Sending Insect/Pest Samples to the Diagnostic Clinic


When sending an insect specimen(s) to the Diagnostic Clinic, please include a short letter describing where the insects were found and when they were first noticed. Describe the number of insects found and what has been done to try to alleviate the problem. Also include a description and/or picture of any damage which has been done. Most insect specimens can be sent to the C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic in a screw-top vial or similar sealable container which is half full of isopropyl or rubbing alcohol. The CWEPPDC will charge a fee for insect identification. Expect to receive a bill if payment is not included with the sample. Click here for a fact sheet about submitting.

What type of insect/pest specimen are you sending ?

Butterfly or Moth | Hard to See Bug | Plant Damaged by Insect | All Other Bugs

Butterflies or Moths

  1. Gently wrap with tissue paper or napkins
  2. Put into a sealable plastic container
  3. Put container in freezer for two-three hours to subdue insect
  4. Secure container in a box for shipping
  5. Ship to the following address

Caterpillar Specimens

  1. As soon as possible, drop in alcohol to kill and preserve specimen.Put into a sealable plastic container with alcohol.
    **Use a film vial or medicine bottle.Seal container with tape to prevent spillage.Secure container in a box for shipping
  2. Ship to the following address

Hard to See Bugs

  1. Collect the specimens in rubbing alcohol, if possible. The sample should be collected in a screw-top vial or jar, or some sort of pill container -with label removed- which will seal.If this is not possible, clear tape or a sticky trap can be used. Then tape to clear plastic wrap or a baggie. * Please note that using tape or a sticky trap makes a proper diagnosis more difficult, and that additional specimens may be needed.Put specimens in an envelope or cardboard box with newspaper.
  2. Ship to the following address

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Most Insect Specimens

  1. Obtain a sealable container (screw-top vial or jar, or a pill container).Fill half way with isopropyl or rubbing alcohol.Put specimen(s) into the container as soon as possible and seal (with tape if necessary).** If specimens sit for an extended period of time not in alcohol, identifications can be quite
    difficult because features have a tendency to change on unpreserved specimens.Send specimen(s)using a mailing tube, padded envelope, or cardboard box with newspaper
    to keep the container from bouncing around.
  2. Ship to the following address

Landscape Plant Damaged by an Insect / Pest

      If plant damage is suspected to be from insect feeding, please send the insect pest which was
attacking/eating the plant and a section of the plant which has both damaged and undamaged areas.
If you are not sure whether or not it was an insect, it must be categorized as a PLANT DISORDER.
  1. If plant is infested with insects, cut off a portion of the area infested and wrap with newspaper.Send in an appropriately sized cardboard box.
  2. Ship to the following address
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Bottle
+
Alcohol
+
Insect (except moths and butterflies)
=
Good Sample

 
Package moths and butterflies in a box with cotton.