Entomology
Entomology is the largest collection of the Sam Houston Natural History Collections, representing around one million pinned specimens and many additional specimens in alcohol. It occupies two large rooms on the second floor. Nearly all our specimens have collection location labels, and many are identified to the level of species. The holdings of the collections are available to both SHSU and external researchers. We are currently undertaking database efforts to improve the accessibility of our collections.
Notable components of the Entomology collection include the following:
- John Pickering Collection of parasitic wasps in the families Braconidae and Ichneumonidae. This collection was donated by John Pickering and at the time of its donation appraised (by an external appraiser) at a value of over a million dollars. This collection is valuable because of its systematic methods of collecting; it can be repeated to answer many ecological questions on insect diversity and climate change. This is also an important group biologically because they function as parasitoids that regulate other insect populations.
- The Strepsiptera collection represents one of the largest collections of this insect order in the world. It contains many type specimens, mostly from Africa, that will make it an important research collection in perpetuity. This collection ranks second to the United States National Collection at the Smithsonian in importance for this group of insects.
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The museum has an important collection of tiger beetles (family Cicindellidae) that came from three sources. In addition to the museums earlier holdings, the Tony Clifton and William Sumlin collections have been added by donation.
- The museum has the largest collection of bees in Texas and the holding of this group is increasing rapidly. This is an important collection because of the concern of a loss of pollinators. The collection supports a grant of nearly $500,000 awarded to researchers at SHSU from the Texas Comptroller’s Office. Two graduate students just finished theses using parts of this collection.
- A large water beetle collection is housed at the museum. This is partially due to the donation of the Sharon K. Jasper collection, who received her Master’s degree at SHSU. There are many opportunities for research projects within this collection.
- The ant (Formicidae) collection at the museum is an extensive collection of primarily Central American and North American specimens. We have large holdings of this important group. Students have been using this collection for research projects, one of which was just published in June 2024.
- John Hilliard, a retired SHSU Biology professor, left his Orthoptera collection (grasshoppers, crickets, etc.,) to the NHC. We are actively curating these specimens. The Orthoptera collection fills about 100 drawers.
- The museum received a substantial collection of Seco Creek invertebrates (mostly insects). These specimens are from an area that has been altered by humans and the Creek no longer exists, making these specimens irreplaceable.
- Entomology includes orphaned collections given to SHSU by the University of Miami, Texas State University, and the University of Texas at Arlington.
Intrested in Visiting the Entomology Collection?
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Questions?
Have an interesting object that you'd like us to take a look at?
Are you looking to donate a Collection?
Email the respective curator or Will Godwin (wbg004@SHSU.EDU) to schedule an appointment or show interest.