The Museum's Entomology Collection includes 200,000 specimens that showcase the breathtaking diversity of insect life.

Fun Facts

Specimens from six continents are represented in the collection.  More than 120 years of collecting are represented here.

The collection's concentration on the Wasatch Front makes it unique - and uniquely important.

Some of the specimens are pinned, some smaller or soft-bodied specimens are stored in alcohol and still others are stored "papered," or folded in paper triangles to conserve space.

New metal cabinets at The Rio Tinto Center create a more controlled, stable "micro habitat" that is safer for the specimens and also protects against pest infestations.  Delicate insect specimens expand and contract slightly with temperature and humidity changes causing them to become even more fragile.

Bugs of Utah

Links to other sites of interest:

Entomological Society of America
Iowa State Entomology Index of Internet Resources
University of Florida Book of Insect Records
Insect and Spider Collections of the World