Bumble bees categories: Curiosity and Beneficial Pests Fact Sheet revision date: 2025-12-11 12:13 Bumblebee on ragwortPhoto by: Phil Mitchell (Pexels.com) Biology Bumble bees are large, robust, hairy bees. They are early-season, social bees. Several species are native to the Pacific Northwest. While most are variously marked with black and yellow, some have distinctive orange or […]
Giant house spider categories: Curiosity and Beneficial Pests Fact Sheet revision date: 2025-04-25 10:30 Giant house spider on displayPhoto by: T. Murray Biology The giant house spider, Eratigena atrica (formally known as Tegenaria gigantea and T. duellica), is commonly found in and around Washington homes west of the Cascade Mountains. Its range also includes parts of coastal Canada and […]
Hobo spider categories: Curiosity and Beneficial Pests Fact Sheet revision date: 2025-12-22 01:14 Photo by: Whitney Cranshaw, CSU, Bugwood.orgPhoto by: Whitney Cranshaw, CSU, Bugwood.org Biology The hobo spider (Eratigena agrestis, formerly Tegenaria agrestis) is one of the most commonly found funnel-web or funnel weaver spiders in some parts of Washington. This relatively large (1 – 1 […]
Honey bees categories: Curiosity and Beneficial Pests Fact Sheet revision date: 2025-12-22 02:10 Honey beePhoto by: Johnny N. Dell, Bugwood.org Biology The domesticated honey bee, Apis melifera, is a crucial pollinator for many agricultural crops including tree fruits and small fruits. In the home garden, honey bees help pollinate and ensure the productivity of our fruit […]
Jumping spider categories: Curiosity and Beneficial Pests Fact Sheet revision date: 2025-12-22 03:50 Salticidae—another brightly-colored jumping spider, Phidippus carneus. Body length, 3/8 inch.Photo by D. Pehling, WSU Extension Biology Jumping spiders are compact, active, and usually colorful spiders that are found on window sills, ceilings, and on outside walls and foundations of homes. These spiders […]
Lady beetles categories: Curiosity and Beneficial Pests Fact Sheet revision date: 2025-12-30 03:05 Convergent lady beetlePhoto by: unknown Biology There are several species of lady beetles (ladybird beetles, “ladybugs”) that occur in the Pacific Northwest. Many of the species commonly seen in the garden resemble the “classic” lady beetle, with black bodies and conspicuous red […]
Native longhorned beetles (Cerambycids) categories: Curiosity and Beneficial Pests Fact Sheet revision date: 2025-12-31 01:48 Banded alder borerPhoto by: Art Antonelli Biology Longhorned beetles (roundheaded woodborers) are usually large beetles with long antennae. The body is typically long and cylindrical with parallel sides. The antennae are at least half the length of the body but […]
Orchard mason bees categories: Curiosity and Beneficial Pests Fact Sheet revision date: 2025-03-23 08:26 Orchard mason beePhoto by: Art Antonelli Biology Orchard mason bees are black to metallic blue bees and are slightly smaller than a honeybee. They are often mistaken for house flies, because they may enter houses and be found in sunny windows […]
Predaceous ground beetles (Carabids) categories: Curiosity and Beneficial Pests Fact Sheet revision date: 2025-12-31 02:47 This adult ground beetle is 3/4 inch long. Note the mandibles: definitely a predaceous beetle.Photo by: J. Vander Houwen, WSU Extension Biology The predaceous ground beetles, or carabids, belong to one of the largest beetle families in North America. There […]
Rove beetles categories: Curiosity and Beneficial Pests Fact Sheet revision date: 2025-12-31 03:33 Rove beetlePhoto by: Art Antonelli Biology Rove beetles are common insects in the yard and garden and may sometimes be found in homes. The many species come in a wide variety of forms, but most common rove beetles are slender, elongate beetles […]