Dr. Bonnie Blaimer
Scientist / (Senior) Scientist
Sub-collection
Hymenoptera and Neuroptera
The Hymenoptera and Neuropterida sub-collection comprises around 2.3 million wasps, bees, ants, sawflies and lacewings from around the world. Its diversity of species and type specimens makes it an internationally important research infrastructure.
Overview
The Hymenoptera and Neuropterida sub-collection is among the world's leading scientific collections in its field. It comprises around 2.3 million specimens representing approximately 235,000 species, including more than 11,400 type specimens. The collection covers representatives of the Hymenoptera (wasps, bees, ants and sawflies) and the Neuropterida (lacewings and their relatives).
Most specimens are preserved as pinned dry preparations. In addition, the sub-collection includes around 125,000 specimens preserved in alcohol, approximately 28,000 microscopic preparations, about 10,000 larvae, 2,200 cocoons, 238 nests, and 1,100 leaves bearing mines and galls. The material originates from all major biogeographical regions of the world.
The sub-collection also includes specialised library holdings covering Hymenoptera and Neuropterida. Among them is the Drory Library, one of the world's most important historical specialist libraries on the honey bee, comprising more than 1,800 volumes. It entered the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin in 1904 as part of the estate of its founder, Edward Drory.
Access
The sub-collection is available for scientific research by prior arrangement with the scientific collection managers. Workspace is available on site. Please contact the responsible collection staff at hymenoptera.neuropterida@mfn.berlin.
Since 2013, complete insect drawers and individual specimens have been digitised in high resolution. Selected specimens are also available as three-dimensional digital models. In 2021, large-scale digitisation of parts of the sub-collection began alongside the rehousing of historical material according to modern conservation standards. Digital images are available online, enabling researchers to study specimens while minimising handling of the originals.
Contact
Prof. Dr. Michael Ohl
Scientific Head of Collection
Stefanie Krause
Collection Management
History
The present-day sub-collection brings together several major historical collections, including those of Heinrich Friese (1860–1948), Johann Christoph Friedrich Klug (1775–1856), Hans Bischoff (1852–1923), Hans Stitz (1878–1942) and Arnold Foerster (1810–1884). Heinrich Friese's bee collection, which contains species and type specimens from every continent, is particularly renowned.
Like many historical natural history collections, this sub-collection also contains extensive material acquired in colonial contexts, particularly from the former German colonies. These historical origins are now critically examined from both scientific and historical perspectives.
Since the 1990s, the sub-collection has continued to expand through fieldwork, particularly in the Afrotropical region – with a focus on southern Africa – and in Southeast Asia.
Research
The sub-collection provides an essential resource for taxonomic, phylogenetic, evolutionary and behavioural research. Its exceptional diversity of species and type specimens supports both the description of new species and investigations into the remarkable evolutionary diversification of the Hymenoptera. Scientific catalogues are available for all major groups.
A current research focus examines the evolution of Hymenoptera in collaboration with international partners. Researchers have shown that the transition from a predominantly parasitic lifestyle to plant-associated feeding strategies contributed substantially to the extraordinary diversification of bees, wasps and ants. This evolutionary shift is closely linked to the radiation of flowering plants and underpins many of today's pollination services.
Further research investigates the evolution of eusocial Hymenoptera. The evolution of the sting and its venom played a key role in the emergence of complex social behaviour. In addition, researchers study the ecological importance of wasps and parasitoid wasps as natural enemies of numerous insect species, highlighting their significant role in biological pest control.