Entomologists at Purdue showcased a robot Friday that will help them digitize their extensive insect collection.
The Purdue Entomological Research Collection, or PERC, includes 2 million specimens, some over 100 years old.
To make that collection available to the public online, Purdue is using 3D imaging technology called BugEye, an automated camera used to scan entire drawers of insects and put them into a centralized database.
PERC Director Jennifer Zaspel says making these labeled specimens available online will make it easier for researchers, but will also allow anyone interested in the field to browse the collection.
"With our specimens imaged, digitized and on the web, anybody, literally, will be able to see the insect specimens we have at the PERC, and that's very exciting," she says.
The PERC includes a collection of native Indiana bugs, and a notable bee and dragonfly collection.