THE IOWA INSECT SURVEY 



large Insect collection must have well planned hous- 

 ing and systematic arrangement If It Is to be pro- 

 tected from destructive agencies and be workable. 



In many geographic and natural areas, surveys are 

 being made to find just what plants or animals live within these 

 borders. Individual collectors, as well as biology departments 

 of high schools and colleges, find this an excellent means of 

 getting a better knowledge of the Insects, and In maintaining 

 Interest. A survey collection, whether small or large, on which 

 active work Is being done, gives a desirable air of continuity 

 and permanency to a school department. The Iowa Insect Survey, 

 which was designed as an aid In teaching systematic entomology, 

 is here-ln briefly described in the hope that the Information 

 may prove useful to others. The purpose of the Survey is to 

 determine and record the seasonal and geographic distribution 



16065 

 XI-102 



Phyllotreta sinuata (Stepii,) 



Figure 246. A Tray Label. 



of the adults of all known Iowa species. For each species of 

 Insect, the attempt is made to keep one specimen from every pos- 

 sible county and to see that each possible month is likewise 

 represented. All the specimens representing the one species are 

 pinned in a cardboard tray. A red margined tray label bearing 

 the catalog, order and family numbers together with the typed 

 name of the species stands at the head of the tray. (Fig. 246) 

 Trays are kept in 14 x 19 glrss-topped wood cases and are 

 arranged in their logical m^merical order which makes it pos- 

 sible to locate 'iny species on a moment's notice. These cases 



Figure 247, A ^oeciiP.en record card, x Insect specimen in 

 the lov/a Survey Collection; • A Literature records. 



115 



