History

The Museum of Entomology and Tropical Biodiversity of the Mayagüez Campus (MEBT-MC) (formely the Museo de Entomología y Biodiversidad Tropical) at the Agricultural Experiment Station maintains a collection of insects that dates back to 1910. The collection of the MEBT-MC is the largest depository of insects in Puerto Rico. The collection harbors more than 300,000 individuals in the main collection at Rio Piedras (not to be confused with the Río Piedras Campus of the University of Puerto Rico that also home significant biological collections) and some additional holdings in the Isabela (approximately 5,000 insects of agricultural importance and 1,200 identified Acari. One of the unique aspects of this collection is the detailed accession number catalog that cross-references about 85% of the pinned specimens with additional biological data.

HOLDINGS

The Museum of Entomology and Tropical Biodiversity of the Mayagüez Campus holds approximately 220,00 organisms representing the 26 orders of insects known to occur in Puerto Rico following Borror et al. (2005) classification. Major collections include those of the orders Thysanoptera and the families Aphididae (Homoptera), Thrichoptera (recently donated by Dr. Oliver Flint, National Musuem of Natural History, Washington, D. C.) Muscidae (Diptera), and an assorted collection pertaining to medical and veterinary entomology. The collection holds a modest number of mollusks, some Diplopoda, Chilopoda, as well as arachnids, including spiders and scorpions.

WHY AN INSECT MUSEUM?

Systematic Entomology and Entomological Collections provide identification of species and knowledge of the relationships of species to each other. The Museum of Entomology and Tropical Biodiversity of the Mayagüez Campus continues to grow, increasing the documented fauna of Puerto Rico, making a significant contribution to attaining a better understanding of the biological diversity in the Island. The research in this insect museum provides support to programs in biological control, quarantine public health, and pest control. In order to upgrade, improve and maintain the collection and to contribute to the future research that must be undertaken, it is necessary that the work in the insect collection must be continued. Continued support of Entomological collections and research based on them is essential if collections and general reference systems are to meet the needs of the biological sciences.

MISSION

The mission of the Museum of Entomology and Tropical Biodiversity of the Mayagüez Campus is to facilitate research and educational programs to enhance the entomological knowledge of our fauna. To interpret the natural world through research, education and exhibits; to promote understanding of the entomological fauna and diversity of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean region; and to inspire in all a respect for nature and the environment. The Museum is part of the University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez Campus and works in partnership with UPR/College of Agricultural Sciences, and other collaborative institutions.

VISION

The Museum of Entomology and Tropical Biodiversity of Mayaguez Campus will be the premier collections-based environmental education and entomological research resource in our region. We will provide programs that are timely, user friendly, and relevant to the real-life needs of the diverse populations of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean region today and tomorrow.