Entomological collection

The entomological collection of the Zoological Museum is one of the largest collections of Palearctic insects in the world and the second largest in Russia (after the collection of the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences). It includes almost 4,000,000 specimens of mainly Palaearctic insect taxa. Some groups from non-Palaearctic regions are also well represented, in particular those from Southeast Asia (Vietnam), South America (Brazil, Peru), and Australia.

The insect collection is of great scientific value, as it includes type specimens, on which the new species have been based and described, as well as the materials from many expeditions, faunal surveys, and other research reflected in numerous publications. In this regard, this collection provides an important evidence of the research that have already been conducted.

Another important function of the collection is to record qualitative and quantitative diversity of insects in past years, given that the territories with faunal surveys have changed and are still changing as a result of both human activity and climate change. Collection specimens have been identified by leading experts on the respective groups, so they are an indispensable reference material for identification of the newly caught insects. And, finally, it is a rich information source for further research on taxonomy, fauna, and morphology of insects for many years to come, and new species will surely be discovered among the materials that have not been studied yet.

Collections of the Sector are managed by respective curators in charge of their acquisition, preservation, and access to them by other specialists, students, and amateurs.

If you plan to visit the sector, you should call the curators by phone in advance:

Curator of Lepidoptera: +7 (495) 629-48-73, 629-48-73,

Curator Coleoptera: +7 (495) 629-48-73,

Curator of Hymenoptera: +7 (495) 629-44-25,

Curator of Diptera: +7 (495) 629-40-09, 629-44-25,

Curator of other groups: +7 (495) 629-44-25.