Bugs of Pennsylvania

Bugs are insects of the order Hemiptera, commonly called true bugs. There are more than 10,000 species of Hemiptera, according to the Bug Guide. They're usually very small with mouths designed for sucking their food. Few of this species feed on mammals or other invertebrates. Most Hemiptera are plant feeders that damage crops, grass and other plants. Four of these bugs, the chinch bug, oak leaf itch mite, flea beetle and potato leafhopper, enjoy feasting on all Pennsylvania has to offer.

  1. Chinch Bugs

    • Pennsylvania home lawns are habitats for the chinch bugs. Between 150 and 200 of the bugs can populate a square foot of grass. According to the Entomology Department of Penn State, the hairy pests feed on the nutrients in grass, then inject a toxin that kills the plant. They prefer the tastes of perennial ryegrass, bentgrass and red fescues. Turfgrass is also a favorite. They're active during the spring and early summer from early July to late August. The bugs are 1/6 inch long -- small enough to go unnoticed until large patches of brown grass begin to appear.

    Oak Leaf Itch Mite

    • The oak leaf itch mite was reported in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 2007. It's believed to be from Europe. The bug causes an itchy rash after it has bitten its host. Although it eats different insects, occasionally it has bitten humans as well. The oak leaf itch mite is invisible to the naked eye. It's smaller than 1/16 inch and active during the fall months. According to the Entomology Department of Penn State, the mites are carried by the wind to new locations. They usually bite humans who are gardening or raking leaves during the fall.

    Flea Beetle

    • The most familiar species destroying corn fields in Pennsylvania is the flea beetle. The tiny pest, which is less than 1/16 inch long, carries a bacterial disease called Steward's disease that it transfers to the corn while its feeding, according to the Entomology Department of Penn State. But corn isn't the only field it craves. The flea beetle also feeds on soybeans, small grains, vegetables of the cabbage family and sorghum. It's most active during the summer and when the temperatures heat up to 85 degrees or higher.

    Potato Leafhopper

    • The potato leafhopper is not a native of Pennsylvania. Each year it migrates to the state on a storm. It's about 1/16 inch long and prefers warm climates. It feeds on Pennsylvania alfalfa, especially new seeding. The potato leafhopper's eating habits have reduced crop yields, quality and longevity. The Entomology Department of Penn State says the annual average crop damage is around $15 million. Much of the damage is done mid June through mid August. Then the leafhopper population drops and the bugs begin to die off.