The Division of Entomology keeps collections of insects. It is one of the largest gatherings of Palaearctic insects and takes the second position in Russia after the one in the Zoological Institute in St.-Petersburg. It contains nearly 4 million insect specimens. It also includes numerous representatives from several non-Palaearctic regions, namely from Vietnam, Brazil and Peru, Australia.

The specimens stored in the Division have been serving as most important sources for taxonomic and faunistic studies which results were published in scientific journals, monographs and textbooks. Of special importance are the type specimens of the insect species ever described as new for the science.
One of the most important function of this collection is to reflect qualitative and quantitative composition of insect communities of various regions in different periods. It also serves as a reference collection allowing to identify most reliably the specimens obtaining during new field studies.

At last, this collection constitutes inexhaustible source for the new taxonomic and evolutionary studies in entomology. It most certainly contains representatives of the species still waiting for their uncovering and description.

Curators

The collection is curated by the members of the Division staff and, to a less degree, by leading experts from outside the Museum. They are responsible for conservation of existing specimens, for obtaining and primary treating of the new ones, and for admission to respective collections under their care.

The persons willing to work with certain collections have to get permission from their curators which are accessible by the following phones:

Curator of Lepidoptera: 629-48-73, 629-48-73,
Curator of Coleoptera: 629-48-73,
Curator of Hymenoptera: 629-44-25,
Curator of Diptera: 629-40-09, 629-44-25,
Curator of other insect orders: 629-44-25