald ash borer resources

Learn how to identify the emerald ash borer (EAB) beetle and ash trees, what you can do and ways Oregonians are planning for and preventing the spread of this destructive insect.

Aug 2022 | Collection

The Columbia Root-Knot Nematode Problem

The Columbia root-knot nematode attacks potatoes and causes injury to tubers in the Columbia Basin of Oregon and Washington as well as other areas of the Pacific Northwest.

Jim Green | Apr 1981 | Article

How to Identify the Spotted Wing Drosophila Fly

Learn how to identify the spotted wing drosophila fly.

Tiffany Woods, Amy J. Dreves | Mar 2011 | Video

A New Pest Attacking Healthy Ripening Fruit in Oregon: Spotted Wing Drosophila

Publication provides an overview of spotted wing drosophila identification, biology, damage, monitoring, and control.

Amy J. Dreves, Vaughn Walton | Oct 2009 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Protecting Honey Bees from Yellowjacket Wasps

This publication gives beekeepers a brief overview of yellowjacket wasps, a common threat to honey bee colonies. Included are details about yellowjacket identification, life cycle, and behavior. It also offers recommendations for ...

Carolyn Breece, Ramesh Sagili | Jul 2018 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Carrot rust fly biology & management

Carrot rust flies (Psila rosae) are well known to growers of carrots, parsnips, celeriac, celery and other umbelliferous crops. The adult females are attracted to the odor of the host plant, and lay their eggs at the crown ...

Nick Andrews | Dec 2009 | Article

Monitoring for Vine Mealybug

This video by University of California Cooperative Extension, Napa, provides information on monitoring vineyards for vine mealybug.

University of California Cooperative Extension Napa | Jul 2020 | Video

Japanese beetle: A pest to watch for in Oregon

Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) is an insect exotic to the US, which has previously established throughout parts of the East Coast, Midwest and South. Although small numbers of beetles have been trapped at the Portland ...

Heather Stoven, Rachel Suits | Oct 2017 | Article

Vine Mealybug in Oregon

These resources will help you monitor, identify and manage vine mealybug, a new invasive vineyard pest in Oregon.

Mar 2023 | Collection

OSU Extension Master Gardeners plant plots to help save Oregon silverspot butterfly

OSU Extension Master Gardeners have planted two small silverspot butterfly beds at the Master Gardener demonstration gardens in Lincoln City and Yachats to draw the silverspot to a friendly place for food and shelter.

Kym Pokorny | Mar 15, 2023 | News story

Monitoring Vineyards for Spotted-wing Drosophila

Step-by-step instructions on how to monitor for SWD and interpret results. Presence of the pest is the first step to determining future management needs and strategies.

Patricia A. Skinkis | Jul 2017 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Are these termites? Should I exterminate?

These insects have been turning up in our house. What are they? They don't resemble termites that I have dealt with before, but I want to know if I need to call in an exterminator.

William Gerth | Sep 2021 | Featured question

What are these mysterious red casings?

I found two red pods or casings in a raised bed. What are they? Are they harmful to my garden plants?

Jean Natter | May 2020 | Featured question

Jumping spider encounter?

I just watched a spider of the small jumping kind crawl up from the floor board of my car, across the dash, and onto my steering wheel column. It then climbed out to the end of the steering wheel column, closest to ...

Stuart Reitz | Jun 2017 | Featured question

Trapping and Identifying Mealybugs in Oregon Vineyards

This publication gives details on how pheromone traps should be used to ensure optimal catches and early detection.

Amy J. Dreves, Vaughn Walton | Jan 2010 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Western Corn Rootworm in Eastern Oregon, Idaho, and Eastern Washington

Western corn rootworm (WCR) is present in eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Idaho. As corn acreage in the region increases, WCR has the potential to become a serious pest. This publication covers how to identify WCR, its...

Silvia I. Rondon | Sep 2014 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Ask Extension

Have a question? Ask Extension!

Ask Extension is a way for you to get answers from the Oregon State University Extension Service. We have experts in family and health, community development, food and agriculture, coastal issues, forestry, programs for young people, and gardening.

Ask us a question