Knowing the enemy is the first step in battling the infestations of aphids, weevils and other pests so prevalent this time of year; Washington State University entomologists have developed tools to help.

"Aphids of Western North America North of Mexico" and the "Western Washington Field Guide to Common Small Fruit Root Weevils" are available through the WSU College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences.

"There are hundreds of different species of aphids in the region, and that is always a concern," said Keith Pike, research entomologist located at Prosser. "You name the crop; we've got an aphid that infests it."

Pike and research technologists Leslie Boydston and David Allison developed the guide to assist in the identification of aphids of North America north of Mexico to subfamily and to genus based on the winged female. Unique to this guide is a comprehensive portfolio of photos and illustrations for each genus, providing close-up views of the winged female.

Research associate Bev Gerdeman worked with research entomologist Lynell Tanigoshi to produce a compact, yet comprehensive, field guide to another pest to Washington growers -- small fruit root weevils. "Growers need to be alerted to these weevils; if you've got them you need to treat them," Tanigoshi said. "Our whole philosophy is that you've got to know your enemy."

The "Western Washington Field Guide to Common Small Fruit Root Weevils" is a pocket-sized publication, the first from WSU to be printed on synthetic, plastic paper that is waterproof.

Copies of these and other publications from WSU Bulletins can be ordered by calling (800) 723-1763 or online at http://pubs.wsu.edu.