A. Service Overview

The ADSC provides expert identification of agricultural pests and beneficial insects found across the Hawaiian Islands. Rapid and accurate identification is critical for protecting Hawaiʻi’s agriculture and environment from invasive species. Accurate identification aids in selecting appropriate management options. Our lab serves commercial farmers, landscapers, home gardeners, state and federal agencies. The lab offers both morphological and molecular identification services.

Farmers affected by the flooding from the Kona low storms in March and April 2026 can receive up to three free tests. Confirm you are affected by flooding when ordering services.

B. Pricing

C. How to Collect an Insect Sample

To ensure our entomologists can provide an accurate identification, please follow the guidelines for collecting and submitting your specimens. If you need more guidance, please review publication, Collecting Plant Disease and Insect Pest Samples for Problem Diagnosis .

• Capture Multiple Stages: If possible, include different life stages of the insect (such as larvae/caterpillars and adults). Also include a sample of the plant damage they are causing.
• Keep Them Whole: Do not crush the insects. We need intact specimens –including wings, legs, and antennae – to identify them properly.
• How to Preserve Your Sample:
  • Hard-bodied insects (Beetles and bees): Place them in a sturdy, crush-proof container like a plastic pill bottle, jar or small box.
  • Moths and butterflies: For moths and butterflies, place them in-between layers of tissue to protect their delicate wing scales, and place them in a small crush proof box or container.
  • Caterpillars and Grubs: Place them in a sturdy, crush-proof container like a plastic pill bottle or jar. Include a couple inches of soil and plant host plant material in the container with the sample keep at room temperature until day before sample submission, freeze sample for 24hrs prior to sample drop off.
  • Soft-bodied insects (aphids, mites and scales): Place these directly into a small leak-proof vial filled with 70% rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. This prevents them from shriveling due to dehydration and prevents decomposition. Please include as many individuals as possible in the vile.
• Living Samples: If you collected living insects you must freeze your samples for at least 24 hours in the container prior to dropping off the sample at the extension center.
• Label Everything: Label the container with the date, the location where it was found (e.g., “Kula, Maui”), and the type of plant it was found on. Also include Your name and your job control number.

D. Where to Submit Your Sample