When entomologist Bert Candusio heard the Central Victorian Regional Insect Collection (CVRIC) he curates had been added to the Global Index of Arthropod Collections listings, he could have hopped with joy.
Currently held in Woodend, the collection now joins the ranks of the CSIRO National Insect Collection, the Australian Museum and the Melbourne Museum, just to name a few.
Mr Candusio said being added to the list enhances the collection’s significance to researchers and scientists everywhere and assist its future development.
“Not only will the CVRIC gain a greater appreciation by entomologists all over the world, but it will also help members of the general public to not only know of its existence, [as well as] its importance from a cultural and scientific perspective,” he said.
Mr Candusio said the collection was already reaping the rewards of being recognised, with an impressive private collection from Ballarat recently donated, and negotiations for the donation of several others down the track on the cards.
He said the CVRIC will also expanding its storage capacity later in 2023, with the addition of 50 more drawer cabinets to cater for the extra insect material set to arrive over the next few years.
In July last year, the CVRIC held the National Entomology Insect Expo in Woodend, with over 6000 visitors buzzing about the Buffalo Sports Stadium over three days. This year’s expo will be held in the first week of November, with the number of exhibitors to double.
“Having the CVRIC here locally is just fantastic and we are looking at making Woodend the centre of the National Entomology Insect Expo for many years to come,” he said.
Elsie Lange
