The insect collection at the Survey now houses over 6,000,000 curated
specimens. The growth and wide-ranging scope of this collection can
be credited to the diverse interests of the systematists who have
spent all or part of their career at the Survey. Scientists such as
Stephen A. Forbes, the first Director of the State Laboratory and
Chief of the Natural History Survey; Theodore Frison, who succeeded
Forbes; and H. H. Ross, who directed the intense systematics studies
of the faunistic section for 40 years, placed considerable emphasis
on enlarging the insect collection. These insects document the
changing landscape and environmental conditions of the world.
The INHS insect collection is one of the largest in North America. The most recent size estimate was done in 1992. The heavy concentration of specimens from the last third of the 1800s also makes this one of North America's oldest insect and related arthropod collections.
The INHS Insect Collection includes more than 13,000 primary types (syntypes inclusive). Because of size, historical holdings, and wide breadth of coverage in certain groups, the collection is an important national and worldwide resource.
Description of Insect Orders at INHS
Insect Collection Primary Type List
Illinois Endangered and Threatened Insects - Illinois ESPB
Scientific
Collections Page
CBD General Information Page
Center for Biodiversity
Illinois Natural History
Survey
Please report any problems with this page to
cbdadmin@inhs.uiuc.edu