Pest Identification

Most people do not recognize one insect from another and consider many insect and mite species to be harmful. If a plant has damage and there is an insect or mite close to that damage, people conclude that the insect or mite present is the causal organism. Most insects do not cause economic or aesthetic damage to woody ornamental plants. Unless the causal organism is accurately identified, we cannot be sure that the insect or mite is destructive. All too often, a beneficial insect has been sprayed because it was thought to be harmful. Once we know the correct identity of an insect or mite, we can investigate important facts regarding its life cycle in Pennsylvania. For example, we would be able to determine whether it is beneficial or harmful, whether it has chewing or piercing-sucking mouthparts, which stages are destructive, what it prefers to eat, where it lives, and the number of generations it has each year. All of this information is vital to any effective woody ornamental pest management program.

An essential step in an effective insect or mite pest management program is the correct identification of the pest in question. When in doubt, deliver or send several specimens to your local county's Penn State Cooperative Extension horticulture extension educator or to the author of this publication. Include the following collection information: (1) name, address, and telephone number of the collector, (2) name of the plant being damaged, (3) date collected, and (4) city or county where the damage occurred. Any additional information about the infestation would be helpful. Small insects should be placed in small containers filled with 70 percent rubbing alcohol. Larger specimens may be sent dry packed between tissue or other protective material. Place vials and/or dry specimens in a cardboard box or mailing tube with packing material and send them to your local county's Penn State Cooperative Extension office or the Insect Identification Laboratory, Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, 501 ASI Building, University Park, PA 16802.