Integrated Pest Management

PEST IDENTIFICATION: INSECTS

Contributors: J.R. Baker et al., Entomology Extension Specialist, and R.K. Jones, Plant Pathology Extension Specialist

In general, adult stages are most easily differentiated, especially in winged insects. However, it is not always easy to tell if a pest that is not winged is mature or immature. Generally, if a pest has wings, it is an adult. If a pest is mating, laying eggs, or giving birth to young, it is in the adult stage.

The following keys are provided for identifying adult pests as well as immature stages. Since immature pests and wingless adults may not be easy to identify, keys to immature stages are arranged by the portion of the plant infested (blossom and leaf, stem, and root).

ADULTS	IMMATURES

Preparing Specimens for Identification

When a specimen cannot be identified, additional help is available from the Cooperative Extension Service and the NCSU Plant Disease and Insect Clinic. The following instructions are recommended when preparing a sample for identification.

Roaches, termites, bugs, beetles, flies, wasps, ants, maggots, spiders, etc. should be sent in 70 percent alcohol.

Mites, scales, aphids, and thrips should be sent alive on some of the affected foliage/stems, collected in a manner similar to plant specimens. Pests should be placed in a plastic bag when collected.

Butterflies and Moths. Dead specimens should be submitted (ethyl acetate is good to use for preparing specimens), packed lightly in tissue paper in a crush-proof box.

Caterpillars should be sent in alive on some of the host plant in a plastic bag.

Grubs should be sent in alive in a pint or two of soil enclosed in a plastic bag.

Important Notes

When in doubt, specimens should be placed in 70 percent alcohol.
Several specimens should be collected if possible.
Data submitted with insects must be complete and accurate. The following information must be provided with each specimen.
1. Date Specimen Collected. Date actually found, not date received by agent or other second party.
2. Town and County where Specimen Was Collected. Town and county listed should be the location where insect was actually found, which may not be the same as agent's or property owner's address. If not found within a town, information about the nearest town, and distance and direction from it that insect was captured, should be included.
3. Name of Collector. The name of the specific person who actually captured or collected the insect is needed. It is not necessary to list the agent or other second party as the collector.
4. Where Were the Specimens, or on What Were They Feeding when Collected? If they were on a plant, the name of the host plant is needed, i.e. azalea, rose.

Some Important Precautions

Insect specimens should never be sent in without the minimal information above. Insects should not be wrapped in tissue or cellophane and then put in envelope. Specimens should not be stuck to paper with tape.
Specimens should not be placed in an empty vial or overcrowded, as they will decay or get broken, or both. During the busy season, insects that arrive badly damaged and/or without data will be worked on last or when time permits.
Samples should never be left in the sun or a closed car for even a few minutes; "cooked" samples may be impossible to diagnose.

Further Information

Johnson, W.T. & H. H. Lyon. 1988. Insects that Feed on Trees & Shrubs. (2nd Ed.). Cornell Univ. Press, Ithaca, NY. 556 pps.

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Last Modified: 07/10/96