Insects

OSU Extension Service provides information on insect and arthropod management in Oregon and throughout the country. This includes Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, research on pollinators and specimen preservation.

2022 PNW Insect Management Handbook

By Navneet Kaur

Covers pesticide safety and toxicity, protecting bees, adjuvants, mixing tables, calibration and biological control. Other sections cover a wide variety of agricultural and nonagricultural products such as commercial vegetables, small fruit, turf and ornamentals, hay and pasture, grains, seeds, home gardens, greenhouses, livestock, poultry, household and public health. Each section describes pests, the damage they do, and recommended management.

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Photo Credit: Andrei310 - Adobe Stock (Cropped from original)

Latest Resources

Integrated Pest Management of Nonbiting Flies in Schools

Many kinds of flies are found in and around school grounds. Only some are problematic, and many are considered beneficial. In the Pacific Northwest, hover flies (also called syrphid or flower flies) are common in fruit tree ...

Tim Stock | Dec 2022 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Emerald Ash Borer - A New Invasive Pest

A 10-Minute University guest presentation by Dr. Gail Langellotto, Professor of Horticulture at Oregon State University about Emerald Ash Borer.

Gail Langellotto | Oct 2022 | Video Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Solve Pest Problems

Learn research-based, safe, and effective tactics for common garden and property pests and weeds. We provide non-chemical methods alongside the most effective and least toxic chemical options available, to reduce risk to people and the environment. Solve Pest Problems is a partnership between OSU and Oregon stakeholders to provide a user-friendly online resource to help urban and rural property managers to solve pest problems.

Weston Miller | Oct 2022 | Online resource Peer reviewed (Gray level)

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Have an insect problem?

Solve Pest Problems is a partnership between OSU and Oregon stakeholders to provide a user-friendly online resource to help urban and rural property managers to solve pest problems. Learn research-based, safe, and effective tactics for common garden and property pests and weeds. We provide non-chemical methods alongside the most effective and least toxic chemical options available, to reduce risk to people and the environment.

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A Pocket Guide to Common Natural Enemies of Nursery Crops and Garden Pests in the Pacific Northwest

By Melissa Scherr Robin Rosetta and Lloyd Nackley

Learn how to identify some common insects that prey on garden pests. See what they look like at various life stages, and learn how to encourage beneficial insects in your garden or nursery. Print this pocket guide on letter-size paper and cut pages as indicated to make a booklet.

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Photo Credit: Eduardo Estellez - Adobe Stock (Cropped from original)

Oregon Insect Identification Resources

Common Spiders Found in Central Oregon

A list of spiders that can be commonly found in or around central Oregon.

Jul 2018 | Collection

Common Insects Found in Central Oregon

A collection of some of the common insects found in central Oregon.

Jul 2018 | Collection

Entomology for gardeners

Your garden is full of insects—some friends, some foes. Learn how to identify insects so that you know how to respond when you see them in your garden.

Jean R. Natter | Jan 2019 | Article

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Collecting and Preserving Insects

Collecting insects can be a fun hobby, and is also an important step in IPM. The resources in this collection will help you learn how to find and collect insects and arthropods, then prepare them so that they can be useful for identification and research efforts.

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Photo Credit: Jet Stouten - Unsplash.com (Cropped from original)

Featured Insect Questions

How can I support the endangered Monarch butterfly?

Q: I recently read in the news that the Monarch Butterfly was added to the endangered species list. What can I plant in my garden to help the butterfly? I read that milkweed plants are their natural habitat. Yesterday I ...

A: View answer | View all featured questions

What do I do if I suspect an emerald ash borer infestation?

Q: We have at least one ash tree that is showing top dieback. What should we do to try to confirm whether or not we have the beetle?

A: View answer | View all featured questions

Stink bugs and boxelder bugs everywhere?

Q: The exterior of my house is covered in stink bugs and boxelder bugs. Occasionally, some also get inside my home. How do I get rid of them without using pesticides?

A: View answer | View all featured questions

Latest News

New Extension website helps solve pest and disease problems

Solve Pest and Weed Problems focuses specifically on the Pacific Northwest and prioritizes low-risk approaches.

Kym Pokorny | Nov 10, 2022 | News story

Large increase of brown marmorated stink bugs poses serious threat to Oregon crops

It’s unclear why the population of brown marmorated stink bug exploded this year. Like other insects, the population of the shield-shaped brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) varies from year to year depending on climatic factors.

Kym Pokorny | Nov 9, 2022 | News story

OSU study of native plants and pollinators presented at the largest nursery industry show in the West

Four Extension faculty and one research assistant gave presentations at the Farwest Show, which annually draws an estimated 5,000 attendees to the Oregon Convention Center and nursery tours.

Kym Pokorny | Sep 2, 2022 | News story

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Explore more resources

Organic Agriculture

Bees and Pollinators

Gardening Techniques

Integrated Pest Management

Invasive Species

Pesticide Safety and Education

Upcoming Events

Feb 25

Intro to mason bees "In the Garden Series" class

10:00 am - 12:00 pm Portland, OR

Apr 18

Insect IPM in Vegetable Gardens

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm PDT Online

Jun 30

Tree School East 2023

Baker City, OR

Meet Our Experts

Vaughn Walton

Entomologist

Gail Langellotto

Master Gardener Statewide Coordinator

Contact me for insect and gardening questions.

Nik Wiman

Orchard Crops Specialist

Have a question? Ask an Expert!

Ask an Expert 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.

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Mysterious insects attacking my oak trees?

Q: I live in Beaverton, Oregon. All of the oak leaves seem to be turning brown and falling early this year. The backs of all the leaves falling have little black spots all over them and I see thousands of small bug ...

A: View answer | View all featured questions

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