The UAM Insect collection is the northern-most facility of its kind in the United States. It has the potential to become a world-class depository for dry and preserved-tissue samples of northern arthropods, primarily from Alaska.

Although a young collection, we have recently surpassed 144,000 cataloged specimens / lots (as of March 2012). Over 99% of these records have been georeferenced. Over 75% of the pinned collection has been databased; approximately 10% of the wet collection has been databased. At least one specimen of every lowest identification, in both the pinned and wet collections, has been databased so we have a complete online taxon inventory of the collection. 61,099 specimens have been identified to the species level - these represent 2,354 species (23% are apparent new records for the state). Coleoptera, Odonata, and Hymenoptera are the most well-curated groups. Lepidoptera and Hemiptera are being sorted currently (2011). Diptera is our largest group and currently in the greatest need of attention. Steve Peek, a research associate of the collection, has been working on fly identifications to help with this enormous curatorial challenge.

Volunteers

If you have a few hours a week and would like to volunteer in the Entomology Department please contact the Curator, Derek Sikes.

Donations

If you are thinking of starting a project that will produce insect specimens which you would like to donate, please contact the Curator to discuss details such as which pins to use if you are pinning specimens (stainless #3 are highly recommended) and how to record latitude / longitude for your labels. See the section devoted to donations.

Specimen Data

Search the Insect Collection Database, ARCTOS, or DNA Barcoded specimens

go straight to specimens records with images

or records of potential Alaska endemics.

Derek S. Sikes         
Curator of Insects
University of Alaska Museum
907 474 6278
dssikes 'at' alaska.edu