State and Private Collections

Abstract

Entomological research collections are necessary for the identification of specimens, for compilation of catalogues, for preparation of distribution lists, inventories, and for life history studies. Since insects are among the most important transmitters of diseases to man, animals, and plants, are destroyers of animal and plant products, and are also sensitive indicators of environmental change, these kinds of knowledge are important to man. More recently, with the advent of sensitive analytical equipment, collections of plants and animals, including insects, are taking on a new significance in that they provide baseline information, otherwise unavailable, on past environmental conditions. No other resource exists for the storage and retrieval of this kind of basic biological information. Examples include analyses of decreases in egg shell thickness associated with the use of chlorinated pesticides (Ratcliffe 1967) and increases in the mercury content of goshawk feathers following the introduction of alkyl-mercury substances as disinfectants (Johnels and Westmark 1969). Both were based on analyses of museum specimens. Insect collections, because of the diversity of sites from which they are collected and the numbers of specimens available for testing, will probably be used similarly as even more sensitive analytical techniques are developed. For this reason and because the costs of maintenance and use are rapidly increasing, it is timely to review insect collections and consider how their status may change in the coming years. My portion of the discussion will deal with private and state collections.