MORE ON INSECT IDENTIFICATION

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Blaise Sims
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1 MORE ON INSECT IDENTIFICATION An earlier item in the Newsletter (2(2): 42-45) offered some suggestions for ways in which systematists and the users of identifications could work together for mutual benefit in requesting and providing identifications. If appropriate, some of these suggestions can be organized into formats to be used when submitting specimens for identification, or into protocols - such as that shown in the last Newsletter (from Knutson et al. 1980) - for reporting identifications. The U.S. Insect Identification and Beneficial Insect Introduction Institute (IIBIII) and the Canadian Biosystematics Research Institute (B.R.I.) have both responded to the earlier item. The IIBIII is the U.S. Federal agency responsible for providing identifications and other taxonomic services for insects and related organisms; the B.R.I. (National Identification Service) is its counterpart for Canadian users. The standard information and advice for those submitting materials to each of these identification services is shown below. Pages reproduce a sheet accompanying the identification request form sent by IIBIII. Pages show contents of the memorandum distributed by B.R.I. with its request forms (excluding some details about nonarthropod taxa). Dr. Lloyd Knutson (Chairman, IIBIII) writes in part: "We have recently had our previous typewritten identification request form cast into a paper, printed form.* We realize that many people regard forms as a nuisance, but the identification request form provides the essential information that we have found that we need, it puts the information in a format that we can easily enter into our computerized recording system, serves as a reminder "checklist" for the requester, and often saves the requester the chore of writing a letter. We do, however, appreciate receiving an accompanying letter if there is special information to transmit. The IIBIII taxonomists report form includes the Incomplete Identification codes.** We have been using these for only about a year (adopting codes from the B.R.I. procedure, and further modified for IIBIII use). This is a relatively effortless procedure for the taxonomist and yet provides substantially more information for the user. The Incomplete Identification activity is built into our computerized tracking system, so we can analyze these data in relation to other data (the identifier, source of material, category of incomplete identification, etc.). This provides a useful management tool, indicating where the condition of the material needs to be improved, where certain studies are needed, etc. *This form seeks detailed information under such headings as source of request, level or type of identification needed, other information requested, reason for identification, description of project, source of project support, specimen disposition, whether voucher specimens included, and remarks. ** Incomplete Identification Code (II) 1. Species is apparently undescribed 2. Group now under revision (Optional - enter name and address of revisor below identification) 3. Group needs revision; species are not identifiable 4. More precise determination depends on characters found in other sex or caste 5. More precise determination depends on characters found in other life stage 6. More precise determination depends on genital characters that must be dissected and/or mounted on a slide to be seen 7. Specimen (Code): C-critical parts missing; P-in poor condition; I-improperly prepared 8. Known habits of this group suggest specimen is irrelevant to your project; if relevant, resubmit with details 9. More precise determination depends on knowledge of host 10. Other (Specify): 11. No comparable identified specimens in U.S. National Collection From Newsletter of the Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods), Vol. 3, No. 1, Spring 1984

4 Dr. Ian Smith (Assistant Director, B.R.I.) writes: "Experience at B.R.I. has shown that arbitrary systems devised to standardize the reporting of identifications have not resulted in improved service to clients. The appropriate taxonomic level and degree of refinement of identifications vary considerably depending upon the needs of the user and the available knowledge of the group in question. The policy of the Canadian National Identification Service is to encourage identifiers of specimens to treat each case individually, ensuring that reasons for any incomplete or qualified identifications are fully and clearly explained to clients as an integral part of the written identification report. We expect our staff to provide taxonomic services that respond to the specific needs of each client, and would encourage users of the National Identification Service to request follow up explanations on any identifications that do not provide them with adequate information to resolve their taxonomic problems. Our systematists frequently devote many hours of careful study to ensure that specimens are identified as accurately as possible. Incomplete or qualified determinations by taxonomic specialists should be regarded as the best information available to clients, and not as the result of carelessness or inattention. As pointed out by Knutson et al., qualifying words such as "possibly" and "near" are essential parts of an identification and must not be omitted in subsequent citations. "It should be mentioned that users of taxonomic services can help to promote good service by providing complete data on the nature of projects and collection of specimens, by ensuring that submitted material is relevant and properly prepared, labelled, and packaged for shipment, and by specifying the required level and degree of refinement for determination of their material. Clients can also encourage high quality service by ensuring that all information obtained through the National Identification Service is accurately cited and appropriately acknowledged." From Newsletter of the Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods), Vol. 3, No. 1, Spring 1984

5 "MEMORANDUM FROM B.R.I., AGRICULTURE CANADA RESEARCH BRANCH The Biosystematics Research Institute (B.R.I.) provides a National Identification Service for government departments and others. At present the majority of requests for identifications of specimens are received from Agriculture and Environment Canada, and Canadian universities and colleges. PROCEDURES FOR SUBMITTING MATERIAL FOR IDENTIFICATION: Forms have been designed for submitting material and for reporting on identifications-it is important that shipments of insects, arachnids, and nematodes be forwarded to the B.R.I., K.W. Neatby Building, KIA OC6, and vascular plants and fungi to the B.R.I., William Saunders Building, KlA OC6. This will avoid loss of material and delay having material identified. Parcels should be marked INSECTS FOR IDENTIFICATION, PLANTS FOR IDENTIFICATION, or FUNGI FOR IDENTIFICATION. CONDITIONS FOR SENDER: 1. Material submitted for identification from government laboratories should be associated with authorized, necessary projects. Please explain the importance of material in sufficiently clear detail for us to assign an appropriate priority. Priorities will then be assigned by B.R.I. in order to ensure fair and equal treatment for submitters. 2. The sender should ensure that specimens are properly prepared and labelled. As our technical resources are limited, we usually cannot mount or re-mount specimens, make slides (except for Mycology), labels, etc. For details of methods, consult Martin, 1977, The Insects and Arachnids of Canada, Part 1, Collecting, Pteparing and Preserving Insects, Mites and Spiders, Publication 1643 (Supply and Services Canada), and Savile, 1962 (reprinted edition, 1973), Collection and Care of Botanical Specimens, Publication Faster service is achieved by relieving B.R.I. taxonomists of most technical work connected with identifications; poorly mounted or damaged specimens are time-consuming to examine, and often cannot be identified at all. 3. Data should be as complete as possible concerning locality, date, host association, ecological niche, collector, collector's number, field notes, etc. 4. Shipments of arachnids, insects, and other arthropods should be sorted, at least to order, and material of different orders sent in separate boxes, enabling different specialists to make identifications concurrently. With larger shipments much time will be saved by sorting to species (matching like with like) at your laboratory. 5. Assign a reasonable deadline date, remembering that top-priority commitments cannot be met if we are flooded with "urgent" requests. 6. Plant specimens are not normally returned. They should be collected in duplicate, and numbered individually. One set should be sent for identification and the other retained for the reference of the sender, who will receive a list of identifications by numbers. 7. All shipments of fungal specimens and/or cultures should be sorted and named, at least to class and/or order and, whenever possible, tentatively to genus or species at the laboratory by matching like with like. Inclusion of microscope slide preparations showing diagnostic features of mature stages will expedite identification. CONDITIONS FOR BIOSYSTEMATICS RESEARCH INSTITUTE: 1. Shipments will be acknowledged promptly, and senders will be informed of the assigned lot numbers and priorities. 2. B.R.I. personnel will assign a priority to each lot. The reverse side of the submittal form indicates our method of handling different priorities. 3. B.R.I. personnel will do their utmost to respect priorities requested by the sender. Delays may arise when B.R.I. specialists are absent from the Institute, or when material has to be sent to outside specialists. Senders will be notified when a long delay is

6 unavoidable. 4. Reasons for incomplete (i.e., generic or other "group") identifications generally will be provided. 5. B.R.I. specialists are encouraged to provide supplementary information, e.g., recent changes in generic assignment or synonymy, or special interest of a particular specimen or record. RETENTIONS: Although the majority of insects, arachnids and nematodes in an identifiction lot are commonly returned to the sender, cultures and collections of fungi are retained, and vascular plants, if of interest, are also retained. It would therefore be helpful if the sender would indicate on the submittal form whether he wishes the material returned or if it may be retained for the national collections. Specimens are retained for two main reasons: either they represent valuable records of distribution, host, or variation that should be incorporated into the permanent collection; or they belong to a group that is in taxonomic confusion, and material should be accumulated for revisionary study. We retain specimens in order to improve the value of the Canadian National Collection to all potential users. We hope that those submitting material will appreciate that retained specimens are of lasting value, and that the Canadian National Collection belongs to all Canadians. Data associated with specimens in the Collection are available to all who require them, and we are pleased to provide particular information in response to specific enquiries. However, we lack the resources to offer a bibliographic service. Scientists and technicians interested in particular taxa in the Collection are invited to visit the Biosystematics Research Institute and make use of the collections and libraries. Previously, we have often not retained those arachnids and insects which would represent valuable additions to the C.N.C. from identification lots, but have returned them to the sender (who may wish to inspect them once more, or copy data from the labels) with a special red label marked "Return to C.N.C." A disappointingly large number of these specimens either were returned damaged or were not returned at all. Therefore, we intend in future to retain these important specimens outright, to ensure that they are safely deposited in the Canadian National Collection without being exposed to possible damage during additional handlings and mailings. Of course, data from labels on retained specimens will be supplied to the sender. We encourage scientists and technicians from other establishments to visit the B.R.I. for instruction in collecting and preparing specimens of insects, arachnids, nematodes and plants. Visitors must assume responsibility for their own travel expenses. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED METHODS OF PREPARATION OF SPECIMENS SUBMITTED FOR IDENTIFICATION: Insects and Arachnids: For details see Martin, 1977, The Insects and Arachnids of Canada, Part 1, Collecting, Preparing, and Preserving Insects, Mites and Spiders. The identification of the lower groups (Mollusca, Crustacea, etc.) is the responsibility of the National Museum of Natural Sciences, Ottawa, KlA OM8 and material should be forwarded there directly. Specimens of most of these groups should be preserved in 75% alcohol. Diplopoda, Chilopoda, Symphyla, Arachnida (other than mites), Protura, Thysanura, Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Dermaptera, Embioptera, and Isoptera are preserved in 75% alcohol.

7 Collembola, Psocoptera and Thysanoptera: A few specimens of each species mounted on slides, the remainder of the series submitted in 70% alcohol. Araneae: Spiders preserved in 75% alcohol. Acari: A few specimens of each species of mites mounted on slides in Hoyer's medium; remainder of series submitted in 75% alcohol, and, in the case of eriophyids, also dry in their host material. Water mites killed and preserved in modified Koenike's Fluid (5 parts glycerine, 4 parts water, 1 part glacial acetic acid; by volume). Ticks should be submitted, unmounted, in 75% alcohol. Odonata: Pinned and spread, or papered in cellophane envelopes. Nymphs preserved in 750' alcohol. Orthoptera: Pinned. Mallophaga and Anoplura: A few specimens of each species (male and female) on slides, remainder of series submitted in 750 alcohol. Host data are very important for these orders. Heteroptera: Pinned or pointed. Homoptera: Pinned or pointed. Aphids, scales, and whiteflies: a few specimens of each species mounted on slides, the remainder of the series submitted in 70% alcohol. Neuroptera and Mecoptera: Part of series in 75% alcohol, remainder pinned; small specimens double mounted (minuten). Trichoptera: Pinned; small specimens double mounted (minuten). Lepidoptera: Pinned and spread; small specimens double mounted (minuten), never pointed. Specimens taken in sticky traps, or otherwise recognizable only by the genitalia, require slide preparation of these organs. Larvae: place large larvae into almost boiling water for about 30 seconds, then transfer to 75% alcohol; replace the alcohol two weeks after preservation. Kill and preserve small larvae in 70% alcohol. Pressed leaves containing mines should accompany shipments of mining Lepidoptera. Coleoptera: Pinned or pointed. Larvae: kill in almost boiling water (3 minutes), then store in 75% alcohol. Host data are very important for plant feeders. Siphonaptera: A few specimens of each species (males and females) mounted on slides; remainder of series submitted in 75% alcohol. Host data are very important for this group. Hymenoptera: Pinned or pointed. Chalcidoids preserved in 75% alcohol. Host data are very important for Symphyta. Diptera: Pinned or glued to side of pin. Small Nematocera (Cecidomyiidae, Chironomidae, Ceratopogonidae, etc.): killed and preserved in 75% alcohol. Larvae killed in warm water (180 F), allowed to cool gradually in the water; puncture large specimens and preserve in 75% alcohol. Larvae, pupae, and adults - A few specimens of each species mounted on slides, the remainder of the series in 75% alcohol.

8 Note: All submitted specimens must be accompanied by a neat, printed label with full data (locality, date, collector, host, etc.). Specimens preserved in fluid should have only one species per vial whenever possible. To prevent damage during transport to specimens preserved in fluid, vials should be completely filled with fluid and should contain labels of appropriate size. To fill vials, a pin or fine wire should be inserted temporarily with, and alongside, the stopper to allow air to escape. Shipping and packing Insects, Arthropods, and Nematodes: Often the results of an entire project depend on the identification of specimens. Every precaution should therefore be taken in packing and shipping material, and the procedures outlined by Martin should be carefully followed. Outgoing Nematodes, Insects, and other Arthropods from B.R.I. are forwarded to the Shipping and Receiving Section for packing and shipping, and consequently normally will be received sometime after the identification report. We would appreciate being informed of any material returned to you in deteriorated condition. From Newsletter of the Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods), Vol. 3, No. 1, Spring 1984

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