Invertebrate Zoology

The Department of Invertebrate Zoology at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History is devoted to the study and curation of its Entomology Collection (Insects and other Arthropods) and its Malacology Collection (Mollusca), as well as the conservation of the habitats where these organisms occur.

Insects comprise the largest group of animals on earth with around 1.25 million species described. Many more species await naming and study.

We have a solid understanding of the biology of only a minority (estimated 10%) of the species on earth. Much of our understanding is restricted to species of economic, medical, and veterinary concern.

The Museum’s Department of Invertebrate Zoology has a variety of foci, including identification of invertebrates of medical concern, the biology of disease vectors, and forensic entomology. See the results of our 2007 study, Bugs and Bear Blog, on the use of insect succession during black bear poaching cases.

We also focus on elucidating the basic biology of species that do not play a direct role in human lives, but are important components of the natural world. The latter includes studies of biodiversity.

A relatively new avenue of research involves collaboration with biologist Dr. Andrew Swanson (http://www.case.edu/artsci/biol/swanson.htm) of Case Western Reserve University. We have been generating data on the effects of Global Climate Change on the basic biology of insect species. See Research page for more information.

The Department of Invertebrate Zoology offers programs giving an opportunity for first-hand experience in the discipline. Interested undergraduate students are encouraged to investigate the Adopt-A-Student program, and interested graduate students may examine advanced degree opportunities within the department.