Skip to main content

Competency Area 1: Integrated Pest Management (IMP)

PO 9. Outline methods for submitting plant and pest material for diagnosis and laboratory analysis.

Guidelines for sending specimens:
• Collect and send 10 or more insects, if possible, and all life stages present.
• HOUSEHOLD/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: Collect progression of symptoms and pests. 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 paper towels, and then in a plastic bag with a few holes. Place in a padded envelope/box. Send early in the week to avoid weekend delays.
• For small plants, you may want to ship the entire plant. Package it so the soil doesn't spill out -- wrap pot with soil in a plastic bag tied about the base of the stem.
• Dead, HARD-BODIED INSECTS such as beetles, wasps, flies, moths, and butterflies should be placed in layers of tissue paper and packaged in a sturdy container for shipping.
• SOFT BODIED INSECTS (Aphids, spiders, mites, grubs, and caterpillars) will break down quickly, so should be prepared and mailed as quickly as possible. It would be best to choose next day delivery if shipping these insects. To kill the insects, small insects such as aphids can be placed directly in a freezer in a bag with a bit of tissue paper to absorb moisture when they defrost. Larger ones such as grubs or caterpillars require preparation to prevent discoloration. They should be dropped into gently boiling water for about 30 seconds; then they may be wrapped in tissue paper and sent. Please indicate original color of specimen.
• Securely wrap the sample and package in a container acceptable to the post office.
• Provide complete collection data: When collected, where collected (town or city or nearest post office), and by whom.

Collection and Submission of Plant Disease Samples
When submitting samples for analysis, please keep a few things in mind:
• If the lab you are sending samples to has one, it is best to use the "Submission Form" whenever submitting samples.
• Provide as much information as possible to help ensure an accurate diagnosis of the problem.
• Make sure you include the form with your sample. You may also want to keep one copy of the form for your records. For faster response, include your fax number or email address and indicate how you would prefer to receive the results.
• The sample to be submitted should contain all parts of the plant when possible. Wrap the sample loosely in an unsealed plastic bag and package it in a sturdy box. Pack roots separate from branches, shoots, or foliage.
• Mail the sample as quickly as possible.
• It is important that you try to collect the sample prior to any pesticide applications - once pesticides have been applied it may be difficult to obtain an accurate diagnosis.
• It is helpful if the sample is taken from an area that has early symptoms of the problem. Areas that are completely dead often contain a number of secondary organisms that may hinder the detection of the primary pathogen.

The procedure for collecting samples for nematode analysis varies slightly.
Please check the appropriate web page for detailed instructions on collecting and shipping nematode samples.

How to Submit a Field Crop Sample: (See above section)
Most samples If you know you are submitting a nematode sample
- The sample to be submitted should contain all parts of the plant when possible.
- Wrap the sample in a paper bag and package it in a sturdy box.
- Try to mail the sample as quickly as possible.
- If the sample cannot be mailed immediately, keep it refrigerated or out of direct sunlight.
- It is important that you try to collect the sample prior to any pesticide applications. Once pesticides have been applied it may be difficult to obtain an accurate diagnosis.
- It is helpful if the sample is taken from an area that has early symptoms of the problem. Areas that are completely dead often contain a number of secondary organisms that may hinder the detection of the primary pathogen.		 - The best time of year for nematode analyses is during the active growing season.
- A minimum of 6 soil subsamples, approximately 1" in diameter and 4" in depth, should be collected from an area that is approximately one acre in size.
- The sub-samples should be collected randomly throughout the area.
- The subsamples should be mixed together thoroughly and about a pint of soil transferred to a plastic bag.
- Samples should be shipped as soon as possible. If the sample cannot be mailed immediately, keep it refrigerated or out of direct sunlight.

When submitting samples for analysis, please keep a few things in mind: Always fill out the "Submission Form", providing as much information on the form as possible will help to ensure an accurate diagnosis of the problem. Make sure to include the form with your smaple. You may also want to keep a copy for your own records.