Entomology

With over 35 million specimens, the Smithsonian insect collection is one of the largest entomological collections in the world. Specimens and their associated data are used as the basis for original collections-based research on the taxonomy, life history, geography, and evolutionary history of insects, arachnids, and myriapods. The collections are world-wide in scope and include large holdings of medically and agriculturally important species making parts of the collection especially significant as sources of research as to the evolutionary relationships and identification of insect pests.