The largest and most rapidly growing insect collection in the southwestern United States, most of the southern United States, and northern Mexico is located at Texas A&M University. The collection contains approximately 1,000,000 specimens representing all insect orders, and it is particularly strong in holdings of Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, and cyclorraphous Diptera. A substantial portion of this material is from the southwestern U.S. and Mexico, a large geographic area from which comprehensive collections of insects are scarce. The collection is known for the quality of its specimens and it is widely used as a source of material for systematics research. Texas A&M University and the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station have supported systematics research in general and the collection in particular for many years. However, increased insect systematics research at Texas A&M and extensive collecting activities in recent years have strained the capacity of local support to maintain momentum in the growth of the collection. This project will provide funding to assist in processing a large backlog of valuable material, for storage cabinets to provide space needed for improved curation of existing holdings, and for assistance in sorting and determining already prepared specimens. In combination with support to be provided form the Texas A&M University System, these additional resources will enable continued growth and utilization of this valuable systematics resource.
