INSECT DIAGNOSTICS +
BIODIVERSITY CAPACITY BUILDING

Papua New Guinea
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COLLECTING INSECTS
PRESERVING INSECTS
CURATING COLLECTIONS
TAXONOMIC PRINCIPLES
IDENTIFICATION KEYS
DIAGNOSIS OF ORDERS
FACT SHEETS
GLOSSARY
OTHER RESOURCES
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Resources:

Other Insect Resources on the Web:

Practical Resources for Entomology Workers

Photographing insects for identification purposes

The aim of photographing insects for diagnostic purposes is to obtain an image that is in focus and contains enough detail for someone to be able to determine the identity of the specimen.

With new camera and software technology it is becoming easier for entomology workers to efficiently obtain fully focused diagnostic shots with attached scale bars, through microscope camera systems, as in the set of images on the following page.

Basic cameras and mobile phone cameras can also be used to take photos, especially of larger specimens or of plant damage that could also assist in a diagnosis of the problem. These cameras can also take photographs down microscope eyepieces (some practise required to steady and position the camera).

The main points to remember for diagnostic photos are:

  • Lighting - Decent lighting can make the difference between a good and bad photo. Outside daylight or beside a bright window can usually give enough light without the need for flash, otherwise use the flash. If sunny, make sure the light is behind you. In the field, try to get the species into a better lit area. You may need to have someone holding the specimen in position with their finger while the camera is set up.
  • Focus - Try to get an image that is as sharply in focus as possible rather than trying to get too close to the specimen, in particular with digital camera or mobile phone.
  • Scale - put a ruler or some other measure like a coin in your photo.
  • Image size - Save the images for emailing as basic quality jpegs, around 100kB each, which can be attached easily to an email for sending to someone to get help.

Remember to always keep your original high resolution photographs on file and copy and rename edited versions.

Digital imaging systems for insect photography

Digital imaging is an increasingly important aspect of collections management and curation with the push to get collections accessible online. As such, many museum and university entomology collections work with purpose built digital imaging systems designed for the challenges of insect photography. These are either microsystems - with a camera setup through a microscope - or macro systems - with a camera and photographic macro lens. There are five main components to these systems:

  • Camera - a microscope camera or digital SLR camera body.
  • Magnification - through microscope or photographic SLR macro lens.
  • Moveable stage - microscope focussing stage or SLR system mounted on stand with a rail, to allow a stack of photos of the subject to be taken.
  • Lighting - microscope lighting or photographic flash lighting e.g. speed light flashes.
  • Computer - image capture and processing the stack of photos to create a single image with focus stacking software (e.g. Zerene Stacker, Helicon Focus).

At high magnification depth of field (the amount of the object in focus) is very small. These diagnostic photos of a small weevil (Order Coleoptera) were taken using a microscope camera imaging system where a series of photographs are taken focusing through the full range of the specimen (called a 'stack'), by movement of the microscopes state, and then combined into a fully focused image using software. This technique is sometimes also referred to as 'image stacking' or 'focus stacking'. The resulting images:

Note: a series photographs taken of this beetle in different orientations (clockwise from top

left: dorsal, anterior, ventral and lateral) to show all characters of the specimen.

Editing and resizing photos

Useful editing functions which can enhance an image are the crop, sharpen and rotate tools in most basic image editing software (see details of free downloadable software at the end of this section).

Tablet and smartphones often resize images or give an option to resize an image when attaching a photo taken on the device to a text message or email. Where tablets and smartphones have internet access you can take photos and then email to a recipient direct by simply attaching the photo to an email or text message.

Cropping a photo may allow you to send a more easily visible - but still small in file size - photo through the internet. Although, particular lenses and an SLR camera are needed to get very high quality close-up insect photos in most cases, this equipment is not required for getting a satisfactory photo for general diagnostic purposes as in the example on the following page. Take photos at the highest quality possible on your camera at a distance where the subject is in focus. You can then zoom in and crop an image using editing software on the computer to view the subject more clearly.



Photo of a weevil (1-1.5cm) taken with a smartphone camera at closest focusable distance to the beetle. This high quality original photo (2.5MB with this 8 megapixel camera) gives finer detail and allows one to zoom in while maintaining adequate image resolution to see the specimen more clearly…see below.

Close up of the weevil from the photo above, cropped and then saved as a low resolution JPEG for email: 45KB. Note: If you do not have computer editing software then send a slightly higher quality version of the original photo if possible which will allow the recipient to zoom in and see the specimen more clearly.

Free image editing software tools

Free software tools available online for editing and resizing images, which can be downloaded from links on the given websites below:

  • Picasa - image organiser and viewer with basic editing - primarily image file management with some editing and resizing options. Functions include: cropping, colour enhancement, image rotation, renaming and batch editing and renaming of files, reducing file size and saving for email or web upload.
  • ImageJ - powerful, advanced image editing, processing and analysis - primarily for processing and analysis of images in particular, but not limited to, images taken through a microscope. High level functions include being able to assemble stacks of multiple single plane images to create a fully focussed image of an object. Image editing functions include rotate, crop, brightness and contrast enhancement, and saving files as smaller jpegs for email, sharpening, removing dust and scratches (noise), and adding text and lines to annotate an image. Analysis functions include: image measurement (incl. calibration) and adding scale bars.

For more information on ImageJ see 'Features' and 'Documentation', which has a PDF manual and further PDF and Powerpoint guides under the 'Tutorials and Examples' link, egg. Image J Basics.pdf.

Online resources for insect imaging

Compound Eye

Compound Eye is a Scientific American science photography blog, with various articles about insect photography by an entomologist and professional insect photographer.

This article show's clearly the effect of aperture selection on depth of field in photography.

This article details how to build a digital insect imaging system for museum standard collection imaging, using an SLR camera, macro lens, flashes and a movable stand and rail for focus stacking.

Guidance

Photographing specimens in natural history collections:
An Atlas of Living Australia (ALA) publication outlining imaging systems and processes in three entomological collections around Australia

Focus stacking
Cognysis: Focus stacking how to guide - Cognysis manufactures a rail for focus stacking with a digital SLR camera

Focus stacking software
Zerene Stacker
Helicon Focus

Microscope care, setup and eyepiece calibration

Microscopes need to be cared for, to ensure their longevity of use, especially in the tropics. Microscopes need to be setup correctly for use, to avoid back, neck or eye strain, or fatigue. During prolonged microscope use, it is important to take regular breaks to rest the body and eyes. The user should relax, move around, stretch, rest the eyes and focus their eyes on distant objects.

Microscope care

Cover microscopes with dust covers when not in use. Microscopes should be kept in a temperature and humidity controlled (i.e. air-conditioned) environment where possible, especially in humid tropical climates. For field use or storage outside air-conditions rooms, microscopes should be protected in sealed cases with a quantity of silica gel which is checked and changed regularly as needed as indicated by a change in colour.

Eye pieces and lenses should only be cleaned very carefully so as not to scratch or damage the glass. First blow away any dust particles and then gently clean with lens tissue or a clean soft cloth. Absolute ethanol may be used as a cleaning fluid if required.

Ergonomic setup

The microscope should be placed at the front of the desk or workbench so that the arms and shoulders are not stretching forwards, and at the right height so that back and neck are as straight as possible and relaxed. The eyepieces should be positioned so that the head is neither tucked down with bent neck nor stretched upwards. To see through the eyepieces the upper body should be kept straight by bending forward from the lower back. During prolonged use remember to have a break - relax, change position or get up, focus on distant objects.

Lighting

To protect the eyes, ensure electronic light sources are not used at too high an intensity (no greater than 75% is a good guide). A transmitted light base should be used only at low to medium intensity. Before turning lights on check that the light intensity dials are turned right down. Always turn light source dials down before switching off. This will preserve the life of the lights. Small battery powered LED light sources or LED desk lights are easily available and make good substitutes for expensive electronic lighting.

Eyepiece calibration

The eyepieces on a microscope should be calibrated before commencing work, especially if the microscope is shared. But even single users are likely to have slightly different eyes so eyepieces need to be adjusted so that each eye sees the object in focus.

One eyepiece on a microscope will be adjustable (or focusable) and this will have ruler-like graduated markings on the dial around its edges.

To calibrate the eyepieces follow these steps:

  • Ensure that the eye pieces are the correct distance apart for your eyes by looking at the white base or a sheet of paper. The view should be one circular disc of light without any shadows.
  • Identify the fixed eyepiece without graduated markings. With one eye looking through the fixed eyepiece and the other eye closed or covered, focus sharply on the subject using the focussing dial of the microscope.
  • Close or cover the eye using the fixed eyepiece and use the other eye to look through the adjustable eyepiece.
  • Make this eye sharply focus on the object using adjustable eyepiece focus. Check that this is now in focus with both eyes. Note the mark on the graduation. This is the mark appropriate for your eyes.

Contacting specialists for further assistance

If specimens are unable to be identified by a collector and further assistance is required from a specialist entomologist, then either specimens or photographs could be sent on for assistance. First, contact needs to be established to check that the intended recipient will be able to accept the sample and that they will be the right person to help you out. Specialists will often be based in other countries too.

It is advisable to make contact with the National Agricultural Quarantine Inspection Authority (NAQIA) as a first port of call, as their contacts with both Australian and New Zealand Quarantine agencies may help to find an entomologist who can assist.

Sending specimens

When sending specimens to a specialist for identification, care must be taken to prevent damage to the specimens in transit, which is generally by post.

Note that you should only ever send DEAD specimens.

Specimens always need to be packed into a box or parcel and then placed inside a larger sturdy postage box filled with a light packing material such as styrofoam, bubble wrap, shredded paper or something else similar that is available (NB not organic material as this will be rejected by quarantine authorities). It is important that the specimens are secured from moving within the inner box or parcel and then that the packaging material is filled tight around the specimen box so that it is secure and will not move at all inside the postage box in transit.

Pinned insects, should be packed into a sturdy box with foam or cork glued to the base. Pins should be pressed firmly into the base and then covered so that either the lid of the box or an insulating layer of material, such as cardboard, will hold the pins down and prevent them from dislodging in transit.

Unpinned insects (dry or ethanol preserved), can be sent in polythene [i.e. not brittle plastic or glass] vials. Place the specimens at the bottom of the vial and then fill the remainder of the vial with tissue or cotton wool and then secure a lid. In the case of ethanol preserved specimens the tissue can be dampened with ethanol before the vial is sealed. For sending any ethanol preserved specimens, it is important that they are placed in a well-sealed, leak proof secondary container, which can just be a larger plastic vial with a leak proof seal. Dry vials can simply be wrapped in a package.

Note that only very small amounts of ethanol (in excepted quantities) can be sent through the post and by airmail, and only as long as the parcel is packed and labelled according to Dangerous Goods transportation regulations. Packing requires secondary containment of the specimen vials containing ethanol and surrounding absorbent material.

Labelling specimens and parcels clearly is very important and considerations to check before sending are as follows:

  • Make sure specimens are clearly labelled.
  • Ensure packages are clearly labelled with delivery address and contact details for both sender and receiver.
  • Add large 'fragile' labelling to the outside of the parcel by either writing or affixing a label (preferably in red) stating 'FRAGILE' and/or 'HANDLE WITH CARE' .
  • When sending specimens internationally, ensure that any required documentation is with the parcel and clearly specify the nature of the contents in customs forms, for the description of contents, stating "dead preserved insect specimens for scientific study" and "of no commercial value).


Vial of specimens in ethanol sent via post for identification - most of the ethanol was drained, vial lid taped, then vial wrapped in absorbent and protective material for posting.
Note: Specimens are well labelled with all collecting information.


Customs Declaration Form example stating contents clearly: "Dead, dried insect specimens for scientific research. No commercial value"
Note: In Australia we always have to include a nominal value (at least $1) on the customs declaration


Fragile packaging labels on posted insect specimens.
Note: You don't need special labels, just write these statements on your package in large visible lettering.

Entomological suppliers

  • Australian Entomological Supplies
    Mail order entomological supplies specialists providing books and equipment for both the professional and amateur entomologist.
    592 Coolamon Scenic Dr, Coorabell NSW 2479, Australia
    Ph. +61 2 6684 7650 Fax. +61 2 6684 7188
    Contact.

  • Bioquip
    Equipment, supplies and books for entomology and related sciences
    2321 Gladwick Street, Rancho Dominguez, CA 90220, USA
    Ph. +1 310 667 8800 Fax. +1 310 667 8808
    Email. bqinfo@bioquip.com

  • Watkins & Doncaster
    Mail order entomological supplies specialists providing books and equipment for both the professional and amateur entomologist.
    PO Box 114, Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 6BS, UK
    Ph. +44 (0)333 800 3133 or +44 (0)1568 750657 Fax. +44 (0)1568 750409
    Contact
Insect Resources on the Web

The following webpages are a range of comprehensive resources available online for insect identification and pest diagnostics purposes. Discover Life and PestNet are partners in delivering these workshops and their online resources each cover one of these aspects.

  • PestNet

    What is PestNet?

    PestNet is an email network that helps people worldwide obtain rapid advice and information on crop protection, including the identification and management of plant pests. It started as a service for the Pacific in 2000, rapidly expanded to South East Asia, set up a separate service for the Caribbean in 2003, and now welcomes anyone interested in crop protection anywhere in the world as long as they have a computer and email. It's free to members.

    PestNet also gives out daily alerts as these come to hand over the Internet.

    Many of the email discussions are summarised under four headings: crops; pests; non-pests and unidentified. The database that has been developed can be accessed by clicking on the large button in the middle of the website. There is a search engine to help you find the information you need.

    Why is there a need for PestNet?

    Plant pests - insects, pathogens and weeds - are always present, damaging crops grown for home consumption, domestic markets or for export. New pests can spread from country to country and threaten agricultural production and biodiversity.

    If growers and plant health professionals in the region are to manage pest problems and protect their rural industries, they need access to specialist scientific and technical advice on the identification and management of plant pests. And they need it quickly and cheaply. PestNet, with hundreds of members worldwide, can help them.

    Who's it for?

    PestNet has members from government and non-government organisations, universities, and the private sector, as well as farmers and students. Any organisation, group or individual can join. All they need is access to email, a question to ask, information to give, or just an interest in plant protection and being part of a worldwide network.

    Topics

    Topics include pest identifications from digital images, pest outbreak alerts, pest management (biological, cultural, and chemical), and quarantine interceptions.

    PestNet also contains practical information on how to sample, label and send specimens to experts for further identification (http://www.pestnet.org/HowtoSendSpecimens.aspx) as well as tips regarding sending messages and attaching photos to messages to obtain further help to identify a pest or disease: http://www.pestnet.org/HowtoSendMessages.aspx

    How to Join PestNet

    Send an email addressed to PestNet-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Please include the following:

    1. Your name;
    2. Who you work for; and
    3. Your country.

    PestNet Factsheets and Resources

    PestNet has produced a series of factsheets to enable diagnosis and management of agricultural pests and diseases, specifically to assist farmers and gardeners in the Pacific.

    These factsheets are available through the PestNet website and have now also been synthesised into a portable and updateable smartphone and tablet app called Pacific Pests and Pathogens (see information about the app on page 176).

    These detailed factsheets have also been summarised into small card sized mini factsheets with a quick summary of the important information for a particular pest or disease.

    The factsheets and mini-factsheets can be viewed and downloaded here.

  • Discover Life

    Guide to insect orders with information and an illustrated taxonomic key to insect orders, based on the USA fauna

  • CSIRO - Insects and their Allies

    Invertebrate and insect keys to order, based on the Australian fauna, in simple format with diagrams, with good summary pages for all insect orders which includes basic diagnostic characters to help with identification. Navigate by the menu on the left side of the page.

  • What Bug Is That? - The Guide to Australian Insect Families

    • Lucid key to insect order for adult and holometabolous larvae and within order keys for many groups to family level, for Australian insects. Also contains links to other identification tools on the web for specific groups not hosted on this site, e.g. scale insects

    Order page example - Diptera:

  • Australian Faunal Directory - AFD

    Australian Government online catalogue of Australian fauna. Although strictly for the Australian fauna, there are useful introductions to the different insect orders and most insect families found in PNG, covering basic literature on biology, ecology, taxonomy & systematics. On the home page (below) are links to search by taxonomic or common names, or to browse the faunal checklist.

    • What is a zoological catalogue?

    A zoological catalogue is a database of fauna which contains taxonomic and biological knowledge of that fauna. Catalogues are generally compiled for a group or groups of fauna and are organised hierarchically according to taxonomic classification. The Zoological Catalogue of Australia Series (CSIRO Publishing) (accessible in the AFD online database above) contains the names of all Australian animal species. Information provided for each species includes: synonymy (previous names for that species), literature citations, depository location (insect collection) of the type material (specimens studied to describe that species), the type locality (location where the type specimen(s) were collected), geographical distribution and ecological descriptors for the species (e.g. habitat, feeding preferences, host plants if known), and important reference papers relating to that species on various aspects, including biology.

    Who can benefit from the information in catalogues?

    The nomenclature, taxonomy and biological information about species contained in catalogues are an essential baseline reference for taxonomists, zoogeographers, fauna survey and management authorities, ecologists, environmental consultants, agricultural authorities, quarantine authorities, public health and veterinary authorities.

  • LUCID Keys

    Lucid is a software platform that produces interactive computer based keys which can be served on the web. Lucid keys are now also becoming available in "App" format, downloadable to smartphones and tablets. An advantage of these keys is the use of images and photographs throughout to illustrate characters.

    Many Lucid keys are available on the web and can be searched on the Lucid Key Server

  • BugGuide.Net

    An encyclopaedia / catalogue like resource of taxonomic information and photos. Although the site is restricted to species from the US and Canada it has great overall information for orders down to families, tribes and even genera, that still relate to the rest of the world. Information is arranged taxonomically and includes diagnostic features of the groups, many images (although note these are North American taxa) and the taxonomy classification framework for the groups.

    Homepage:

    Order page example - Hymenoptera:

  • PaDIL

    Australian government funded site primarily for biosecurity purposes to identify invasive species. The site contains high quality images and diagnostic information to identify species for both biosecurity and also biodiversity purposes. PaDIL is linked with biosecurity databases in other countries such as New Zealand and Thailand. There is also a function on each species page to create a downloadable PDF. A sample species page:

  • ID Tools - USDA

    Compilation of all web-based identification tools, for pests and diseases, created or funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Identification Technology Program (ITP). Some cover areas outside the USA. Search menus allow searching by pest or crop and include both websites and apps.

    Most of the keys are web based Lucid format keys. Search results for beetles, include keys to genera within a number of groups of economic importance, such as bark beetles and ambrosia beetles:

  • CABI - Plantwise Knowledge Bank

    Plantwise is a global knowledge bank to help combat plant health problems, worldwide. It provides country specific information (set your country location) and then filters information relevant to your selected country including news and pest alerts.

    The Knowledge Bank allows you to either browse pest lists, search for factsheets on a particular pest, or identify a pest problem using the diagnostic tool searching by crop and the part of the plant affected.

  • PNG country page

    An example search using the diagnostic search tool - IDENTIFY A PEST PROBLEM - for "taro" and "root" yields 13 possible pest or disease problems that farmers may have with taro in PNG (from the Plantwise database):

Other Insect Resources on the Web:

This bibliography will be developed into the future, however below are a selection of useful references relating to all subject areas covered in the workshop, from entomology in general, through to specific identification guides and online information for the insect fauna of Papua New Guinea.

Aquatic insect identification

  • Australian Aquatic Invertebrates - Lucid web keys to families of Australian aquatic insect larvae in orders - Trichoptera, Diptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Megaloptera, Mecoptera, Neuroptera; and aquatic adults in the orders -Hemiptera and Coleoptera.

  • Identification and ecology of Australian Freshwater Invertebrates - A comprehensive website for the identification of aquatic invertebrates. Includes insect order and family keys and information and images of all orders and families of freshwater insects. This is similar to the site above, however the keys are built into the website and in a dichotomous key format as opposed to the Lucid matrix format of the keys in the link above. Also has comprehensive guides on how to use the site and the keys and basics of how to identify aquatic invertebrates, including excellent terminology images, information about common taxonomic errors and a large glossary. Explore.

General entomology

  • Royal Entomological Society - Useful resource site for entomological information, but focussed on UK.

  • Biodiversity Heritage - Online library of early (generally pre 1950) publications worldwide.

  • Purdue University - Department of Entomology - Large database of publications through "Extension" resources link. Covers all topics in entomology, including insect pests and agriculture, and insects in the house and garden.

  • North Carolina State University - General Entomology - Online entomology course, with course materials and an additional resources library including Quick ID tools for orders and major families with key characters and photographs. Very comprehensive introduction to insect biology and taxonomy.

Insect glossaries

Insects in Papua New Guinea

  • The New Guinea Binatang Research Center (NGBRC) - located in Madang, their website is regularly updated and contains information on current research and training programs for PNG entomologists and other biologists at the centre, as well as links to databases for New Guinea flora and insects. The center was established and is directed by Vojtech Novotny (Institute of Entomology, Czech Academy of Sciences) and specialises in tropical rainforest biodiversity research through large international collaborative research projects and is a research and training centre for both local and international students.

  • The Papua Insects Foundation - The insects of Papua Indonesia, taxonomic and faunistic overviews on the insect species living in Papua and West-Papua (Indonesian New Guinea)

  • The insects of Papua Indonesia - Online resources include, calatogs of native insects for West Papua by order and includes the following orders: Dermaptera, Orthoptera, Odonata, Phasmatodea, Mantodea, Psocoptera, Hemiptera, Neuroptera, Coleoptera, Trichoptera, Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, and Diptera. A particularly thorough reference for Lepidoptera, and also substantial entries and images of identified Odondata, and Coleoptera. The order pages include further references. The website also includes details of publications relating to (largely the taxonomy of) Papuan insects, listings of worldwide collections that contain Papuan insects, and contact information for contributing specialists.

  • Pacific Insects and Pacific Insects Monographs - published by the Bishop Museum these journals contain significant taxonomic works relating to the Papuan insect fauna and many volumes are now available online.

  • Key To The Forest Insect Pests Of PNG - more like a checklist of pests, catalogued under the tree species. Some useful photos showing damage caused by insects on trees and simple pest information pages.

Aquatic Insects in Papua New Guinea

  • Aquatic insects of a lowland rainforest in Papua New Guinea - assemblage structure in relation to habitat type - an unpublished manuscript (by Jan Klecka) from a freshwater insect survey undertaken in Wanang Conservation Area, Madang, through the New Guinea Binatang Research Center. Differing aquatic habitats and structural zones within these habitats were sampled and species / morphospecies lists compiled.

  • Freshwater biotas of New Guinea and nearby islands Analysis of endemism, richness, and threats Compilation and synthesis of 10 years survey work of fish and invertebrates of New Guinea and neighbouring islands and provides an overview of biotic regions and lists of endemic taxa that define these regions, including insects in the orders Coleoptera, Heteroptera and Odonata. The report includes extensive taxonomic reference for aquatic insects in New Guinea (Polhemus et al. 2004).

  • Photos of freshwater invertebrates from Papua New Guinea - very good photos taken during surveys of waterways in West New Britain and Oro Province (date unknown) and hosted by Landcare Research, New Zealand. Images include adults and larvae of aquatic insects including dragonflies, damselflies, caddisflies, mayflies, flies, beetles and bugs.

Insect pest guides

These are a combination of resources for identification of both insect pests and beneficials developed for primary industries in Australia by the Queensland (DAFF) and New South Wales Governments (DPI). The sites contain images and factsheets of pests as well as many links to online resources for management of pests in agriculture.

  • Insect pests in Horticulture and Field crops - New DPI

  • A-Z insect pest list - for northern NSW and QLD by DAFF QLD

  • A-Z list of predators, parasites and pathogens - for northern NSW and QLD by DAFF QLD

  • The Beatsheet - Insect pest management for Australia's northern region, incl. links to other sites and publications and PDF guides of beneficial insects (under "Links").

    Taxon specific identification tools including some specific to PNG fauna

    Although not comprehensive as yet for all taxa, below are some links to identification tools and taxonomic information for specific groups, with some sites specific to PNG and others of use for general identification purposes or for identification of insects of economic importance.

Ants

  • Ants of New Guinea - An online database to the New Guinea ant fauna which includes specimen records, images and information and photos about current ant research in New Guinea, plus links to the New Guinea fauna in AntWeb (worldwide online ant database).

  • The Pacific Invasive Ant Key (PIAkey) - An interactive and well-illustrated and photographed online key to the commonly found pest invasive ant species in the Pacific. Easy to follow and with useful links e.g. to Antweb and Australian Ants Online.

  • Ants Down Under - contains an identification key to subfamilies of Australian Formicidae, which may be helpful for PNG.

Wasps

  • Universal Chalcidoidea Database - hosted by BMNH, very detailed reference website for this superfamily, includes key to families and description notes of all families, images, collection and preservation techniques and detailed morphology and terminology. Database also available on CD.

Coleoptera

Lepidoptera

  • Australian Moths Online - image gallery organized by family. Australian pest species can be found by running a search for 'pest'.

  • LepIntercept - An identification resource for intercepted Lepidoptera larvae.

    Specifically designed for larval interceptions (in particular moth larvae) at ports in the US but could also be useful in other parts of the world for entomologists identifying pest larval species at ports etc. Excellent photos and description of Lepidopteran larval morphology.

  • CATS - Caterpillars feeding on New Guinea plants - online database to New Guinea butterflies and moths recorded from ecological research by Scott Miller and Vojtech Novotny and their collaborators, through the New Guinea Binatang Research Centre. The database contains host plant and distribution records and images of adults and larvae of Lepidoptera species recorded and is limited largely to the lowland tropical forest and coastal northern region of Papua New Guinea (Madang, East Sepik and Sandaun Provinces) and highland areas around Mt Wilhelm (Simbu Province) (Miller et al. 2007).

  • Butterflies of the Wanang Conservation Area - species list of 200 butterflies recorded by researchers from the New Guinea Binatang Research Centre. Wanang Conservation is a 10000 ha protected area of intact lowland rainforest in Madang Province, established by the villagers and landowners. There is also a list for ants here on the Wanang Conservation website:

Hemiptera - Auchenorrhyncha

Scale Insects

  • ScaleNet - a worldwide database for scale insects. Navigate using the menu on the left side of the page. Follow "Queries" and "Scales in a Region" to find which families and species are recorded from PNG. In the menu on the left of the home page "Keys to Scale Insects (2014)" links to the USDA Scale Insects Identification Tool for Species of Quarantine Significance (see below for details).

  • Scale Insects - Identification Tool for Species of Quarantine Significance, Edition 2 - The direct link to the homepage for these keys and factsheets.

    Contains keys, images and factsheets on quarantine pests. There are four interactive Lucid keys. The first is to identify a scale to the taxonomic level of family. There are three keys to species for the different families: Mealybugs and Mealybug-like Scales (including Pseudococcidae, Putoidae and Rhizoecidae), Soft Scales (Coccidae), and Other Scales. The latter contains pest species in various families.

Diptera

Smartphone and Tablet Apps

Applications or 'apps' downloaded and installed on devices such as tablets and smartphones are an emerging resource for entomology and crop diagnostics. Government and NGOs are developing apps often based on existing extension resources available on the internet, in published manuals or field guides. Apps are a very convenient way to access insect diagnostic information.

The advantage of smartphone and tablet apps are that they:

  • may be updated as new information becomes available,
  • can conveniently display images that can be enlarged
  • once downloaded they may be used offline, and
  • are a convenient form of information for taking into the field.
Disadvantages may be the initial cost of the mobile device, risk of theft, and the need for Internet access to download and update the app. Apps are available for download from the Google Play (for Android) or Apple App (for iPhone) stores accessible online for smartphone and tablet devices. A variety of apps are currently available that relate to insect identification, for example:
  • Pacific Pests and Pathogens (Lucid Mobile) - Developed by PestNet for Pacific agricultural research and extension workers and lead farmers, the app contains 270 factsheets, 87 on insects. Information can be obtained by browsing the fact sheets by crop, or by symptoms. Each fact sheet is illustrated and has notes on pest distribution, hosts, biology and life cycle, impact, detection and inspection and management. The app will be updated to include mini-factsheets with a single image and key summary points in less than 100 words, and software to take photos and send them to Pestnet from either a smartphone or tablet. The factsheets (full and mini) are also available to view and download from the PestNet website.
  • Insect Orders (Lucid Mobile) - A key is available to identify common adult insects to order; it was designed for the Australian fauna, but will work for insects in PNG, too. The key is 'simple' and does not allow for many exceptions and, as such, may not always lead to the correct identification! However, it is useful, not least for its illustrations of morphological characters, the descriptions of the orders and photographs. This key is also available here.
  • Insect ID: The Ute Guide (Grains Research and Development Corporation) - Designed for the identification of common insect pests affecting broad acre crops in Australia, so it has limited applicability to PNG but may provide some useful information. It is also available online:
  • PlantVillage (Marcel Salathe) - A worldwide forum where users can post questions and pictures and seek help with growing food. There are information resources on food crops in a plant library arranged by plant type so easily searchable. The forum and information is also available online.