Insects

Presque Isle is home to many insects, with numerous unique species.  As of 2009, the Natural History Museum housed more than 100 species of Lepidoptera, more than 40 species of Coleoptera, and more than 20 species of Odonata from Presque Isle.  Representatives of other orders include:  Diptera, Ephemeroptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Mecoptera, Megaloptera, Neuroptera, Orthoptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera.

Rare species in the collection include:

ODONATA: Argia sedula, Argia tibialis, Calopteryx aequabilis, Aeshna tuberculifer, Gomphus fraternus, Gomphus viridifrons, and Somatochlora forcipata

LEPIDOPTERA: Boloria selene myrina, Coenonympha tullia, Lycaena epixanthe, Satyrium acadium

COLEOPTERA: Cicindela hirticollis

EPHEMEROPTERA: Hexagenia rigida, Litobranchia recurvata

TRICHOPTERA: Oligostomis ocelligera, Oligostomis pardalis

A synoptic collection of mosquitoes of northwest Pennsylvania is part of the collection.  A special collection of tiger beetles includes specimens from the following states:  AZ, IA, IL, IN, MI, NM, NJ, OH, OK, PA, SD, TX, and WY.