Amateur Lepidopterists and Museums - Past and Present

Explore the fascinating world of amateur lepidopterists and their contributions to museum collections in this 49-minute talk by Erica Fischer. Delve into the history of insect specimen collection, focusing on butterflies and moths, and learn how amateur enthusiasts have played a crucial role in building US institutional collections. Examine the reasons behind the decline in specimen acquisition since the 1990s, including the rise of photography and lack of funding for natural history education. Gain insights into ongoing research comparing US findings with the UK Lepidoptera collection at the Natural History Museum, London. Discover the interdisciplinary potential of museum label data and its combination with other written sources. Presented by PhD student Erica Fischer from King's College London, this talk offers a unique perspective on the intersection of amateur collectors, museums, and scientific research in the field of lepidopterology.