A general outline of images to include is useful when no general identity of the specimen is known.

1) Provide two good overall images of the specimen including its entire body shape.

One should be taken of its dorsal (top) side and another of its ventral (bottom) side. General characteristics such as size, general shape and color of the specimen are helpful. . Regardless of the kind of arthropod involved these two images should be submitted. Add an object in one of these photos to reference general size such as a penny, pencil tip, etc. Depending on the size of the specimen, use of either the handheld digital camera and/or the camera mounted to the dissecting microscope may be required.