The pest evidence glossary.

A winged reproductive form of an ant or termite. “Swarmer” is a common household description. Wings alone do not establish which group produced them.

The outer covering left after an arthropod molts. It records an earlier life stage; it is not a live insect or proof of current activity. Also called an exuvia.

Paired appendages at the rear of some insects, including cockroaches. A clear rear view may reveal them, but they are not an identification by themselves.

A group of social insects living together, such as ants or termites. A few visible individuals do not reveal the full colony’s location or size.

Development through egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages. A carpet beetle larva looks very different from the adult beetle.

A wider photograph showing where a clue sits in relation to a room, object, seam, or opening. It complements a close-up that shows detail.

Evidence that a pest is active at the time of assessment. Old damage or debris alone cannot establish this; an inspector may need additional observations.

Fecal material left by an animal. Shape and location can narrow possibilities, but visual comparison may not identify the species or make handling safe.

A protective structure containing eggs. Cockroach egg cases are called oothecae. An unidentified capsule should not be labeled an egg case from color alone.

Changes that reduce pest entry, such as addressing appropriate gaps or damaged screens. The right work depends on the pest, building, and any animals already inside.

An opening through which an insect has emerged from a material, often used when discussing wood-boring beetles. A remaining hole does not date the emergence.

The singular and plural terms for a shed outer covering after molting. In everyday writing, “cast skin” or “shed skin” is usually clearer.

A small mark made by excreted material. The term describes a type of mark, not a confirmed species; ordinary stains can look similar.

A term used for insect fecal material and, in wood-pest discussions, expelled debris. Describe the actual texture and contents because different guides use the word differently.

A passage or hollow space made or occupied within a material. The shape and contents can help an inspector distinguish causes of wood damage.

A sheltered place where a pest hides or rests. A sighting on an open floor does not necessarily locate the harborage.

Development through egg, nymph, and adult stages without a pupal stage. Cockroaches follow this pattern; their young are called nymphs.

A developmental stage between molts. Size and markings can change between instars, so compare reference images of a similar life stage.

An approach that combines identification, monitoring, prevention, and appropriate control decisions. It is a decision process rather than the name of a single product.

The immature stage, or stages, of insects with complete metamorphosis. Beetle and moth larvae can look very different from their adults.

A position in an animal’s development, such as egg, larva, nymph, pupa, or adult. Matching life stage is essential when using a reference photo.

A different organism or object that shares some visible features with the suspected pest. Comparing the feature that separates them is more useful than matching color.

The shedding of an outer covering during development. A pale insect immediately after a molt may look unlike its usual darker form.

Repeated, planned observations used to learn about pest presence or change. A useful record states where, when, and how the observation was made.

An earthen shelter passage associated with subterranean termite activity. Its path and construction matter; an isolated smear of mud is insufficient for identification.

An immature insect in a group with incomplete metamorphosis, such as cockroaches or bed bugs. “Baby bug” is less precise and can mix up unrelated life stages.

The singular and plural terms for an egg case, used here for cockroaches. Species differ in whether the female carries or deposits the case.

A small discrete piece of material. Drywood termite fecal pellets are one example, but a pellet-shaped object alone does not identify its source.

The upper plate of the first thoracic segment, just behind the head. Its markings help compare some adult cockroaches when clearly visible.

The stage between larva and adult in complete metamorphosis. A silk cocoon, when present, is a covering around the pupa rather than the same structure.

A known measurement placed in the same plane as a photographed object. A coin or ruler far behind the object can distort the apparent size.

The actual organism or material submitted for examination. A qualified identifier may need a specimen when a photograph does not show diagnostic detail.

A winged reproductive insect seen during dispersal, commonly an ant or termite. Swarming insects should be compared using body and wing features.

Silk strands or a silk-like covering. In stored food, webbing can be a useful moth-larva clue; its context matters because spiders also produce silk.