Wednesday, April 14th
Did you know Purdue Entomology is home to an entomological museum with 1.3 MILLION specimens? It is the largest and most important collection of Indiana insects. Many of these specimens are historic, like the Blatchley collection of beetles, true bugs, and more from the 1930s. Some are unique; the mayfly collection is the biggest and most complete mayfly collection in the world!
Discover the history of Entomology, and how you can contribute to its future!
Anytime Activities:
Digital Tour of The Purdue Entomology Museum
Did you know a research insect collection is like a Tardis? It lets you travel in time and space to look at bugs, and there’s a lot more inside it than you expect. (All Ages)
How to Collect Insects
Maybe you need to make an insect collection for school — or maybe you just what to know what is living around you! Our Museum Staff will show you some common entomological collecting techniques in this video. (All Ages)
- Join 4H and make an Entomology Collection
- Take a look at the 4H insect collections from the 2020 State Fair
How to Pin an Insect
Need to make a collection for a class or 4H? Watch this video to learn some tips and tricks from the pros of pinning! (All Ages)
Download instructions to make your own equipment here:
Want to Quiz yourself on what you learned about pinning? Try this 4H Challenge!
For some insects, it really does take professionals to get pinning done. Here’s an interview with Museum Director Aaron Smith about how to pin ironclad beetles. Power tools are involved!
Celebrating Black Entomologists
How about listening to some lovely harp music by Brandee Younger while you take a lunch break? You’ll learn about some entomological history makers, as well as meet some of the amazing black entomologists working in entomology around the world today. (All Ages)
EntoPOC helps students afford memberships in professional societies, and highlights a Scientist of the Month.
Thank you to Insect Ambassadors and the graduate students of UW-Madison for the use of this video.
Here’s a longer profile of Henry Turner, whose work on ants and bees was almost as revolutionary as being a black scientist during the early 1900s America.
Come to Purdue and study Entomology!
Learn more about the Insect Biology Major at Purdue Entomology