Photographs of all species represented in the collection
Known as mason or leafcutter bees, females often build nests out of mud or leaves and are important pollinators.
The only insects with aquatic hosts, this family of lice only parasitizes seals, otters, sea lions, and walruses.
Consisting of horse flies and deer flies, females of this surprisingly diverse family feed on the blood of vertebrates.
A collection of over 8,000 microscope slides of fleas and lice from around the world that constitute Spencer's personal holdings.
A collection of over 10,000 photographic slides by late insect photographer Ian Lane, generously donated by his family.
Over 3,000 historical specimens from the UK, Japan, and BC are showcased along with their accompanying field note book entries.
Through fieldwork and examination of older museum specimens sixteen species of insects are recorded for the first time from British Columbia, including seven new to Canada. Read more here.
In 2016 an inventory of the insects on the VCC Green Roof was taken.
A checklist of all the spheciform wasp (Crabronidae & Sphecidae) species recorded from British Columbia.
A comphrehensive checklist of all species of Lepidoptera (butterflies & moths) recorded from British Columbia.
Species galleries that have been updated with new images or maps.
Over half a million pinned specimens, 75,000 alcohol-preserved specimens and 25,000 specimens on slides showcase BC and the Yukon's spectacular insect diversity. Past collectors' particular projects have shaped the collection, and have resulted in particularly strong holdings of Hemiptera (true bugs), Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies), Siphonaptera (fleas) and Anoplura and Mallophaga (lice). The collection has also been enriched by the following notable holdings: de Waard Lepidoptera (moths), Downes Hemiptera (true bugs), Foxlee Diptera (true flies) and Hymenoptera (bees and wasps), Harrison Coleoptera (carabids), Llwewllyn Jones Lepidoptera (butterflies), Scudder Hemiptera (true bugs), Stace-Smith Coleoptera (beetles). The Collection also includes an extensive library of entomological literature, ranging from insect taxonomy, biology, and habitat to pest control. It includes over 350 books, 8000 reprints, and 20 series of unbound journals. We also have over 10,000 photographic slides of insects and arachnids with accompanying data.
The Spencer Entomological Collection is housed along with five other natural history collections in the Beaty Biodiversity Museum at the University of British Columbia.
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