The entomological collection of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is amoung the largest in North America, containing over 4.5 million specimens. Many singular collections, and its extensive use by scientists and technical investigators, make it important internationally, nationally, and locally. The collection is now properly housed in a compactor with space for some 15 years expansion. Much of it remains in need of preparation and curation in spite of great improvements by such treatment under a prior NSF facilities grant. The needs addressed under the present award are the completion of further curatorial projects on material of prime significance to current and anticipated research. The curators, aided by three full time technicians and visiting researchers, will mount, label, identify, sort, and organize specimens in three major areas: (1) LEPIDOPTERA: mostly neotropical moths, and special collections of North American material of historical, ecological, and taxonomic value. (2) FORMICIDAE: George & Jeanette Wheeler lots of North Dakota and larval ants; Adis collection of Amazonian ants; ongoing accessions of Costa Rican ants; and miscellaneous voucher series. (3) COCOS ISLAND INSECTS: virtually all material extant from this zoogeographically strategic island. Visiting researchers will also assess other portions of the collection for future attention.
