College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Entomology

The Albert J. Cook Arthropod Research Collection (ARC) is one of Michigan State University’s most valuable scientific resources, housing millions of insect specimens that support research, teaching and outreach in entomology. The collection plays a critical role in documenting insect biodiversity, tracking invasive species and preserving specimens that continue to inform scientific discovery long after they are collected.

Much of that work happens behind the scenes, made possible by the curators, staff and student assistants who organize, maintain and update the collection to keep it scientifically relevant. This Q&A highlights William Ford, an undergraduate entomology major whose work in wasp curation helps ensure the ARC remains a trusted resource for researchers and educators.

Q: What got you interested in studying insects?

A: I grew up with a healthy exposure to nature and always gravitated towards insects and other arthropods. I remember watching plenty of planet earth (the BBC documentary series) with my family when I was younger, and trips to the library always involved checking out photo encyclopedias full of strange animals that I would obsess over. I only started considering studying entomology in college after I volunteered at the University of Michigan’s insect collection on a whim. The manager of the collection, Taro Eldredge, taught me the basics of specimen preparation and showed me what a career in entomology could look like. That was my first introduction to working at a research collection, and I was hooked after working there a few times over the summer after my sophomore year of high school.

Q: How did you first become interested in wasps and insect collections?

After I started exploring entomology a little more thoroughly, I attended the online WaspID Course that was hosted by Louis Nastasi, a postdoc in the Forbes lab at the University of Iowa. Taking that course showed me the vast diversity of the order Hymenoptera and I was really impressed by the variety of morphology and life histories present in the group. While the other large insect orders are impressive, I find that none of them really compare to what you can find in Hymenoptera. Plus, some recent research suggests that it’s actually the largest order of insects, so there’s plenty of room for discovering new species and interesting biological information. The WaspID course also made me realize that it's totally possible to pursue a career studying insects, which inspired me to major in entomology at MSU.

Q: How did you start working with the A.J. Cook Arthropod Research Collection?

A: I was lucky enough to be awarded a Professorial Assistantship position which allows undergraduates to spend two years working in a research lab (or in my case a collection) with payment from the university. My first choice for placement was the ARC, and I’m glad to have been chosen for the position. Anthony Cognato and Sarah Smith have both been incredibly helpful in teaching me the basics of working at the collection and have given me the opportunity to explore independent projects.

Q: What do you do day-to-day as part of your work with wasp curation?

A: So far, I’ve updated the collection’s ant holdings and I’m currently working on updating the wasp family Pteromalidae, which was recently revised. The revision split 26 new families from Pteromalidae, 3 of which I split from the ARCs Pteromalid specimens. This work has involved referencing databases of current taxonomic information and making sure that our collection reflects what is in the literature.

Q: What new skills or techniques have you learned while working at the ARC?

A: Curating insects requires a good eye for organization, which has been something I’ve needed to get better at. I’ve also improved my insect identification skills and have a better understanding of insect anatomy.

Q: How has your time at the ARC changed the way you think about entomology?

A: I’ve realized how collaborative entomology is, even though I’ve mostly been working alone on projects. None of the work I’ve been doing would’ve been possible without the people who collected, identified, and organized the insects. I find it really inspiring that some of the most basic work in the collection requires the effort of multiple people, even if only one person is working on a particular project. I’ve also realized that there are an almost endless number of projects I could work on at the collection. I could easily work here for decades and still find new things to do.

Q: Are there certain insects or research areas you’re excited to study in the future?

A: After I finish updating the Pteromalid wasps, I will likely start working on a checklist for the Michigan species of the family Dryinidae. This is a fascinating family of Aculeate wasps that parasitize leafhoppers. They have highly specialized forelimbs that end in spring loaded raptorial claws. The knowledge surrounding their biology is limited, and there has yet to be a checklist or key of the species present anywhere in North America.

Q: What advice would you give to someone in high school who is interested in entomology?

A: I would encourage high schoolers to be persistent and search for any opportunities you can find near you. Don’t be afraid to email people who work at universities, as they will at least be able to point you in the right direction. The experiences that have taught me the most about entomology have come from cold-emailing people and expressing my interest. I would also recommend looking into birding groups, conservation organizations, or nature centers, as learning more about the natural world will make you a better entomologist, and you’ll probably run into other entomologists in those groups. I joined a watershed conservation organization in my hometown, which isn’t necessarily entomology focused, but I was able to help them identify aquatic insect species that they collected during river quality monitoring.