Submitting Samples to the National Plant Diagnostic Network Sentinel Plant Network Module 3

Module Objectives Learn the 4 W’s of Sample Submission – Why? – What? – When? – Where? Learn how to package a sample

Why Submit? Protect botanical collections and natural areas Provides baseline data for the occurrence of common pests Report unusual or suspect pests

What to Submit? Types of Samples – Plant diseases nematodes – Insects – Spiders – Mites – Unknown plant problem

When to Submit? Potentially new pest or pathogen occurrence that you don’t recognize appears in your garden. You think you have a common pest or pathogen problem, but the damage is unusually high. You’re managing a pest problem and you’re not comfortable with your pest or pathogen identification.

Where to Submit? Sample Submission – Digital images – Physical samples NPDN Labs –

Where to Submit? Links to all of the state labs can be found on the NPDN homepage,

Key Questions Who is submitting the sample? What is the host(s) and did the damage vary by host? Any recent changes to site-specific pesticide or fertilizer treatments? When did you first notice the problem?

Packaging Your Sample

Sample Submission Include the lab’s sample submission form. Provide as much information as you can.

Sample Submission — Insects Most insects can be preserved in 70% ethanol or rubbing alcohol. Propylene glycol or vinegar can be used for short-term shipping.

Sample Submission — Insects Small insects and other arthropods may be submitted on the host.

Sample Submission — Diseases Submit samples showing moderate to severe symptoms. Submit an entire plant if possible. Do not send dead plants. Do not add water to your sample.

Sample Submission — Diseases Plastic bag to keep soil on roots. Dry paper towels to protect leaves from contact with plastic bag.

Sample Submission — Review Place in appropriate container. Place double bagged samples in a sturdy shipping container. Place completed sample submission form and Sentinel Plant Network form in the outer shipping container. Ship samples via overnight carrier. If a significant sample: double bag and call your diagnostic lab to inform the diagnostician that the sample is coming.

Packaging Mishaps Insect parts — What is it? Water may destroy sample and sampling information!

More Packaging Mishaps

Questions For more information on the Sentinel Plant Network visit network network Or contact SPN manager Daniel Stern at

Author Credits Amanda Hodges, PhD, SPDN Associate Director, NPDN Training and Education Program Area Manager, University of Florida, Rachel L. McCarthy, MPS, NEPDN Education and Training Coordinator, Cornell University,

Acknowledgements Content has been adapted and revised from the NPDN module entitled ‘Submitting Diagnostic Samples’. This scripted presentation was originally released in 2006, and updated by the NPDN Training and Education Subcommittee in Module authors included: Creswell, T., R. Cullen, L. Buss, A. Hodges, C. Harmon, K. Wright, and T. Ailshie.

Reviewer credits Caroline Lewis, Education Strategist and CEO The CLEO Institute Emily Griswold, Assistant Director of Horticulture, UC Davis Arboretum Lynnae Jess, Assistant Director, North Central IPM Center

Date of Publication September 2011

The Sentinel Plant Network’s Mission The Sentinel Plant Network contributes to plant conservation by engaging public garden professionals, volunteers and visitors in the detection and diagnosis of high consequence pests and pathogens.