Plant Health Diagnostic Service: Plant pests and diseases identification

Improve the health and profitability of your crop, pasture or nursery enterprise with the Plant Health Diagnostic Service (PHDS). Our laboratories are staffed by specialist pathologists, bacteriologists, mycologists and entomologists - experts in a wide range of crop, pasture and horticultural pests and diseases - who can provide plant pathogen and insect identification of all insects, fungi and plant bacteria.

Our specialist plant pathologists and entomologists have the backing of the Agricultural Scientific Collections Unit, which houses Australia’s largest collection of agriculturally significant insects, fungi and plant bacteria.

Available services

Key functions of PHDS include:

• diagnosis of crop disease and disorders;
• identification of insect and mite problems;
• chemical resistance testing;
• active surveillance for emerging and exotic diseases.

We can assist you to:

• save expenditure on unnecessary or incorrect chemicals;
• ensure your produce achieves best quality and, therefore, best market price;
• implement best practice pest and disease control.

Preparing and submitting a sample

• Plant/insect sample preparation
• Insect identification request form (PDF, 89kb)
• Plant health sample request form (PDF, 35kb)

Which laboratories conduct these tests?

Our PHDS laboratories are located at Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute (EMAI) and Orange Agricultural Institute - see contact details

Customer service units

Contact the customer service unit at EMAI (Menangle) or Orange for assistance. Alternatively, you can contact your local district agronomist or district horticulturist.