The McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity represents the largest collections-based research and education center in the world focused on butterflies and moths. The collections are taxonomically comprehensive and contain more than 10 million specimens, which are widely used by an ever-growing global community of students and scientists. The Center documents past and present patterns of biological diversity and forms the basis for research ranging from climate change and emerging agricultural pests, to evolution and biodiversity conservation.
Milestones and momentum
Looking back at our first 20 years helps shape our vision of what we hope to accomplish in the years to come. From extensive collections to innovative research to conservation initiatives, our community of scientists, students, volunteers and supporters has been making fundamental strides in our understanding of the vital role butterflies and moths play in the natural world.
Celebrating 20 YearsLatest Research
Chasing the rare arogos skipper butterfly from Florida fields to lab
With their triangular shape and golden-orange wings, the eastern arogos skipper (Atrytone arogos arogos) butterflies seemed to wave down the…
Scientists lay out what we do and don’t yet know about moths and butterflies
Key points Scientists have published a broad review of what they’ve learned about moths and butterflies over the last few…
Butterfly mimicry reveals a supercharged biodiversity feedback loop
Key points Scientists constructed a family tree for butterflies in the genus Adelpha, which are native to North and South…
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McGuire Center News
Lead Instructors from Around the Country Come Together to Train the Next Generation of Lepidopterists
The Southwestern Research Station (SWRS) is situated in the Chiricahua Mountains of southeast Arizona, a rugged terrain and an arid…
Taxonomic Research at the McGuire Center
Taxonomy is the science of naming, describing, and classifying plants, animals, fungi, and microbes based on shared characteristics such as…
McGuire Center Faculty Spotlight: Keith Willmott, Curator of Lepidoptera
In nature, like in everyday life, patience is a virtue and time is invaluable. In fact, the complete transformation of…