NYS PCO Pest Identification Flashcards

The black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis), primary vector of Lyme disease in NY, is identified by its:

Answer: Reddish-orange body with black legs and a black scutum

The black-legged (deer) tick has a characteristic reddish-orange body with distinctly black legs and a black dorsal scutum.

Silverfish infestations are most commonly found in which environments?

Answer: High-humidity areas such as bathrooms and basements

Silverfish thrive in high-humidity environments such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements where they feed on starchy materials.

A PCO notices small, c-shaped white larvae in the soil near the roots of a lawn. These are most likely:

Answer: White grubs (scarab beetle larvae)

C-shaped white grubs are the larval stage of scarab beetles (e.g., Japanese beetle, European chafer) and are common turf pests in New York.

Which wasp builds open, umbrella-shaped paper nests under eaves and in shrubs in New York?

Answer: Paper wasp (Polistes spp.)

Paper wasps construct exposed, umbrella-shaped combs attached by a single stalk, making their nests easy to identify under overhangs.

The presence of shed skins (exuviae) and live insects in wall voids or along baseboards most likely indicates:

Answer: German cockroach infestation

German cockroaches shed their skins (nymphal exuviae) multiple times during development, and finding shed skins alongside live insects in harborage areas is a classic sign.

Which type of fly is associated with filth breeding in garbage, feces, and decaying organic matter in New York food facilities?

Answer: House fly (Musca domestica)

The house fly breeds in feces, garbage, and decaying organic matter and is a major vector for foodborne pathogens in food-handling facilities.