Facilities Support for the James Entomological Collection

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The James Entomological Collection at Washington State University is one of the largest University collections of insects in the country. The Collection is representative in all major groups of insect orders and contains approximately 1.25 million specimens. It is especially strong in Diptera (flies), Coleoptera (beetles), Lepidoptera (moth and butterflies), Hemiptera (bugs), and Hymenoptera (bees and wasps) and maintains a collection of type material. Begun in 1892, the holdings of the Collection are of significant historical as well as scientific importance. It is one of the few collections which can provide specimens from the Pacific Northwest and thus serves as an important regional and national resource. The Collection has moved to new facilities (December 1992) which were actually designed as a collection room with adjoining offices and library. The addition of new drawers , cabinets, and pinning trays, will provide adequate housing for specimens which are now stored in substandard housing. Funding also allows us to house our material in a single style of drawer (USNM) for the first time in the history of the Collection and, because of the efficiency of the new drawers, eliminates the problems of on going pest infestations and the constant need for fumigants. The addition of technical help allows for the transfer of specimens form the old housing to the new with only a minimum disruption to the day-to-day activities of the Collection. Washington State University agrees to fund 30% of equipment (housing) costs.