Insect Diagnostic Lab

For a fee of $25, anyone can send Jason J. Dombroskie, manager of the Insect Diagnostic Lab (IDL), an insect sample and the staff will identify it and tell the client how to deal with the insect. “In many cases it isn’t dealing with the insect but with what is causing the insect problem,” says Dombroskie.

The IDL receives an average of 500-600 samples per year. The bulk of samples come from growers, producers, and the general public. Large organic producers send customer complaints to the lab, as well as lawyers involved in lawsuits. The lab also has a contract with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, helping to monitor invasive species across the state.

The lab has microscopes, fine forceps, microscissors, insect pins, and other instruments used for the delicate art of dissection. Tiny moths look so similar that dissecting the genitalia is the only way to identify the species. This is done by removing the abdomen and boiling it in potassium hydroxide. Once boiled, it is stained and viewed under a microscope.

Dombroskie invites high-end amateurs to come to the IDL and learn dissection techniques. One amateur from Pennsylvania came to the lab in 2014 to improve his skills and is now one of the North American experts.