The James Entomological Collection is composed of approximately 1.28 million specimens. The majority of the material (ca. 70%) is from the Pacific Northwest. Other major holdings are from the western United States, the Midwest, and Central America. The Collection maintains a world coverage in certain groups (e.g., Diptera: Stratiomyidae, Calliphoridae, Ephydridae). Diptera represent the largest holdings with just over 500,000 specimens. In decreasing order the remainder of the Collection is as follows: Coleoptera, 240,000; Hymenoptera 125,000; Lepidoptera, 80,000; Hemiptera, 45,000; Homoptera, 25,000; other groups 35,000. In addition to the pinned specimens, we maintain an extensive collection in fluids of over 300,000 specimens. Included are large holdings of army ants and associates, ceratopogonid flies, and immatures of all major families. We believe that our true strength, and therefore uniqueness, lies in our ability to provide as large a variety of material from the Pacific Northwest as possible. We stress proper preparation techniques in the hopes that it will make our material that much more valuable to researchers. And, we will cooperate with researchers in every way possible to see that they obtain material of value to their studies. As we update and modernize the collection, we will be making information available over the internet. This will intially consist of a searchable database of our type collection and species lists of our holdings, but will evolve into a full-fledged data base for most groups over the next few years. Check back soon for changes!

 

 

Our collection of Stratiomyiidae is one of the largest in the world and contains type material (both primary and secondary) of over 400 species. Our holdings of Tephritidae, Sphaeroceridae, and Tipulidae contain representatives of the first specimens collected in the Pacific Northwest and include numerous types. In addition, our holdings of Tabanidae, Ephydridae, Dolichopodidae, Calliphoridae, Syrphidae, and Tachinidae are especially strong.

 

 

Our Collection of Coleoptera is primarily midwest and Pacific Northwest in scope and contains a large amount of material identified by Melville Hatch, the premier Northwest coleopterist. During the last 5 years we have been surveying the aquatic Coleoptera of the PNW. As a result we have developed extensive collections of dryopoid beetles, hydrophilids, dytiscids, and some of the lesser known families (Heteroceridae, Hydraenidae, etc.). We are also working with various specialists to develop our holdings of scarabs, buprestids, cerambycids, and coccinellids among others.

 

 

With the addition of the Calkins and Anderson Lepidoptera collections in the mid 1980's we now have over 80,000 specimens in this order. These represent acquisitions not only valuable from a numerical aspect, but also historically interesting. Included are specimens from almost every geographic region of the world - many collected at or just after the turn of the century. An extensive amount of material collected during the 1920's and 30's from south and central California is represented. Our Lepidoptera collection also contains extensive representations of boreal North American as well as south-western desert species. And, of course, the Northwest is well represented.

 

 

Another area of the Collection receiving attention during the last several years is the Hemiptera. We are surveying the aquatic Heteroptera of the Pacific Northwest and have made extensive collections of all families. Additionally, we have been aided by K. G. A. Hamilton of the CLBRR - Agriculture Canada in developing our collection of leafhoppers. Our Hemiptera collection has grown by 30% during the last 5 years.

 

 

One of our foremost collections is that of army ants (Formicidae) and colony associates. This material was collected over a series of years in Central America. Almost all specimens have been identified by specialists including Seevers, Dybas, Wenzel, and Borgmeier. Included are the ants, Diptera (mostly phorids), beetles (limulodids, histerids, staphylinids, etc.), and other less common groups of associates.