Essig Museum of Entomology

The museum's origins date back to the 1880s, with the university's earliest teaching collection.

After entomologist Edward Oliver Essig joined the faculty in 1914, he began to expand its collections.

The research collection, starting with 10,000-15,000 specimens, was formalized in 1939 as part of the California Insect Survey (Experiment Station Project 1205), and in 1972 was named the Essig Museum of Entomology.

Historically, the museum's primary geographical emphasis has been on western North America, with a focus on surveying the insects of California.

Large microscope slide and alcohol-preserved collections are also maintained, as well as thousands of specimens in envelopes and Riker mounts.