Insects on or in Plants

Please include a completed Insect/Arthropod ID Request form in separate plastic bag.

For best results, follow the steps below:

  1. If plant damage is suspected to be from insects or other arthropods, please include the section of the plant with the damage along with adjacent plant parts which were not damaged, for comparison.
    • If large insects are noticed, put the insect into a bottle of alcohol separately. Package the leaves and/or branches in a separate container. 
    • Caterpillars can be sent alive in a small crush proof container along with some leaves.  (Caterpillars are extremely difficult to identify if sent in alcohol as they lose color.) See Softbodied for more information on how to send caterpillars.
    • Tiny or fragile insects can be sent on the leaves or branches.  Place the entire plant/branch or leaves in a large plastic bag so that the insects don't escape.
    • If insects are suspected to be inside the plant sample, wrap the sample in plastic or newspaper and ship in a strong box.  Please indicate location of insect on the form.
  2. Pack the plant parts in a crush-proof box with packing material to prevent damage during transit.
  3. If the sample is big or too heavy to be shipped, for example part of a tree trunk, you can drop off the sample at the CFAES Wooster campus, 234 Selby Hall. Coordinate drop off with Dr. Rotondo: (330-263-3721) | rotondo.11@osu.edu,   

     

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