Ground beetles are small insects with relatively long legs and powerful pinchers. Many species of ground beetles are beneficial insects because they feed on common crop and plant pests. However, ground beetles can also become a nuisance in homes during summer and early fall. They enter homes through cracks in doors, foundations, and windows. Although not dangerous, some varieties of ground beetles can bite with their powerful jaws (mandibles).

Texas is home to many kinds of spiders — some people reckon over 100 arachnoid species. From Amarillo in the panhandle to Corpus Christi and east to Dallas and Houston, you will find many types of brown spiders, the common Texas wolf spider, and several species of black and white spiders. Although there are a few varieties of venomous spiders in Texas, most spiders are relatively harmless.

Chinch bugs are common destructive yard pests that damage lawns. Chinch bug damage can appear as dead patches of turfgrass as if it’s suffered from sun scorch. However, the real culprit can be tiny brown or black bugs with a large white spot on their wing covers. These lawn pests in the turfgrass thatch feed on grass, thriving in hot, dry environments.

Yellow beetles generally have brightly colored yellow or golden yellow bodies making them stand out in a landscape. Some varieties of yellow beetles have black stripes or patches, giving them an incredibly striking appearance. The most common kind of yellow beetle is the striped cucumber beetle (Acalymma vittatum). Other common beetles with yellow bodies include yellow ladybugs, the velvet beetle, and the black and yellow longhorn beetle.

Green beetles are fascinating insects with smooth bodies, six legs, and two antennae. Some eye-catching green beetle varieties have shiny metallic green bodies and iridescent coloring. The most common beetle with a green body is the green June beetle (Cotinis nitida) which has a shiny green body with bronze patches on it. Although most beetles are relatively harmless, beetle larvae can sometimes damage turfgrass, ornamental plants, and even soft furnishing indoors.

Cucumber beetles are striped or spotted bugs that do damage to various types of crops. You may find the small yellow or orange beetles crawling on plants in the cucurbit family — cucumbers, pumpkins, watermelons, squash, and zucchini. The spotted or striped yellowish-green cucumber beetles eat shoots, flowers, and leaves, eventually killing your vegetables. Therefore, controlling and getting rid of cucumber beetles is crucial if you want to save your crops.

Discovering tiny red bugs on plants can signify a bug infestation. Red plant bugs like clover mites and spider mites can be so tiny they are difficult to spot with the naked eye. However, the minuscule, red-bodied mites can be so numerous that they look like pepper on the underside of leaves. While the red bugs won’t kill plants, they can weaken plant growth and cause leaf discoloration.

Brown bugs on plants are significant pests on ornamental shrubs, flowering plants, houseplants, and crops. Small, destructive brown bugs like aphids, spider mites, Asiatic beetles, and Colorado potato beetles can devastate decorative plants and crops. The tiny brown bugs bite into plant tissue and suck juices or burrow in the ground and consume roots.

Seeing a black spider with white spots scurrying across the floor is enough to send you into a frenzied panic. Or you may have noticed a white-spotted black spider outside in the yard and wonder if the spider is dangerous or not. Identifying black spiders that have white markings is vital to identify harmless spiders from venomous, biting spiders.

Black and white bees are sometimes mistaken for the bald-faced hornet—a type of black wasp with white markings. However, several species of bees have black furry bodies with white stripes. Additionally, there are a few types of black and white wasps, one of which is the feared bald-faced hornet.