The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station provides insect identification services at two locations: the Insect Information Office (IIO) in the Main Laboratory - Department of Entomology and the Information and Diagnostic Office at the Valley Laboratory. These offices answer inquiries about insect and other arthropod problems for all Connecticut residents and professionals. Insect and arthropod identification is conducted by visual assessment using microscopic examination and other scientific procedures. This office also provides arthropod management advice, tick identification, and referral for tick testing. Inquiries and samples can be submitted via phone, email, mail, and in person. Thee (IIO) sample submission guidelines (PDF) has additional information regarding submitting samples.
These offices provide the following services:
- Identification of insects and arthropods
- Arthropod management advice
- Tick identification and referral for tick testing
How to Collect and Submit Samples:
- Collect fresh specimens. Send or bring in a generous amount of material, if available.
- All specimens should be submitted in crush proof containers. In addition, the submission of spiders should be in a container of
alcohol that is leak proof. Please be sure the container is well packed. If samples arrive in poor condition it may be necessary for
us to request additional specimens. Mail packages to arrive on weekdays. - Intact ticks, mosquitoes, and other blood-feeding arthropods are acceptable submissions, but we cannot accept any public
submissions of human or animal blood, mucosa, feces, or other tissues. Medical samples must be submitted to us through a
physician, veterinarian, or medical facility. - If possible, provide complete background information about the specimen. A form to accompany samples is available upon
request from this office or follow the link provided below. It is suggested that this form be completed as thoroughly as
possible to assist with diagnosis.
Insect Submission Forms:
- Main Laboratory (New Haven) submission form
- Valley Laboratory (Windsor) submission form
Inquiries and samples can be submitted via phone, email, mail, and in person.
- Phone:
- New Haven: (203) 974-8600
- Windsor: (860) 683-4977 ext. 1
- Email - Take in-focus photos of the insect using the macro feature on your camera or smartphone. Include an object for scale if possible.
- Dr. Gale Ridge - gale.ridge@ct.gov
- Rose Hiskes - rose.hiskes@ct.gov
- Katherine Dugas - katherine.dugas@ct.gov
- Mail:
- The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
Insect Information Office
123 Huntington Street
New Haven, CT 06511
- Inquiry Office
Valley Laboratory
The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
153 Cook Hill Rd., PO Box 248
Windsor, CT 06095
- The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
- In Person:
- New Haven: Jenkins-Waggoner Laboratory, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT 06511
- Windsor: 153 Cook Hill Road, Windsor, CT 06095
Visitors are welcome during office hours, Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.. Additionally, a drop-off kiosk is available in the Jenkins-Waggoner Laboratory entryway during office hours. Please fill in the form provided and leave your sample in the corresponding bin. Include your completed submission form with your sample.
For additional information about sample submission please visit this page.