Technology today allows us to have cameras on our phones. That little device we have on our person at all times. People can easily take photos and share with others through email and texts using our phones. This technology is quite useful when one needs help identifying a disease or insect problem. You can take a photo and send it to your local Extension agent for help.
Here are a few tips in taking photos to aid in disease diagnosis and insect identification:- To help identify a plant, document the leaf pattern (alternate or opposite), bark, flowers or fruit (if present).
- To identify an insect, look for both mature and immature forms. Close-ups of legs and antennae can be helpful. Images of the damage they may have done. Frass or casings can also be helpful with identification.
- To diagnose a problem, be sure to capture healthy parts of the plant as well as damaged parts. Include an image of the entire landscape. the entire plant, as well as close-up images of the problem area. If possible, get an image of healthy plant tissue along with damaged plant parts. If there is a problem on a leaf, take photos of both the top and the underside of the leaf.
- Take multiple shots. Closeups are extremely useful as long as they are in focus. Back out until you can get a shot in focus. Choose the sharpest to send.
- Use an object to set the scale. Examples are coins, pens, or rulers. Put the object next to insects or plant parts. This provides some idea of size.
- Provide any additional that may be useful to your Extension agent. Where did the disease symptoms start? (top, bottom, middle of the plant)
