#Australian National Insect Collection

Ru Paul flying for science

Together with our research partners, we have given scientific names to 150 new species in the past year.

A child holding bread with edible insects on it.

Four reasons insects could be a staple in Aussie diets, from zesty tree ants to peanut-buttery bogong moths

Why don't many Australians eat insects? Our new industry roadmap for edible insects explains why we should bring bugs into mainstream diets.

Pinned specimens in our insect collection

Take a virtual tour of our insect collection

We're taking you on a virtual tour of our Australian National Insect Collection from your home. Come inside.

The Very Hungry Spider Wasp, a horror story

Spider wasps are pollinators of beautiful native plants. They’re also body snatchers that parasitise spiders as hosts for their offspring.

Does it taste like chicken? Australian insects a potential new snack

Edible insects are good for the environment as they require only a fraction of the land and water to farm them. Will you try the more sustainable snack?

Fantastic crickets and where to find them

Chances are you’ve heard more crickets than you’ve seen. So how does one identify our elusive backyard buddies? That’s where our new guide book comes in handy: A Guide to Crickets of Australia by You Ning Su and David Rentz.