Entomological Bioinformatics at the Texas A&M University Insect Collection

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A grant has been awarded to Texas A & M University under the direction of Dr. John D. Oswald to support computerization of the university Insect Collection, a research collection of approximately 2.2 million specimens, primarily from the southwestern United States, and Mexico and the northern neotropics. The project will capture data from labels from over 540,000 pinned insect specimens to construct a searchable, online database of information on insect identification (taxonomy), geographic distribution, and dates of collection. Among the major groups to be sampled are beetles, cicadas, leafhoppers, aphids, wasps, ants, and bees. The online database will make information on collection available to researches worldwide. Capturing geographic and other collection data will allow for improved understanding of the distribution of these important groups of insects, many of which are economically and ecologically important to human society. Additionally, the project will provide educational opportunities for an estimated 25-35 graduate and undergraduate university students in the fields of insect systematics, biological informatics and collection management.