We've moved! The Tioga County Penn State Extension office is now located at 114 Main Street, Wellsboro in the Wellsboro Chamber of Commerce Building. Our entrance is located to the right/northside of the building.
Western Conifer Seed Bug
If you have a plant question or concern, please send a detailed description via email to tiogamg@psu.edu. You may attach two or three high-quality photos to help the Master Gardeners identify the plant or issue. Master Gardeners will promptly retrieve your email and respond.
Purchase Soil Test Kits and/or Water Test Kits
Diagnose a Plant Disease Using the Penn State Plant Disease Clinic
Insect ID Services
Digital specimens can be sent to Michael Skvarla at mxs1578@psu.edu. Still photographs are preferred as they have higher resolution than videos. Please include details that will help with the identification, such as where the insect was found (state and city, as well as finer details such as "in my kitchen"), host plant (if it's a plant pest), and the damage caused/what the issue is. Please do not send a blank email with just photographs and no text describing the issue.
Physical specimens
Please include a completed Identification Request Form with all physical samples.
Most physical specimens should be preserved in 70% alcohol (ethanol is preferred, isopropyl/rubbing alcohol is acceptable; both are available at most pharmacies) in a liquid-tight container, such as a small jar. The container should be double bagged in self-sealing plastic bags (such as Ziplock bags) to prevent leakage during shipment and shipped in a box or other rigid container.
Samples that include plant material should be double bagged and shipped in a box or other rigid container. Do not preserve plant material in alcohol.
Specimens that are shipped in non-rigid containers such as padded envelopes are frequently destroyed during shipping and identification of poorly preserved specimens may not be possible.
Please do not send samples that are removed from the body or contain bodily fluids. The lab is not equipped to handle potentially biohazardous material and such samples will be discarded without being opened.
Physical specimens should be shipped to:
Insect Identification Laboratory
Department of Entomology
501 Agricultural Science & Industries Building
University Park, PA, 16802
