Collection Profile:University of Texas Insect Collection

John Abbott, CuratorTom Atkinson, Collections Manager

1968-2000, Chris

topher J. D

urden; 1

969, Dan O

tte,

1883, Unive

rsity

of Texa

s opens it

s doors

1899-1903, Willi

am W

heeler

1901-1902, Charl

es Bru

es & A. M

elander

1920-1932, Herm

ann Mulle

r

1938-1981, Osm

ond Breeland

1965-present, R

ichard Rich

ardson

1983, Phil D

eVries

1977-present, M

ike Si

nger

1971 – present, L

awrence

Gilbert

1967, Bracke

nridge

Field La

boratory

Opens

1883 2006Ant/Insect Taxonomy

Gene MutationDrosophila Systematics Mosquitos

1999, Ulric

h Muelle

r &

J

ohn C. Abbott

1960-1980, Guy B

ush

1990-2003, Robert

Dudley

1975-present, M

ary Ann Rankin

Historical Time Lineof Entomology at

The University of Texas at Austin

1909-1952, Dana B. C

asteel

1947-1977, Mars

hall R. W

heeler

1978-2012, James R

eddell

1989-1999, C. R

iley N

elson

1982-1985, John Raw

lins

1985-1988, Alla

n Hook

OdonataAntsLepidoptera& Ants Lepidoptera Diptera &

Plecoptera

SphecidsLepidoptera CaveInverts

Screw wormBiologyDrosophila

William Morton Wheelerborn March 19, 1865; Milwaukee, WIdied April 19, 1937; Cambridge, MA

Professor of Zoology at UT 1899-1903

• Large mosquito collection (pinned adults/larvae on slides)• spermatozoa studies• started the insect collection• John Rawlins arrived in 1982 and brought systematics to the department

Osmond “Oz” BreelandProfessor of Zoology at UT, 1938-1981

front row: L.E. Gilbert, Mike Singer, Susan Weller, Nancy Jacobson, Phil DeVriesstanding: Sandy Davies, John Rawlins, Don Harvey, Connie Kendall, Roy Kendall,

Jack Longino, Jim Mallet, Nalini Nadkarni, Chris Durden)

UT Austin Lepidoptera groupwith Roy Kendall about 1984

Past Curators

Chris DurdenCurator of Entomology and Geology

1968-2000

James ReddellCurator of Invertebrate Zoology

1978-2012

MissionThe focus of the Freshwater and Terrestrial Invertebrate Collection at the University of Texas at Austin is to:1) build and maintain high quality comprehensive collections of freshwater,

terrestrial & cave invertebrates from TX and the south-central US, 2) with particular emphasis on documenting long-term changes in the biota

at representative field stations, preserves, caves, and other notable field sites.

3) We aim to provide specimens and associated data for research and education along with promoting and encouraging avocational interests in freshwater, terrestrial, and cave invertebrates around the state.

BrackenridgeField

Laboratory

Lake Austin CentreCollections combined in 2011

Physical Facilities Physical Facilities Floor plan – Main UTIC Space

Total UTIC Space: 6,887 sq. ft.Collection Space: 2,222 sq. ft.Research Space/offices: 3,065 sq. ft.USDA Containment Facility: 480 sq. ft.Education Space: 1,120 sq. ft.

Physical Facilities Floor plan – Secondary UTIC Space

Total UTIC Space: 6,887 sq. ft.Collection Space: 2,222 sq. ft.Research Space/offices: 3,065 sq. ft.USDA Containment Facility: 480 sq. ft.Education Space: 1,120 sq. ft.

Collection StoragePinned Collection• Cornell-style cabinets/drawers/unit trays• Working on header cards & interior

drawer lists• Combination of 15-drawer, 25-drawer &

48 drawer cabinets• 60 cabinets, 2,018 drawers

Collection StorageAlcohol Collection • Currently housed at two locations (UTIC/PRC)• Bulk of collection at UTIC stored in vials/jars on shelves• Substantial cave invertebrate collection• Wet-bulk storage – in variable containers, generally sorted by

taxon

Collection StorageEnvelope Collection• Odonata envelopes• Stored in 5 - 36 drawer custom

Steel Fixture Cabinets

Collection StorageMicroscope Slide Collection• Stored in combination of metal slide cabinets/trays & various

styles of slide boxes

Library• 282 Linear Feet of shelving with

books• 100 file drawers of reprints

Invertebrate Containment Facility

• USDA Containment Facility• Houses both live research

and outreach animals

Collection Size

Curated Material Only – prepared & labeledTotal Specimens: Alcohol Pinned Envelopes Slides

2,065,0001,500,000

500,00040,00025,000

AlcoholPinnedEnvelopesSlides

Collection Strengths: Geographic

• Texas and the south-central U.S.

• Reddell made many trips to survey Mexican caves in the 80’s and 90’s

• Reeder & students made numerous trips Galapagos Isl.• Routine collection of preserves, parks and unique

properties like National Guard facilities since the 90’s

Collection Strengths: TaxaTaxon strengths reflect interests of staff

Arachnids – high representation, James ReddellCave invertebrates – James Reddell

Comprises Federally Endangered Species

Lepidoptera – Chris Durden, James GillespieHymenoptera – Al Hook, Jack NeffMosquitos – Osmond BreelandOdonata – John Abbott

Data Capture Initiatives – pastnumerous individual databases

MS Access

FileMaker Pro

Data Capture Initiatives - current

Combine individual databases into single system.

Data Capture Initiatives - current

Data Capture Initiatives - current

Use of QR codes in Collection

Data Capture Initiatives - current

• Barcoding specimens from projects where data is already digitized• Barcoding new material coming in• 47,575 specimens barcoded

Data Capture Initiatives - current

• Digitizing labels retroactively• Begin imaging pinned

specimens in near future

• 644,119 specimens cataloged

• Rely heavily on volunteers with varying expertise/experience

• Currently have over 20 putting in an average of 80 hours/week

Collection Management Issues

• Growing physical and digital collections– Requires staff, $$

• Migrate individual collection databases to Specify

• Barcode wet collection • Transcribe locality/collector codes to meaningful

locality labels• Georeference specimens• Exporting data to portals like GBIF

UTIC Website

http://www.utinsects.org/

• Virtual Tour of collections and facility• Working towards making collection data

available• Links to Web-based initiatives

(OdonataCentral, Migratory Dragonfly Partnership, Bark & Ambrosia Beetles, etc…)

• Research Projects

• Virtual Object Library

AcknowledgementsCo-workersKendra AbbottBill HamblenLaura NaskiHeather OslundJames Reddell

Numerous volunteersThe Austin insect enthusiast community

Texas Army National GuardU.S. Forest ServiceTexas Ecolab Program