Web-based resources for pest identification

Efficient and accurate pest identification is essential to our nation’s efforts to safeguard our natural and agricultural resources. The Identification Technology Program (ITP) strives to keep USDA’s digital identification resources current through the delivery of a variety of web- and app-based products that support screening and identification of invasive insects, mites, snails and slugs, diseases, and weeds. ITP develops keys, fact sheets, websites, and mobile apps like those produced for scarabs of Hawaii and the Pacific, as well as screening aids, image databases, and other resources. Each product is designed to tap taxonomic expertise and make it easily accessible to plant protection personnel where and when they need it.