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PNW Insect Identification #400205

Asked May 16, 2017, 12:28 AM EDT

Hello, I was hoping one of the fine employees at the extension could point me in the direction of a really great identification guide with lots of pictures for identifying insects. Not just pests but benificials as well. I'm working on a school project and need to ID a number of wild caught insects. I bet one of you guys knows the perfect place to look. Thanks for the help! -Andy Perry<personal data hidden> <personal data hidden>

Linn County Oregon

Expert Response

Hi Andy,
How about a volunteer's info instead. Thanks for contacting Ask an Expert. There are a couple of books and a one-page guide called Mac's Field Guide - Good bugs on one side, bad bugs on the other that I would recommend. Mac’s Field Guide came out in 1997 however, I picked this up a year or so ago. Mac's Field Guide, The Mountaineers, 1001 SW Klickitat Way, #201, Seattle WA 9713<personal data hidden> ISBN 0-89886-531-X.
One of the best books around is Garden Insects of North America by Whitney Cranshaw. This book is filled with pictures to help ID the bugs but also filled with plant damage so you can connect the bug with the damage, 2004 Princeton.
Then Insects of the Pacific Northwest by Peter Haggard & Judy Haggard, literally every page has color photos of insects, gives descriptions of both beneficial insects and pests. Timber Press Field Guide 2006.
The Organic Gardener's Handbook of Natural Insect and Disease Control, Edited by Barbara W. Ellis and Fern Marshall Bradley, 1996 Rodale Press (old but good info).

Lastly, Pests of the Garden and Small Farm, A Grower's Guide to Using Less Pesticide by Mary Louise Flint, Second Edition 1997, University of California Press.
If you are just ID'ing insects Mac's Field Guide will help but is limited on both goo/bad bugs, Insects of the Pacific Northwest is probably your best bet and then Garden Insects of North America.

Have fun!!

The Question Asker Replied May 16, 2017, 5:03 PM EDT

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