Insect Specimen Submission Form

Email pictures or a question

Getting to the Clinic

OMGA Mailing Instructions

How to Collect & Mail an Insect or Spider

Preserving specimens properly greatly increases the chance of getting an identification.  Immature and soft bodied specimens decay and crush easily so please use the following suggestions when submitting specimens:

COLLECTING

1. Try to not crush the specimen being submitted and if possible send multiple specimens.

2. If you are submitting a caterpillar, maggot or other immature insect, preserve the specimen in ethyl or isopropyl alcohol and, if possible, include live specimen(s) in a container with a piece of dry paper towel.   When sending a live specimen please label the exterior with the word "LIVE".

3.  Spiders can be sent dead submerged in alcohol.  Please indicate if you are only interested in knowing if the specimen is a potentially dangerous species (i.e. Hobo spider, black widow, or brown recluse) or not.

PACKING

1. If sending dead specimens place in container with a piece of paper towel soaked in rubbing alcohol or submerged in rubbing alcohol (ethyl is preferred).   If submitting several different insects/spiders please place them in separate containers each with a separate label written in pencil.

2. Pack specimens in sturdy containers to prevent crushing in transit. Use soft paper to pack live specimens in the container.

3. Identify the package with labels both outside and inside. Put the Insect ID Form in a plastic bag to prevent accidental moisture damage.

Mail To:

OSU Plant Clinic
1089 Cordley Hall
Oregon State University
Corvallis , OR 97331-2903