Entomology (CASC-ENT)

Insects and arachnids account for more than four-fifths of all described species in the world. By participating in everything from multi-disciplinary biodiversity surveys to focused, ongoing projects around the globe, Academy entomologists continue to add to that number — and to our understanding of insect and arachnid roles and relationships — each and every year. Since the department's founding in 1862, our collection has grown to become one of the three largest entomology collections in North America, encompassing approximately 250,000 species of insects, myriapods, and arachnids. Led by curators Brian Fisher, Michelle Trautwein, and Lauren Esposito, and collection manager Chris Grinter, today's department includes scholars, curatorial staff, postdoctoral researchers, and students comprising a broad range of expertise.