picture of a horsefly

What’s the value of insects in natural history collections? Find out at Aug. 8 Science Café Cleveland event

Science Cafe Cleveland LogoHundreds of thousands of insects are kept in the basement of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Why so many? How are they used? Where are they from?

Insects represent just a fraction of the museum’s overall collections, which range from dinosaur fossils to Native American artifacts. With a focus on insects, the next Science Café Cleveland will discuss how natural history collections at hundreds of museums and academic institutions worldwide play a foundational role in science by preserving verifiable information through space and time.

Collections allow us to trace our evolutionary origins, explain current biodiversity patterns, and inform future sustainability strategies—all by using specimens that most people don’t even know exist.

Gavin Svenson, coordinator of research, curator and head of invertebrate zoology at the museum, and Nicole Gunter, collections manager of invertebrate zoology at the museum, will discuss “Hoards of insects: the value and use of natural history collections.”

The event will be held Monday, Aug. 8, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Music Box Supper Club Concert Hall (1148 Main Ave.).

The CWRU chapter of Sigma Xi, WCPN ideastream and the Music Box Supper Club sponsor Science Café Cleveland.

More information about the event is available at case.edu/affil/sigmaxi/.