insect identification service

**Update to our identification service - April 2020**

With the current COVID-19 pandemic, please don't send in samples without contacting us first. We may be able to provide you with identification assistance via images instead.

Our insect identification service is a fast and reliable way of positively identifying beneficial and pest insects.

If you are a grower or adviser in Victoria or NSW, and you are working with broadacre crops or pastures, we can assist you with an insect (or other invertebrate) identification.

In return for our service, we ask that you email us detailing the context of the insect in question.   

Live, intact insects are easiest to identify, so this is the preferred method of receiving samples.

How to send in live samples:

1. Place fresh specimens in a non-crushable plastic container. Not all plastics are equally strong. We have found that plastic takeaway containers are not ideal as they often break in the mail.
2. Send multiple individuals. A sample of 10 specimens will do for larger insects such as caterpillars and beetles. For smaller insects such as mites and aphids, > 30 individuals can be sent by harvesting and sending us the infested foliage.
3. Place a tissue or piece of paper towel in the container to absorb excess moisture.
4. Send by express post between Monday-Wednesday.
5. Include some of the insect’s host plant as food for the journey.

Please don’t send insects in plastic takeaway containers - they often break during transit!

How to send in small insects (e.g. aphids) correctly.

 

Address to:

cesar pty ltd

Insect ID service  

Ground floor, 293 Royal Parade

Parkville, VIC 3052

 

Don’ts for sending in live samples:

Don’t puncture the container with air holes.

Don’t place the insects directly in plastic bag without a container – they will get crushed

Don’t send samples at the end of the week or before a public holiday period

Don’t send suspected exotic pests

Don’t forget to email us with details of the insect context

 

Any questions?

Contact us

+61 3 9349 4723

pestfacts@cesaraustralia.com