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Tours, Loans, and More

The MT James Entomological Collection is a internationally-recognized research collection. We have 3 million prepared specimens which researchers use for scientific purposes. As possible, we also assist those who require our expertise or who want to access material for artistic projects, student class assignments, or other pursuits. The MT James Entomological Collection can accommodate visits from groups who wish to explore the world of entomology at WSU.

Click through a slideshow of some previous student visits below!

    • Rich Zack displays a drawer of insects to a student group.
    • The lab book of a student from a tour.
    • A young student holds a Madagascar hissing cockroach.
    • Three students peer at insects while on a museum tour.
    • A young visitor examines a display, called a Riker Mount, of moths and butterflies.
    • Our department chair, Dr. Laura Lavine, gives an introduction to insects to a visiting group.

Please note: we are closed to the public until at least spring 2022, but look forward to welcoming back our entomology-minded visitors.
The MT James Entomological Collection engages in public outreach and education in conjunction with our Entomology Graduate Student Association. Visitors to the Department of Entomology have the chance to see an amazing assortment of preserved insects, spiders, and other arthropods, learn from informative displays, and hold live insects.

The museum is currently operating at reduced capacity.
Unfortunately, until at least spring 2022, we cannot give tours and accommodate outreach events.
We are not able to fulfill most loan requests at this time, but we can provide information about our holdings for researchers inquiring about specific taxa. The MT James is accepting loan returns.
Please contact Elizabeth Murray (e.murray@wsu.edu) for more information.
Outreach at the Museum
Showing off some of our preserved material for display.
Explaining the ins and outs of our ethanol collection.
Scientific Loans and Data
Where's that tribe you wanted?

How to reach us via mail:

On campus, we are located on the 1st floor of Food Science and Human Nutrition Building.

 

mailing address:

MT James Museum, Entomology
Washington State University
PO Box 646328
Pullman, WA 99164-6382, USA

shipping address:

WSU, Entomology
MT James Museum, 166 FSHN
100 Dairy Road
Pullman, WA 99164-1120, USA

Museum personnel out and about and answering questions on your local insects and spiders! Some links:

Dr. Rick Zack stars in “Insect Collection Serves as Identification Base for Researchers”.

Dr. Elizabeth Murray shows off the museum while explaining the yearly fall appearance of the woolly apple aphid. By WSU student reporter Rylee Fitzgerald (pictured).

February 2022:  Elizabeth Murray was interviewed for the ‘Ask Dr. Universe’ column which appeared in the Spokane Spokesman Review and the Moscow-Pullman Daily News. Elizabeth and Dr. Universe discussed the topic of the evolution of mantids (order Mantidae) and how they are most closely related to cockroaches.  link to the Ask Dr. Universe site “What did praying mantises evolve from?”

 

Rich Zack talks about a really cool spider in WA: “Along came a spider … and it opened a door” !
link to the Oct 2021 Spokesman-Review article