Location: Systematic Entomology Laboratory
Project Number: 8042-22000-317-019-I
Project Type: Interagency Reimbursable Agreement
Start Date: Oct 1, 2022
End Date: Sep 30, 2023
Objective:
Insects and mites are routinely intercepted in baggage/commodities at US ports of entry and are potentially invasive or pestiferous. Our objective as national taxonomic experts, is to provide final, authoritative identifications and associated information of intercepted insects and mites to APHIS/Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) in support of quarantine activities.
Approach:
ARS scientists use the U.S. National Collections, literature collections, and experience to identify specimens submitted by APHIS port identifiers. Methods include specimen preparation, use of compound and dissecting microscopes, digital images, illustrations, and collection curation techniques. Specimens are submitted via both express mail and via the internet (digital images). Specimen identifications are entered into ARM (Agricultural Risk Management system) along with any relevant biological information to APHIS headquarters in Riverdale, Maryland, where appropriate reference specimens are kept for incorporation into the U.S. National Collections.
