What’s That “Bug”?

Have you ever wondered if that hairy caterpillar you just saw crawling in your yard has a painful sting? Or maybe you need to figure out if that’s an ant or termite you found on the windowsill. 

You may have asked one of those online photo identifiers to help you answer these questions. But did you know those online tools will incorrectly identify insects? 

One of the best ways to get help with identifying insects around your home is the Mississippi State University Extension Service.  

Your local Extension agent is always available to help you identify insects and recommend the best ways to deal with them if they are pests.

We also offer a service you may not be aware that we have. Our entomologists in the MSU Extension Insect Identification Lab can also help you identify insects. You can collect and submit specimen, which is highly preferred, or you can submit a photo.

Submitting a physical sample, or specimen, is the best way to get an accurate identification. Specimen must be packaged properly and according to the lab’s requirements. 

Why are physical samples preferred? 

First, good quality, clear photos are often hard to take when it comes to insects. While good quality photos submitted according to the lab’s requirements can sometimes help our entomologists identify insects, that is not always the case. Even with good quality photos, it can be hard to definitively identify insects through photos alone.

Second, physical samples, especially of important insects, such as new or invasive pests, can also be preserved and housed in the Mississippi Entomological Museum for use by our researchers and educators in the future.

You can submit properly packaged specimen to the lab through the mail. 

You’ll need to make sure you submit specimen according to the lab’s requirements. For more information about submitting specimen, visit the MSU Extension Insect Identification web page.