Identifying Insects and Other Arthropods in Oregon EC 1630-E ◊ June 2009

Brad C. Hollis, Silvia I. Rondon, and James Young

Why Identification Is Important How to Get a Sample Identified Identification is important for anyone trying to Collect Sample manage insects and other arthropods. Proper iden- Be careful when collecting live insects and arthro- tification skills help to provide a valuable tool for pods; many can bite and/or sting. When collecting monitoring the invasion of new pests. When con- can be done safely, obtain several samples of the fronted with an unknown or unfamiliar creature, insect in question. Several different life stages many people will debate what they might need to (egg, larva, pupa, nymph, and adult) can occur at do. The average person will ask should I kill it or the same time; when possible, collect as many as leave it alone? As entomologists (people who study possible. Identification resources known as “keys” insects), we suggest that you find out what insect are available for most adult insects and arthropods or arthropod is present so you can safely and effi- and some immature stages (caterpillars, maggots, ciently control the pest or positively manage those grubs, and larvae). that are beneficial. Accurate identification allows All samples must be killed before being sub- for the most effective means of pest control and mitted. The shipping of live samples across borders preservation of beneficial or harmless insects and (state and federal) is illegal and can be dangerous. arthropods. Small and soft-bodied specimens (including spi- ders) should be placed in a vial with a tight-fitting Identification Services in Oregon lid containing rubbing alcohol or vinegar to kill and The Oregon State University Extension Service preserve the specimen. provides identification services for the public and Immature insects such as caterpillars and grubs agricultural sectors to help protect and manage should be placed in a container of boiling water for their resources. Entomology Extension agents 20 seconds and then allowed to cool to room tem- are trained to identify many common insects perature before being placed in rubbing alcohol or and their close relatives, spiders, ticks, mites, vinegar. This additional step is needed to preserve and centipedes, which are collectively known the color and shape of the specimens. as arthropods. An Extension agent trained in Be careful to not overfill vials; air space is nec- entomology possesses background knowledge essary for expansion during shipping. on control methods and general biology, which Moderate-to-large hard-bodied arthropods should allows the specialist to suggest information and be killed by placing them in a freezer for at least 48 resources for selection of efficient control mea- hours and then be placed in a vial or noncrushable sures for common pests. container with a piece of alcohol-saturated paper Identification services are available through the towel. Oregon State University Insect ID Clinic and also Label all samples with your name and date. through some county Extension Service offices that It is often helpful to send a sample of the affected have Master Gardener programs. plant material along with the sample. It is also often useful to take a picture of the genus, and species when possible. The identifier sample as a backup in case the physical sample is provides the scientific name and, when available, damaged or lost during shipping. Specimens that are the common name. crushed or incomplete are often difficult to identify. Identifications that can be done by entomology Extension agents or Master Gardeners are usually Complete Form completed within 24 hours of receiving the samples. Fill out an insect identification submission form Samples submitted to counties that do not have an with as much pertinent information as possible. identification specialist or that cannot be - identi The form is available in some Extension centers/ fied are usually sent to a specialist at the Insect ID offices and is obtainable online: Clinic on the Oregon State University campus in http://www.science.oregonstate.edu/bpp/ Corvallis for identification and may take a week or Plant_Clinic/Insect%20ID%20Form.pdf more to be identified. Include your name, address, phone number, Note that all material submitted for identifica- where the problem was observed, the plant, animal, tion becomes property of the identifying unit. This or structure affected, and the type/severity of dam- material is used to maintain a reference collection age observed. If possible also include when it was to help identify future submissions. first noticed, the length of time it has been pres- ent, and whether any control methods have been attempted. More Information Ship Package Brad C. Hollis Shipping materials and collection vials are avail- Biological Technician Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center able from many local Extension centers/offices. A Oregon State University full list of offices can be found here: 541-567-8321 ext. 124 http://extension.oregonstate.edu/locations.php [email protected] Vials should be wrapped in paper towels to Silvia I. Rondon prevent excess moisture from building up and be Assistant Professor placed inside a sealable (e.g., Ziploc) bag to meet Extension Entomologist Specialist U.S. postal regulations. Mail specimens in a sturdy Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center box or container that will prevent them from being Oregon State University 541-567-8321 ext 108 crushed during shipping. [email protected] Mail samples early in the week to ensure they do not risk being delayed over the weekend. James Young The U.S. post office requires that all packages Extension Entomologist/Instructor Department of Botany and Plant Pathology that contain alcohol be marked “ground only.” Oregon State University When sending samples to the Insect ID Clinic, 541-737-1501 address packages as follows: [email protected] Insect ID Clinic Acknowledgements Department of Botany and Plant Pathology We thank Jordan Eggers (plant pathologist) and Don Horneck Oregon State University (agronomist) for their critical comments on the manuscript. 1089 Cordley Hall Corvallis, OR 97331-2903 © 2009 by Oregon State University. This publication was produced and distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress http://www.science.oregonstate.edu/bpp/ of May 8 and June 30, 1914. Extension work is a coopera- insect_clinic/index.htm tive program of Oregon State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Oregon counties. Oregon State University Extension Service offers educational programs, activities, Identification Process and materials without discrimination based on age, color, dis- When a sample and/or image arrives at an identifi- ability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national cation center, the identifier reviews the information origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran’s sta- tus. Oregon State University Extension Service is an Equal provided and examines the specimen. Insects and Opportunity Employer. Any mention of trade names does not arthropods are identified for their order, family, constitute an endorsement. Published June 2009.