University Insect Collections and NM-RARe!
What are some rare insects in New Mexico, and where can I learn more about them? --Sandoval County The Sandoval County Extension Master Gardeners recently had the privilege of touring the Museum of Southwestern Biology's Division of Arthropods collection. Located on the University of New Mexico campus and open to the public by appointment only, the Museum serves as a repository of biological specimens for scientists to study. Museum research collections like these allow scientists to describe new species and track distributions of known species over time, giving us one of the most concrete and accurate ways to tell how changes in habitat and climate affect populations. These collections also serve as great learning tools, offering the public an up-close look at plants, animals, and fungi from around the world and our own backyards. It was a wonderful treat to see the collection and hear about the Division of Arthropods' current research, which currently includes the study o...