Identification Aids and Services
The websites listed below are recommended resources for those seeking identification assistance.
Any individual who believes they have encountered an invasive species or other quarantine significant pest is encouraged to contact their local Cooperative Extension Office for verification.
Botany (Weeds and Parasitic Plants)
USDA-ARS Systematic Botany and Mycology Laboratory: Researchers at the Systematic Botany and Mycology Laboratory study the systematics of fungi and plants important as genetic resources, biological control agents, and plant pathogens.
USDA PLANTS Database: Provides standardized information about the vascular plants, mosses, liverworts, hornworts, and lichens of the U.S. and its Territories. It includes names, plant symbols, checklists, distributional data, species abstracts, characteristics, images, crop information, automated tools, onward web links, and references.
GRIN Taxonomy for Plants: The taxonomic portion of GRIN provides the classification and nomenclature for the USDA's National Plant Germplasm System accessions and many other economic plants on a worldwide basis. Included in GRIN Taxonomy are scientific names for 18,800 genera (14,000 accepted) and 79,600 species or intraspecies (48,800 accepted) with common names, geographical distributions, literature references, and economic impacts.
SeedImages.com: Managed by Colorado State University, this database contains seed pictures and descriptions of over 1,400 species.
Entomology (Insects and Mites)
USDA-ARS Systematic Entomology Laboratory: SEL scientists conduct basic research focusing on the identification and classification of insects and mites that impact U.S. agriculture and security, such as crop pests, invasive species, insects used for biological control programs, and other species of quarantine significance.
BugGuide.Net: An online community of naturalists dedicated to learning about and sharing observations of insects, spiders, and other related creatures.
Iowa State Entomology Index of Internet Resources: Directory and search engine of insect-related resources on the Internet.
Nematology (Roundworms)
USDA-ARS Nematology Laboratory: Lab activities include providing nematode identification and related expertise to action agencies and the use of the USDA Nematode Collection to better understand phytoparasitic and related free-living nematode systematics and its relationship to target-specific nematode management.
Plant Pathology (Bacteria, Fungi, Viruses, etc.)
USDA-ARS Systematic Botany and Mycology Laboratory: Researchers at the Systematic Botany and Mycology Laboratory study the systematics of fungi and plants important as genetic resources, biological control agents, and plant pathogens.
National Plant Diagnostics Network: A collective of land-grant university plant disease and pest diagnostic facilities from across the United States focused on enhancing national agricultural security by quickly detecting introduced pests and pathogens.