About the Collection
The Albert J. Cook Arthropod Research collection, also known as the entomology collection or entomology museum, contains approximately 1.5 million specimens of pinned, slide mounted, and alcohol stored specimens of insects, spiders, and other arthropods. The emphasis is on species from Michigan and the surrounding Great Lakes area, but also includes significant holdings of material from all areas of the United States, and smaller holdings from other areas of the world. All orders are represented but the most significant holdings are in the Coleoptera (beetles), Diptera (flies), Hymenoptera (bees and wasps), and Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths). Current areas of research emphasis include the Scolytinae (bark and ambrosia beetles) and Lepidoptera of Michigan.
Visiting and Using the Collection
The collection is generally open Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM for use by researchers, students, visitors. Tours for the general public who specifically wish to see the collection are available by appointment. However, school groups and general public visitors who just want to see insects and/or learn about entomology are encouraged to make arrangements to visit the MSU Bug House.
Contact
- Collection Director: Anthony Cognato, Ph.D.
- Collection Manager: Gary Parsons (Room 434)
- Location: Natural Science Building, Rooms 401, 401A, 450, 451, 454
- Phone: (517) 353-1630
- Website: https://www.canr.msu.edu/ent/research/arthropod_research_collection/
- College/Department Affiliation: Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources