Specialist emergency diagnosis

Identification of specimens suspected to be AGM should be attempted using the printed or electronic identification key provided with this protocol. Examination of the male genitalia to use the key should be feasible for a non-lepidopterist with the instructions given. Dissection of female Lymantria specimens is more difficult, but the likelihood of intercepting females is very low. The assumption is that this protocol will primarily allow reliable identification of Australian Lymantria species trapped in pheromone traps by comparison of their genitalia with the illustrations in this protocol. Given the serious measures that will be set in train in case of an incursion of AGM, any positive identification should be confirmed by a specialist. Such specimens should be sent to the ANIC Collections Manager of the Australian National Insect Collection (ANIC), CSIRO Entomology, GPO Box 1700, Canberra, ACT 2601, for confirmation. Consignments should be marked as such and labelled as for urgent attention by Dr. M. Horak. They will be attended to as a matter of high priority if Dr Horak is available. In Dr Horak's absence, Mr Ted Edwards or Dr Rolf Oberprieler will be able to confirm AGM.

The Australian National Insect Collection has authentically determined adults and slide preparations of all the species figured in this protocol. These specimens and slides are available for verification and definite identification of AGM at any time.