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Entomology

Friend or Foe?

Is that bug a common pest or a vital part of a healthy ecosystem? The residents of our gardens tell us a lot about plant health and growing conditions. Use our fully indexed entomology database to identify and assess the insects you spot.

Entomology

Neutral
Dermaptera

Earwigs

(Order Dermaptera)
Earwigs are small, long insects that are most easily identified by their abdominal pincers and short wings that cover a small portion of their body.

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Helpful
Syrphidae

Syrphid Flies

(Family: Syrphidae)
If you can get close enough, make sure to count the wings. Two wings, and you’ve got a fly; four wings, and watch out - it’s a bee or wasp!

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Harmful
Aphididae

Aphids

(Family Aphididae)
This is one bug I think most people can identify immediately.

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Some bugs love your tomatoes almost as much as you do.

Meet Them

Expert

Entomology Expert

Lauren Davidson

Entomologist Lauren Davidson works at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, where she practices her passion for bugs, education, and husbandry. With a bachelor’s degree in entomology from Texas A&M University (USA), Lauren brings her expertise and humor to colleagues at the World Tomato Society while continuing graduate courses in pest management, education, morphology, and physiology.

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