1 Sample Submission: Quality and Security Author: Richard Hoenisch

2 Take into Consideration the Nature of Your Sample: Perishable? Tender? Tough?

3 Foliage diseases Sample Quality: Diseases may be on any plant part Lesions / Damage on trunk?

Digital Diagnosis 4 Take at least 5 photos – close up and at a distance

Sample Quality Avoid dead plants Dead Plants Tell No Tales!

6 ► Put your samples in a cold box! ► Have sealable baggies ► Always have a black Sharpie

7 Sample Quality: Packaging & Shipping Strong crush-proof box  All seams taped Keep soil on roots  Plastic bag on roots, closed around stem Do not add extra water Wrap in dry paper then double bag in plastic  Zip-able lock bags are highly preferred Disinfest exterior of bags

8 Sample Quality: Good Packaging Dry paper to protect leaves from contact with plastic bag Plastic bag to keep soil on roots

9 Quality and Secure Sample Submission: INSECTS Most insects can be preserved in a vial with 70% isopropyl alcohol

10 Quality and Secure Sample Submission: INSECTS Caterpillars should be placed in boiling water for 1 minute prior to preservation in 70% alcohol Don’t Microwave

Secure Sample Submission: Insects Be specific on collection information! Location on Host Plant? – Roots, Stems, Flowers, Buds, Leaves, etc. Where was the insect found? – Field Crops, Greenhouse, Residence, Landscape Who collected the sample? – His/Her contact info. Degree of infestation

Secure Sample Submission: Insect Guidelines Crush specimens in tissue or plastic wrap, or tape them to paper Overcrowd them (dead or alive) Send them without complete and accurate information DON’T:

Include stems, roots if possible, whole leaves attached to the stem, and any flowers, fruits, or seeds. Include all plant parts Quality and Secure Sample Submission: Weeds

Submitting the Sample: Chain of Custody A record must be kept documenting the transfer of evidence from one person ensure that a complete and accurate record is maintained, including: The name of the person from whom he/she obtained the evidence; Date and time he/she came into possession of the evidence; The name of the person to whom it was transferred and the date and time of that transfer. 14

Submitting the Sample: Confidentiality Avoid telling others about “your find!” Respect confidentiality Photo from Suzanna 's Public Gallery

16 Notify the agricultural agent Submitting the Sample  That you have a suspect sample  whether you will be delivering or shipping the sample  give estimated time and date of arrival  if shipping, give all relevant shipping info: - carrier - tracking number - expected time of delivery

17 Secure Sample Submission Furnish all relevant information, including: ► your contact information ► location, name of grower/owner, date found ► extent of damage, incidence and severity data ► more information means faster, better diagnosis ► Site conditions and history of sample

18 Rick Bostock WPDN Regional Director UCD Carla Thomas WPDN Deputy Director UCD Kitty Cardwell NPDN Project Leader Richard Hoenisch WPDN Education Coordinator UCD Andrew Coggeshall WPDN IT Specialist UCD