Insect Sorting and Identification
Peter Oboyski, Sr. Museum Scientist
Essig Museum of Entomology
Applications for Spring 2025 are closed for this project.
The Essig Museum is actively collecting insect specimens across the state to document the diversity and conservation status of California's native and non-native species. Samples are captured using various complementary trapping techniques to maximize the number of species. Some of these specimens will be added to our DNA sequencing pipeline, while the rest of cataloged and added to the museum's five million plus collection used by researchers from around the world.
Role: The museum apprentice will help sort specimens at first to order level (beetles, flies, wasps, etc.) then to family and beyond when possible. Basic identification will be taught using identification keys and characters unique to particular groups (ie. sight ID). Data will be entered into the museum's online database.
Qualifications: Students with experience handling and identifying insects (eg. ESPM 140 General Entomology class) strongly preferred.
Hours: 6-8 hrs
Biological & Health Sciences Engineering, Design & Technologies