National Museum of Natural History collection of Mantodea moves to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History

On the 27th to 29th of June, 2012 the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, collection of Mantodea was packed and moved from the central collection in Washington, D.C. to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History in Cleveland, Ohio. An Offsite Collection Enhancement Loan to Dr. Gavin J. Svenson, Curator and Head of Invertebrate Zoology at CMNH, was issued for a duration of at least 10 years to ensure this collection will remain active and accessible to the scientific community. Gavin Svenson has become the curator in charge of this collection and will oversee all specimen loans and image requests. This collection contains approximately 8,000 specimens of pinned and alcohol preserved material as well as approximately 23 type specimens. Over the next 10 years the collection will see active growth and development through the activities of Svenson and collaborators. Visiting the collection at the CMNH is welcomed. Please direct all inquiries to Gavin Svenson regarding this collection or loan of material.

Cabinets in place at CMNH–

Unpacking the drawers and moving them into the cabinets–