Professional collections have to follow certain procedures of preservation. The most collected of all insect orders are the Coleoptera and Lepidoptera. Collections can be amateur or professional:-Traditionally, insects are impaled on a straight pin. Other specimens are preserved in alcohol (70% Ethanol)-There are museums which house large insect collections including the one at TAMU Department of Entomology. The collections are actually a library of info. The info on the labels is interesting and important. In many cases the habitats from which the insects were collected is no longer available, or is changed to the point that the insect are no longer present (endangered species). -Students deposit voucher specimens into the museum. Students here at TAMU who do research with these insects are expected to deposit voucher specimens with the museum, that are then available for future generations of scientists. “Type” Specimens-Insect specimens from the museum are shipped all over the world to entomologists that would like to study them. These are called “type” specimens. The HOLOTYPE (different colored label) is the actual specimens used to name the new species, and against which all other like insects (paratypes) are compared. Preserve & return all borrowed specimens:One of the major challenges with insect collecting is to preserve the insects in such a way that the shapes, colors, and appendages are kept intact. This takes special care from the moment that the insect is captured and killed until it is pinned and mounted in the collection. Again, it is critical that all pertinent info be kept with the specimen (labels).Strange odors in museum:These are preservatives which prevent scavenger insects from ruining the collections.Insect museums are actually libraries of info about specific groups of arthropods. Collections can be permanent:May actually be used by scientists not yet born. They also provide specific info about insects from places or habitats which may no longer exist, and therefore they are theonly opportunity of ever learning about specific associations. TAMU Insect museumOne of the largest insect collections in the US.Available to amateur & professional entomologists. Bar coding system used to track specimens in collectionSpecimens are put into a glass vial with 70% alcohol: collection, date, where it was collected.Location: Country, state, county, cityDate: day (number), month (roman numeral), year (complete)Collections nameSpecial equipment is involved in collecting.Equipment can be simple or highly specialized: Nets (types)- Aerial, Sweep, Aquatic (D-net)Aerial- made out of organdy, made to catch fast flying insects such as flies and moths.Handle can be up to 30 ft. long for high reaches. Decoy ribbons are used with them for catching butterflies. Sweep: canvas material. Used in crop fields, durable and last a long time. Aquatic- metal frame in the shape of a D. used to push along rivers.Beating sheets: piece of cloth with a frame. Placed underneath tree branches and catch what falls off. Light trapsSuction traps Commercial traps- work like a vacuum and suck in insects. Usually at nightKilling jars:Usually a heavy glass container with an absorbant material with acetone. Close the jar with insects inside and it kills themSpreaders/DryersUsed for insects with wingsEnvelopes: Used to hold insects Aspirator:Small insects. Rubberized tubing used for vacuum. Berlese FunnelDragsTics and fleas. Flannel cloth is put on a stick and dragged through the ground. OthersPitfall trap- plastic cup Soft forcepsPrecautions must be taken when collecting insects:Soft forceps First aid equipmentMedicationsPins:Size- variesPinning blocks help to position insects and labels: specimen, location, class or orderLabels must be on the pin for insects collected in ENTO 3221/8” X ¼”PointsAlcohol-70% EtOHMountsProtection from insect scavengers- container in freezerLabel- Max size= 1/2 “ x 1”Special permits:Endangered Species Act (USA:1973)-US Department of the InteriorFederal RegisterSome species that should no longer be collected or in possession of the collectors.It’s illegal to bring certain insects (even if dead) back into the USHundreds of speciesInternational Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN-1948):-Extinct (EX)- not seen in last 50 yrs-Endangered (E)- danger of extinction-Vulnerable (V)- likely to become extinct-Rare (R)- small work population-Indeterminate (I)- not enough infoAnimals removed from the endangered species list:-Bald eagle -PelicansTexas Endangered Species (TX:1973)-Texas Parks and WildlifePossible misuse of endangered species:-Personal agendasForeign exploration and travel:-Get required permits-Know the laws & regulationsSegmented wormlike ancestor:-A pair of appendages on each segment-Segmentation + jointed pairs of segmental appendages + initial incorporation of segments into head + posterior appendages specializing-Continued trend of incorporation of segments bearing feeding appendages into head + abdominal appendages becoming vestigial-3 distinct structural and functional body regions: each pairs segmental appendages specialized for performing that region’s bodily