Identification Services

Collecting a Physical Sample

With any submitted physical samples, photos to accompany the samples is preferred.

General Tips for Collecting a Sample

• Collect a fresh sample: Collect a sample on the day you are submitting it to our office or shipping it to our office. Don't leave samples in vehicles overnight. Intense heat or cold will destroy the sample. Place samples in bags.
• Submit samples that are not in transition: Show symptoms of dying. Diagnosis is difficult to impossible with dead or dried plants.
• Send in a sufficient sample: Whole plants, including roots, are more desirable than individual leaves or branches, whenever possible.
• Submit a sample of the soil if possible: Keep soil off foliage by wrapping the root ball in plastic, aluminum foil, or submitting in a separate bag from the plant tissue.
• Submit photos of the sample by emailing Chesterfield Cooperative Extension.

Trees and Shrubs

Collect a 12"-24" long branch with leaves attached. Samples should show transition from healthy to affected foliage.

For Weed/Plant Identification

A single leaf or grass blade is not sufficient. We would need a live and dead tissue sample if possible. This means we need good tissue next to the problem, going tissue that is undergoing the problem, and gone tissue that recently died. Include as many parts of the plant as possible, including:

• Flowers
• Fruits
• Leaves
• Plant
• Roots
• Twigs

Turf Samples

We would need a 4"x6" round disc or square of turf including a 2"-3" of root which shows transition from healthy to affected turf. Wrap the roots with aluminum foil to keep soil intact and prevent contaminating blades. and place in the appropriate size carton or shoebox.

Insect Identification

Include a dozen bugs, not just one, to ensure a good sample. Single specimens are not always complete. Insects are hard to identify when parts are missing. Larvae should be placed in 70% rubbing alcohol. Please have insect whole and not mushed. Must be in a bag or container. 

Foliage or Leaf

Please put foliage or leaves in a plastic bag or container, as this will help keep them fresh so we can identify them. Do not bring in paper bags, or dried or shriveled leaves. Boxwoods must be doubled bagged.

Submitting a Physical Sample

View our how to submit samples video to lean more.

Where to Submit

Submit In-Person at the Cooperative Extension Office

Stop by our office with your sample please include problem diagnosis form for plants (PDF) or insects (PDF) with your sample. If possible, bring the sample directly to our office as it will be fresher and arrive in better condition for diagnosis. 

We ask that you first to send in a picture of your plant/ID by emailing the virtual help desk. You must leave the sample with front desk and a lab specialist will look over your sample and inform you of their findings.

Submit by Mail

When mailing samples for insects, package your sample in a crush-proof container.

When sending your sample through the library, place it in a sealed, plastic Ziploc-type bag inside a brown paper grocery bag. Do not add any water to the sample. Staple your diagnosis form to the outside of the paper bag.

When mailing the sample for plants, do the following:

• Wrap the sample in a dry paper towel.
• Do not add any additional water.
• Place wrapped sample in a box with crumpled newspaper or similar material to stabilize the sample.
• Wrap root ball/soil separately from plant to avoid contamination of the plant tissue.
• Place your sample information/form in a separate, sealed plastic bag.
• Moisture from the sample can disintegrate paper and cause ink to run if packaged in direct contact with the plant tissue or soil.

Include problem diagnosis form for plants (PDF) or insects (PDF) with your sample. Please mail the completed form with sample to:

Chesterfield County Cooperative Extension
P.O. Box 146
Chesterfield, VA 23832-0040

If mailing, mail early in the week to avoid sitting in the post office over the weekend. Use overnight services whenever possible.

Submit at a Library Drop-off

Include problem diagnosis form for plants (PDF) or insects (PDF) with your sample. Drop off at any Chesterfield County Public Library (CCPL) location.