Neil Erickson donation of Lepidoptera to the ARC

Mr. Neil Erickson of Wittmore, MI, has graciously donated his insect collection to the ARC.

Neil Erickson

Through the efforts of his granddaughter, who is an MSU student, and family, Mr. Neil Erickson of Wittmore, MI, has graciously donated his insect collection to the ARC. Gary Parsons and Mo Nielsen drove to the Erickson home and farm in Whittmore to examine the collection, only to find that it was housed in a magnificent room containing large displays of rocks, shells, and many other natural wonders besides the insects. It was difficult to leave with just the insect specimens. Mr. Erickson was a bus driver for the local school district, and it turns out the Erickson’s had hosted local school groups to their home property to observe nature both indoors and out. Neil was also a friend of Robert Dreisbach, who was influential in starting him in collecting insects. The Erickson insect collection comprised 2,357 specimens, with many butterflies and moths collected from the Whittmore area, but also from elsewhere in the US.

Erickson collection
Views of Erickson collection in his home.

Erickson collection
Views of Erickson collection in his home.

Erickson collection
Views of Erickson collection in his home.

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