Hardbodied

Physcial Sample Submission of Insects with a Hard Exterior or "Shell" such as Ants, Flies, Beetles, Bees, Spiders, Centipedes, etc.Poecilus lucublandus (Carabidae)- Photo credit Suranga Basnagala

Please include a Insect/Arthropod ID Request form in a separate plastic bag to keep it dry.

 For best results, follow the steps below:

  1. Put several specimen(s) into a sealable container (screw-top vial, jar, or pill container) as soon as possible and fill container with isopropyl or rubbing alcohol so that insects are submerged. 
    • The bottle does not need to be filled to the top unless the insect(s) fill the entire container. Seal container with tape if necessary.
  2. Please do not send insects in padded envelopes as they will be crushed during transit.
  3. Use a mailing tube or small box for shipping with packing material to keep the sealed container from shifting in transit.
  4. Mail package to address on submission form.

PPDC is not a medical facility. We cannot accept samples from a person's or animal's body.