Specimen Approach to Insect Identification:

This is not the most accurate method for identification of insects but it is often the fastest, if you can find a photograph which is identical to the insect specimen. You will find some resources below which provide quick identification information (usually photographs or sketchs) but if you "run into a dead end" then you may want to try other methods which take longer but are often more accurate.

Caution: Use photographs or sketchs for insects found in North America only.

Web - 

Beetles, Asian Ladybugs

Biological Control Home Page, Cornell University

Dragonflies and Damselflies, Florida State

Hobo and Other Poisonous Spiders

Insects Hotlist

Insect Identification Laboratory at Virginia Tech

Insect Identification Images at Iowa State Entomology

Insect Images at Bugwatch

Insect Images at Fon's Bug World

Insect Images at Univ. of Nebraska, Entomology Dept.

Insect Images of Butterflies and Moths

Insect Images of Dragonflies and Damselflies

Mayflies (Ephemeroptera)

Orkin Pest Control

Pest Index

Books -

Go to Bookstore

CDs -

CD ROM Titles in Entomology

Colorado Extension CD ($75, non-profit orgs, current vers. plus next upgrade), Colorado State Bulletin Rm., 171 Aylesworth Hall, SW, Colorado State Univ., Ft. Collins, CO 80523, ph 303-491-6198.

Garden Problem Solver (1996), Sunset Publishing Corp.

Slides -

Gillette Entomology Slide Collection, Colorado State Univ., Dept. of Entomology, Ft. Collins, CO 80523 (303-491-7860)

Last edited: 03/07/98 02:07 PM

Disclaimer:

The help provided by the author of this site is the best scientific based information, about which he is aware, but gardening is not an exact science due to the many unpredictable elements involved so the results can not be guaranteed. E-mail feedback is therefor invited to keep the author aware of successes and failures. Also let me know if you are the author of anything that appears to be illegally incorporated in violation of your copyrights.