2010 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) Provide expert identifications and associated information of insects and mites to APHIS/PPQ in support of quarantine activities. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Scientists in the laboratory use the National Collections, literature collections, and their own experience to identify specimens submitted by port identifiers. Methods include specimen preparation, use of compound and dissecting microscopes, digital images, illustrations, and collection curation techniques. Specimens are submitted via both express mail and via the internet (digital images). Specimen identifications are entered into the SELIS (Systematic Entomology Lab Identification System) along with any relevant biological information to APHIS headquarters in Riverdale, Maryland. When appropriate reference specimens are kept for incorporation into the National Collections. 3.Progress Report The agreement supports the provision of providing identifications and identifications aids to regulatory personnel at ports-of-entry. During this reporting period the Laboratory provided 6000 URGENT identifications intercepted at ports-of-entry and 35,000 routine identifications. We also participated in training of APHIS personnel and transferred technology on insect groups via workshops primarily in Lepidoptera. We detected and provided information on new immigrant species to the United States. This work is in direct support of quarantine and pest exclusion of invasive species. Invasive species are responsible for the loss of billions of dollars in crops and other commodities each year.