Try our interactive tutorial.
View labeled figures to learn terms used in the keys.
How to Use the Keys
The keys are dichotomous, or couplet keys. Each couplet contains two choices. One of them will best describe the insect you wish to identify; select it by clicking the “a” or “b” above the description. After you select the description that most closely fits your insect, the key will send you to another couplet or to the photograph of your insect.
Continue through the key, selecting the best-fit choice until the key presents you with a photograph and description. If at any point you'd like to see the previous couplet or screen click on "back" at bottom left. To return to the beginning of the key, select "start over" at bottom right.
If you need help understanding terms in the keys, go to the figures.
Do not try to force an insect into a description that it does not fit. If you are not sure which half of the couplet to choose, try working the insect through both alternatives.
A hand lens or other magnifying device will be very useful in helping with field identification of these insects.
These keys include only the damaging stages of the more common pests in each crop. Insect pests not mentioned in these keys do periodically occur. If you cannot identify your pest or if you question your identification, refer the insect to your state's cooperative extension service or to other local experts.
Setting Your Monitor
Monitor settings differ for every computer user and color standards for the Web are not completely reliable. If you experience any difficulty viewing images onscreen, try setting your monitor’s contrast to 100% then adjust your brightness until the images look correct.
