Eric R. Day

Douglas G. Pfeiffer

Ingrid M. Schultz

Department of Entomology

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Virginia Cooperative Extension

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

 

A total of 1378 requests were received in 2006. This report summarizes the activity of the Insect Identification Laboratory at Virginia Tech for 2006. The laboratory is located in 205 Price Hall. It is managed by Eric Day, Lab Manager, and Doug Pfeiffer, Extension Entomologist, Department of Entomology. Ingrid Marie Schultz and Ryan Mays also worked in the Lab in 2006.

Of the samples received in 2006, 96% of the samples, 1318 out of 1378, requested control recommendations.

Also from the samples received in 2006, 19% of the samples, 266 out of 1378, were forwarded from the Plant Disease Clinic, managed by Mary Ann Hansen and Elizabeth Bush. The remaining 81% were sent directly.

Specimens are identified and recorded in the lab, then if necessary sent for control recommendations and additional comments from Extension Entomologists who handle particular commodity groups. All specimen data are entered into the Insect I.D. Lab computer data base on the Virginia Tech mainframe computer. The data base greatly facilitates sorting and storage of the information. Some of the records were sent via microcomputer to the Cooperative National Plant Pest Survey and Detection Program (USDA, APHIS, PPQ). We at Virginia Tech acknowledge support provided by this program.

Whenever possible insects are identified to the species level. Common names are used where possible because of their wide recognition. To facilitate mailing insects and insect damaged plant specimens to the lab, local offices of Virginia Cooperative Extension are provided with Insect Identification and Diagnosis Request forms (form 444-113), alcohol vials, and mailing tubes. Specimens also may be brought directly to the lab or mailed to:

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Identifications and control recommendations covering most commodities performed by:

Mr. Eric R. Day

Manager, Insect Identification Laboratory

Timely and valuable identifications and/or control recommendations were also provided by:

Dr. Tom Kuhar	Assistant Professor of Entomology	Vegetable Pests
Dr. Richard D. Fell	Professor of Entomology	Apiculture and Stinging Insects
Dr. Dini Miller	Assistant Professor of Entomology	Structural and Household Insects
Dr. Ames Herbert	Associate Professor of Entomology	Soybeans, Small grains, Peanuts, and cotton
Mr. Steve Hiner	Technical Support Staff	Aquatic Insects and Invertebrates
Dr. Michael Kosztarab	Emeriti Professor of Entomology	Scale Insects
Dr. Threresa Dellinger	Post-Doctoral Staff	Entomology
Dr. Douglas G. Pfeiffer	Professor of Entomology	Fruit and Nuts
Dr. Scott Salom	Associate Professor of Entomology	Forest and Conifer
Dr. Peter Schultz	Station Director, Hampton Roads	Ornamentals
Dr. Paul J. Semtner	Professor of Entomology	Tobacco
Dr. J. Reese Voshell	Professor of Entomology	Aquatic Insects
Dr. Roger Youngman	Associate Professor of Entomology	Corn, Small grains, and Livestock

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Number of Specimens Identified
Year	Identifications for Extension Agents and the Public	Identifications from Exotic Pest Surveys, Numbers of Traps Examined	Specimens sent to the Systematic Entomology Laboratory,USDA at Beltsville, Md. *
1967	318	A	a
1968	984	A	a
1969	1104	A	a
1970	1245	A	a
1971	1276	A	100b
1972	970	A	516
1973	1124	A	184
1974	1264	A	316
1975	1430	A	160
1976	1437	A	223
1977	1365	A	282
1978	1351	A	89
1979	1770	A	120
1980	1527	A	23
1981	2028	A	89
1982	2004	A	100
1983	1815	A	36
1984	1745	A	45
1985	1730	A	20
1986	1537	62	16
1987	1731	0	32
1988	1719	69	15
1989	1877	145	10
1990	1629	120	37
1991	1874	120	23
1992	1516	80	13
1993	1642c	160	30
1994	1548	77	17
1995	1764	0	32
1996	1376	0	6
1997	1435	0	4
1998	1595	0	6
1999	1510	0	7
2000	1751	0	7
2001	1609	0	11
2002	1569	0	11
2003	1035	0	4
2004	1262	0	10
2005	1390	0	9
2006	1378	195	1
TOTAL	59234	1028	2604

a Service not previously provided; b Estimated; c Includes requested Harmonia axyridis samples; * Includes specimens sent to other taxonomists at other institutions

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Photo of Pryeria sinica by Eric Day 2003

November 19, 2007