2B
Monday, August 24.1992
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
KU bug collection ranks among best
Lack of space, money allows visitors to see only small portions
By Silvia Peralez Special to the Kansan
What began as a campus study add to help students learn about animals, insects, shells and stones has become a collection of insects ranked among the top five in the country, according to the Entomological Society of America.
The Snow Entomological Museum, on the second, third and fourth floors of Snow Hall, houses more than three million identified insect specimens.
The collection of insects began in 1867 as a way for students to directly study natural objects. By 1882, specimens in the collection numbered 100,000, thanks to the efforts of Francis Huntington Snow, the building's namesake.
The dramatic increase in specimen numbers is attributed to Snow because while on a hunting trip to western Kansas he accidentally discovered a rare tiger beetle. Before
returning to Lawrence, Snow filled a jar with several hundred of the beetles. Back on campus, he proceeded to trade them with museums throughout the world for other specimens.
Because of the large number of collections and the lack of storage space, a commission for a new building was granted. The new building became the Snow Hall of Natural History. In 1912, the building was declared unsafe, and in 1929 the present building was erected.
From the three million identified specimens, only one cabinet of insects is on display. The insects in that collection include those native to Kansas, a display of monarch butterflies, iridescent-colored insects and an assortment of insects from all over the world, which features beetles the size of an infant's hand.
Lack of space and limited funds are the primary reasons that not more insects are on public display. Also, various hallways and display cases are not connected to electricity, hampering interested museum goers
"We are also limited in that we cannot display the insects in direct sunlight," said Rob Brooks, collection manager. "If we did, within a short period of time all of the insects would be faded to the same color."
Insects not on public display are used for research. The specimens are either loaned to other universities and museums, or the scholars visit the University to do their research. Approximately 90 loans a year are made throughout the world. Also, some of the insects in the collections are on loan from other museums and universities or are obtained through expeditions. Once or twice a year expeditions are made to collect more insects, Brooks said.
James Ashe, director and associate professor of biological science, is now on an expedition to Mexico. In January, an expedition from KU will visit another site in Mexico.
Brooks, as collection manager, oversees the activities of staff, conducts research and is the public relations coordinator for the museum. He also makes presentations to schools, civic groups and garden clubs. Frequent visits or calls by people wanting to know about certain insects are common.
Anyone interested in viewing the collection can call the museum at 864-3065 to make an appointment.
Chris Wilkens, St. Louis freshman, watches the bowling ball speed toward the pins.Wilkens was bowling Wednesday at the Kansas Union Jaybowl during the Union Fest' 92 celebration. Students were able to bowl for 80 cents a game during the week-long promotion.
Doug Hesse / KANSAN
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