Albert J. Cook Arthropod Research Collection

Welcome to the Albert J. Cook Arthropod Research Collection (ARC) website. The Collection was started by Professor Albert J. Cook in 1867 and later named in his honor. The ARC now houses close to 1.5 million specimens mounted on pins, slides or stored in alcohol, which are used for research, education, extension services and outreach. The collection is located in the Natural Science building at Michigan State University and is managed by the Department of Entomology. Currently 18 faculty, staff and students help oversee its operations.

Anthony Cognato and Gary Parsons

Access the collection database

Visit Ecdysis to access the collection database. Instructions for searching the database:

Deselect all.
Scroll to Midwest & Plains collections and check The Albert J. Cook Arthropod Research Collection (MSU-MSUC).
Push the Search button in the upper right. This brings you to the search page for the Albert J. Cook Arthropod Research Collection.
Enter family, genus or species and if needed any of the criteria listed below.

News

Gary Parsons’ gift supports research arthropod collection and the Bug House

Published on November 23, 2021
Parsons is sharing an unexpected gift to expand the capacity of the A.J. Cook Collection and bolster outreach at the MSU Bug House.
Remembering professor emeriti Stehr and Hoopingarner

Published on November 22, 2021
MSU Entomology experienced more loss this fall with the deaths of Fred Stehr and Roger Hoopingarner.
Entomology graduate student award results in more butterfly and moth data for global scientists

Published on May 8, 2020
Supported with a Scriber Scholar Award, Erica Fischer has significantly expanded the butterfly and moth database available at MSU for international use.