Purdue Entomological Research Collection

Purdue Entomological Research Collection The Purdue Entomological Research Collection (PERC) is dedicated to the preservation, documentation, and scientific study of insect biodiversity.

The Purdue Entomological Research Collection (PERC) is an integral part of the Department of Entomology at Purdue. Specimens housed in the collection are the basis for research in systematic entomology at Purdue and by specialists worldwide. The PERC also serves as a reference to facilitate the accurate and timely identification of insects for extension and teaching needs. Approximately 2 million

specimens are held, representing more than 140,000 species. This includes mainly dry-mounted pinned material as well as many specimens stored in liquid preservative or mounted on slides. We are dedicated to the preservation, documentation, and scientific study of insect biodiversity. Opinions expressed on this site may not represent the official views of Purdue University.

Our Collection Manager, Dr. Chris Wirth, will be co-leading a two-day macrophotography workshop on May 2-3 in West Lafay...
04/17/2026

Our Collection Manager, Dr. Chris Wirth, will be co-leading a two-day macrophotography workshop on May 2-3 in West Lafayette, Indiana—if you've ever wanted to learn how to take close-up photos of any insects, spiders, or other arthropods this is a fantastic in-depth opportunity with both classroom and in-field activities! For more information and to register please visit: https://cvent.me/qK5bOo

03/11/2022
We are excited to share our new logo—featuring Nicrophorus americanus, once "frequent" in Indiana, today no longer found...
09/17/2021

We are excited to share our new logo—featuring Nicrophorus americanus, once "frequent" in Indiana, today no longer found in the state, highlighting the importance of collections work!

05/20/2021

Help track Brood X!

February is Black History Month
02/01/2021

February is Black History Month

Book co-editor Willye Bryan says young Black people need to see individuals who look like them in the field of entomology as an incentive to choose the field as a career.

On Dec. 31, the Purdue College of Agriculture has 47 faculty and staff retiring, including some longtime friends of PERC...
12/17/2020

On Dec. 31, the Purdue College of Agriculture has 47 faculty and staff retiring, including some longtime friends of PERC. As a group, they represent 1,508 years of service to Purdue University. The video below gives a glimpse of each of their contributions during their time in the college. We wish them all well.

07/19/2020

The spiny flower mantis (Pseudocreobotra wahlbergii) knows how to strike a pose—but it’s not for the ‘gram. It takes this position when it feels threatened and wants to intimidate a foe. By raising its wings, the critter reveals markings that resemble big eyes and makes itself appear larger than it actually is. But this mantis doesn’t always have such a striking look. In the early stages of life it looks like an ant; it becomes more colorful with each molt as it grows.
Photo: Frupus, flickr

07/02/2020

Meet the mad hatterpillar, the invertebrate that keeps its old moulted heads attached to its body to make a beautifully bizarre headpiece

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West Lafayette, IN
47907

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