 |
 |
 |
|
 |
      |
 |
|
|
|
Updated February 2005
Currently there are in excess of 135,000 specimens housed in the core collection. They are pinned, labeled, and identified to a family level. In many orders such as the odonata, coleoptera, and hymenoptera, many if not most of the specimens have also been identified to a generic taxa level with many specimens at a specific taxa level of identification. These specimens are housed in 500 Cornell drawers using standard pinning trays. There are also another 115, 000 +- specimens awaiting addition to the core collection. 95 % of the specimens have habitat associations and about 180,000 specimens have individual unique UCFC specimen numbers. Individual specimen data capture has been entered into the UCFC database. This database will soon be available on a read only basis through this web site. The core collection is currently 33% Coleoptera and 45% hymenoptera. The bulk of specimens awaiting inclusion to the core collection are hymenoptera. There is also a large collection of insects in bulk in 4-dram vials, as well as excess material in .5 pint jars of alcohol from past work. The UCFC also maintains a collection of several hundred vials of arachnids identified to a family level, with some generic and species work also completed. These specimens were collected by sweeping and beating, as well as trapping with malaise, pit fall, flight intercept, and UV light traps. At this time 90% of the collection is from the five major micro Eco-zones of the 1100+- acre University of Central Florida, Orlando campus located in East Orange county, as well as other areas within the county (For more information on some of these habitats and others, (click here). Also being studied are the five surrounding counties. This study has provided the home for 13 new species, 8 hymenoptera - holotype, 3 hymenoptera - paratypes and 2 coleoptera - paratypes. They are Hymenoptera: Bakeriella mira Evans (Bethylidae); Dryinus fullertoni Olmi (Dryinidae); Synopeas russelli MacGown (Platygastridae); Lepidosternopsis irradiata Lanes and Azevedo (Bethylidae); Entomacis cellaria Yoder (Diapriidae); and Epsilogaster fullertoni Pitz (Braconidae); Zaischnopsis bouceki Gibson (Eupelmidae); Zaischnopsis coenotea Gibson (Eupelmidae); Zaischnopsis erythrothorax Gibson (Eupelmidae); Zaischnopsis phalaros Gibson (Eupelmidae); Zaischnopsis xanthocola Gibson (Eupelmidae); Coleoptera: Carinisphindus purpuricephalus McHugh and Lewis (Sphindidae); Enaphalodes archboldi Lingafelter and Chemsak (Cerambycidae). There is a smattering of material from other areas of the United States and a very, very limited amount of world wide material provided from the remains of the personal collection of the current Research Associate in Charge of Arthropod Collections. The UCFC is not actively seeking further outside material. It is the intent of the UCFC to be regional in nature, complementing the state collection (FSCA-Florida State Collection of Arthropods) in Gainesville Florida as well as regional collection at the Archbold Biological Station (ABS) at Lake Placid Florida. Much of the equipment and supplies have been provided by private financial subscriptions, which are tax deductible through theUniversity Foundation. There is no paid staff. All work is voluntary. The Research Associate in Charge of Arthropod Collections is an honorary appointment by the College of Arts and Sciences. Throughout the year there are many students who help with many aspects of the collection. There is also an endowed account through the foundation -- the Fullerton Family Fund that does, at the discretion of the foundation, provide a small amount of financial support to the collection. At the moment, these funds are used to provide for student help in data entry and other work within the collection. This student support is provided, when available, at both an undergraduate and graduate level. Visitors and outside volunteers are also welcome. If you are interested in doing volunteer work, please contact Stuart Fullerton at the Bug Closet (407-823-6540) or through the Department of Biology (407-823-2141). The collection is usually available on M W and F from 8 A.M. to 2 P.M. (special arrangements for other times and days can be made with the Research Associate.) Loans of material may be arranged through the Research Associate and will be provided to established collections, specialist, and advanced students, following standard museum procedures. Questions and comments may be directed to the Research Associate in Charge at this e-mail address: Stuartf@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu
| |
The "Bug Closet" is the home of the UCFC (University of Central Florida Collection of Arthropods). The Closet had very modest beginnings, starting out in a small room with one door on the first floor of the Department of Biology back in 1993. As the collections began to accumulate, the Closet's contents overflowed out the door and into the hall! Partial renovation was in order, and so the Closet was fitted for a new door that opened to the newly created museum range. During a period of time when the Biology Building was undergoing a complete renovation, the Closet was relocated to the second floor (thanks to hardworking volunteers!). Upon completion of the renovation a triumphant return was made to its old location on the first floor of the Department. Today, the Closet sports a door at each end, has extensive space in the new museum range and no longer overflows into the hall.
| biology@ucf.edu | Phone: 407-823-2141 | Fax: 407-823-5769 | University of Central Florida Homepage | College of Arts & Sciences Homepage |