WELCOME to BugHunter.tamu.edu, A Guide for Collecting, Preserving and Displaying Insects and Other Arthopods – prepared by Bastiaan M. Drees, Professor and Extension Entomologist Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-2475; 979/845-5878; FAX: 979/845-7029; b-drees@tamu.edu.
Information on this site is dedicated to people interested in the study of insects and related arthropods, a field of science known as entomology.
Have the knowledge to:
• be at the right place
• at the right time, and
• use the right tools
Although insects constitute the most common form of wildlife encountered by people on a day-to-day basis, people with expertise in this field are often not locally available. Insects are often the subject of study in school programs, particularly in pre-schools, intermediate schools and even in colleges and universities. Frequently, developing an insect collection becomes a homework assignment. For those students and their parents who become involved in this task, information provided here may be useful in accomplishing this task, specifically in Texas.Many insects and insect relatives are beautiful to the eye and make handsome displays that can last for years when properly constructed and with proper care. Collections can also be valuable to science and the history of entomology. Specimens in some insect museums are hundreds of years old and some species in these collections are no longer found in nature.
Policy Statement
The Texas A&M University System, which includes Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, is an educational institution. Youth and 4-H programs promote learning about insects and related arthropods. Knowledge about identification (systematics, taxonomy), biology (life cycles, behavior or habits, impact – either beneficial or injury to man and animals) can benefit people by better understanding the world around them and actions to take, if any, to mitigate effects of pest populations. Often the result can be a reduction in the use of pesticides (including insecticides).
Educational programs emphasize responsible study of ecological systems. Although information provided herein provides details about collecting, studying and curatorship, destruction of habitat or over-collection of rare and endangered species is strongly discouraged. When reference to commercial web sites, sources of information or products is provided, references are not intended to endorse or recommend these sources over other suitable sources of information. For more information regarding fire ant management, see the Department of Entomology at Texas A&M’s website.
The information given herein is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension or Texas A&M AgriLife Research is implied.
Educational programs conducted by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.