Identification of California Insects, BugPeople.org, A San Francisco Bay Area Entomology Outreach Program, Oakland, California

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Mail-in Identification is an effort to support teachers of science in the San Francisco Bay Area. BugPeople will accept requests for insect identification from schools participating in the Exploring California Insects Program. There is no charge.

Specimens may be mailed to the taxonomist at:

Operation Identification
c/o Exploring California Insects
5209 Congress Avenue
Oakland, CA 94601
(510) 506-2837 Tel.

*This is a residence, so, please, do not disturb the occupants by dropping by unannounced.

Specimens should be shipped in plastic containers, such as 35mm film containers. Containers should be sealed with masking tape and packed into a padded envelope.

Data that should accompany the specimen includes:

1)	location/address insect was collected
2)	what the insect was doing when collected (e.g., scurried under coffee cup)
3)	indication of what, if anything, the insect was eating
4)	evidence of insect infestation, if any (e.g., damaged leaf)
5)	where the insect was located (e.g., beneath bathroom sink)
6)	e-mail address where you may be reached. (This free service precludes materials from being returned via mail)

Curriculum Aids includes "How Scientists Identify Insects" (K-12) and "Color Me!" (K-3)

Also, please do not send specimens that are difficult to recognize (e.g., those with significant parts missing, or those which have been smashed).