INSECT DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY

Cornell University, Dept. of Entomology,
2144 Comstock Hall, Ithaca NY 14853-2601

Diagnostician: Jason J. Dombroskie, Ph.D.

Do you have an insect problem, and want to know what it is, or more about it ?  At Cornell's Department of Entomology the Insect Diagnostic Lab can help identify insects and related arthropods, and provide management suggestions if needed.

IDL FACTSHEETS

Do you already know what you have, or want more information?  We have a number of factsheets available for downloading.  Please feel free to take a look for descriptions and control recommendations. Click on this link:

       Insect Diagnostic Lab Factsheets List

For Identifications at the Diagnostic Lab (IDL):

If you have an insect or related organism that you want to send in for identification:
please download and print a Diagnostic Lab Information Sheet by clicking on this link: 
   IDL Information Sheet

If you do not have a printer or have a problem with the download, simply include a sheet of paper when you send in the sample, with: your name, mailing address with zipcode, (and if different,  where the sample was collected, with zipcode), an email address (if available), phone number, the date sample was collected, and where (indoors, outside, or on what kind of plant) with any other details (such as -- eating holes in houseplant leaves; many found on kitchen floor for past month; etc.)

• Send a check or money order for $25.00 payable to "Cornell University", along with the sample and the Information sheet, to the Shipping address given below.
• If you are a Cornell Cooperative Extension Agent submitting a sample, please use this alternate CCE IDL Information Sheet.  Click on this link: CCE Form
  
• DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHS -- clear close-up photos can be sent by email to DiagnosticLab@frontier.com  NOTE: The regular $25 Diagnostic fee still applies: please mail in the payment separately to the Shipping address given below. 
          If you mail in a specimen and you also have a good photo, the single fee covers both, and by emailing it in advance we may be able to give you preliminary information before the specimen arrives at the Lab. 
  

Payment:

Include payment in the package: 

a check or money order for $25.00, written out to "Cornell University."
If emailing a photo but not sending in a sample, please mail payment directly to the address below.

SHIPPING --  Send to:

Insect Diagnostic Laboratory
Cornell University
Dept. of Entomology
2144 Comstock Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853-2601

Include payment, the Information Sheet, and the specimens (in a crush-proof container). Put these with sufficient padding to prevent damage, in a larger crush-proof box or envelope with padding.    

If you notify DiagnosticLab@frontier.com by email when you send a sample, then we will know to expect your sample and we'll have your correct email address for replying to you with the results.  Sample identifications are usually completed within 1 to 3 days of receipt.  

For people in the Ithaca NY area: samples can be dropped off in person at Cornell, on the 2nd floor of Comstock Hall, Room 2144 (CU Insect Collection).

How to prepare specimens for shipment

• Put specimen(s) inside a small crush-proof container, then into a sturdy box or strong envelope with padding or packing material.  Do not use regular flat letter envelopes, as the sample will be damaged going through the postage machines.
  
• Collect and send 1 or more whole individuals.  Crushed specimens can sometimes be identified, but often only to insect family, not the species.  If the insects are abundant, send 5 to 10 of the same kind of insect, if possible.  If more than one life stage is found (adults and larvae), send both.
• If insects are alive, please put in a container and place in the freezer overnight to kill them before shipping.
• TINY SPECIMENS: if possible, collect in a small container rather than on sticky tape or a sticky trap.  If tape or sticky trap was used, then please attach it to another surface, sticky side down: attach loosely to a white index card or piece of white paper, or a piece of waxed paper.  Please do NOT fold sticky traps with the sticky sides together, and do not put specimens between 2 pieces of tape.
• Dead, HARD-BODIED INSECTS such as beetles, wasps, flies, moths, and butterflies should be placed in layers of tissue paper and packaged in a small crush-proof container.
• SOFT BODIED INSECTS AND OTHERS (Aphids, spiders, mites, grubs, and caterpillars) will break down quickly, so these should be prepared and mailed as quickly as possible, after killing them by freezing overnight with a bit of tissue or paper towel in the container to absorb moisture when they thaw.
  
• LARGE SOFT BODIED INSECTS such as grubs or caterpillars require preparation to prevent discoloration: drop into gently boiling water for about 30 seconds, then wrap in tissue paper and put into a small crush-proof container. Please indicate original color of specimen on the Information Sheet.
• PLANT PESTS: Collect a progression of symptoms and pests, if available. Include or identify the plant material on which the insects were found -- this is useful and sometimes necessary for pest identification. For plant material -- collect a fresh sample, wrap it in several paper towels, and then in a plastic bag with a few holes. For small plants, you may want to ship the entire plant (this will NOT be returned): put a plastic bag over the pot and wrap the open end tightly around the base of the stem, so soil will not scatter inside the package.

How to fill out the Information Sheet:

Provide complete collection data on the Information sheet or a piece of paper: when collected, where, and by whom, with additional location information if the sample was from someplace other than the address given for the contact person.  Please include an email address if possible, for receiving the diagnosis.

HOUSEHOLD or STRUCTURAL PESTS: Describe the problem: where found, in what room, approximately how many, extent and type of damage or concern, and history of past infestation.

PLANT PESTS: Note the kind of plant, what parts were infested or showed symptoms (leaves, flowers, stems, roots), how many plants are affected, and whether grown as a houseplant, garden plant, nursery, field crop, or other.

Other Contacts:

A program of Cornell Cooperative Extension in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University.

This page most recently updated:  April 5, 2012