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Global Entomology Coalition

Our mission is to inspire worldwide environmental stewardship by fostering a cultural shift in the perception of insects through research, education, and conservation.


Join our community of supporters and become a member today. Your membership not only grants you access to exclusive benefits but also directly supports critical insect research, conservation and education programs! Thank you for choosing to be part of our cause!

Join our community of supporters and become a member today. Your membership not only grants you access to exclusive benefits but also directly supports critical insect research, conservation and education programs!Thank you for choosing to be part of our cause!

GEC Memberships

The Great Insect Quest is an ongoing worldwide insect biodiversity project for adventurers of all ages. From your backyard to mountain peaks, remote jungles to city parks, every outdoor space becomes part of your mission.By participating, you&rsquo;re not just taking photos, you&#39;re fueling discovery. New species are always being described from iNaturalist observations, and your snapshot could reveal something unknown to science. Whether you&rsquo;re a seasoned naturalist or on your very first bug hunt, you&rsquo;re invited to join the quest!<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1765328136/wysiwyg/jzckie2wanrshdrncrgz.jpg" style="width: 206px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; max-width: calc(100% - 10px); position: relative; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;" fr-original-style="width: 206px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; max-width: calc(100% - 10px);" fr-original-class="fr-draggable"> Every insect is interesting, and every sighting&nbsp;is a story.Help us understand the extraordinary life that surrounds us and make insect discovery a part of your story!The Great Insect Quest is a worldwide insect biodiversity project for adventurers of all ages. From your backyard to mountain peaks, remote jungles to city parks, every outdoor space becomes part of your mission.By participating, you&rsquo;re not just taking photos, you&#39;re fueling discovery. New species are always being described from iNaturalist observations, and your snapshot could reveal something unknown to science. Whether you&rsquo;re a seasoned naturalist or on your very first bug hunt, you&rsquo;re invited to join the quest!<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1765328194/wysiwyg/asicoaieeiyqv7wuwumn.jpg" style="width: 174px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; position: relative; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;" fr-original-style="width: 174px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable"> Every insect is interesting, and every sighting is a story.Help us understand the extraordinary life that surrounds us and make insect discovery a part of your story!

The Great Insect Quest is an ongoing worldwide insect biodiversity project for adventurers of all ages. From your backyard to mountain peaks, remote jungles to city parks, every outdoor space becomes part of your mission.By participating, you’re not just taking photos, you're fueling discovery. New species are always being described from iNaturalist observations, and your snapshot could reveal something unknown to science. Whether you’re a seasoned naturalist or on your very first bug hunt, you’re invited to join the quest!Every insect is interesting, and every sighting is a story.Help us understand the extraordinary life that surrounds us and make insect discovery a part of your story!The Great Insect Quest is a worldwide insect biodiversity project for adventurers of all ages. From your backyard to mountain peaks, remote jungles to city parks, every outdoor space becomes part of your mission.By participating, you’re not just taking photos, you're fueling discovery. New species are always being described from iNaturalist observations, and your snapshot could reveal something unknown to science. Whether you’re a seasoned naturalist or on your very first bug hunt, you’re invited to join the quest!Every insect is interesting, and every sighting is a story.Help us understand the extraordinary life that surrounds us and make insect discovery a part of your story!

The Great Insect Quest!

Working with our partners with the Organization for Tropical Studies at Skukuza Research Station, we will be documenting, discovering, and observing behavior and ecological impacts of insects in Kruger National Park, South Africa... one of the largest national parks and protected areas in Africa. We begin with pollinators and dung beetles, surveying populations and species diversity at various plots containing a range of megafauna herbivory and disturbance levels to assess impacts of large mammals (elephants, rhinos, giraffes, etc.) on habitat dynamics.Additionally, for every $3,500 USD, we can sponsor one participant (regardless of academic background, nationality, or experience) to join us at no cost and gain valuable field skills and experience. Project Deliverables:<ul fr-original-style="font-family:jura,sans-serif; font-size:17px; font-weight:bold;" style="font-family: jura, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold; box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Discovery and description of new insect species, including taxonomic research and peer-reviewed publications</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Voucher specimens deposited in Skukuza Natural History collections for long-term scientific study</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Biodiversity datasets and species records documenting insect diversity.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Photographic and behavioral documentation of insect species in natural habitats</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Conservation data supporting protection and expansion of protected areas.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Public engagement through expedition participation, field training, and science communication</li></ul>

Working with our partners with the Organization for Tropical Studies at Skukuza Research Station, we will be documenting, discovering, and observing behavior and ecological impacts of insects in Kruger National Park, South Africa... one of the largest national parks and protected areas in Africa. We begin with pollinators and dung beetles, surveying populations and species diversity at various plots containing a range of megafauna herbivory and disturbance levels to assess impacts of large mammals (elephants, rhinos, giraffes, etc.) on habitat dynamics.Additionally, for every $3,500 USD, we can sponsor one participant (regardless of academic background, nationality, or experience) to join us at no cost and gain valuable field skills and experience.Project Deliverables:Discovery and description of new insect species, including taxonomic research and peer-reviewed publicationsVoucher specimens deposited in Skukuza Natural History collections for long-term scientific studyBiodiversity datasets and species records documenting insect diversity.Photographic and behavioral documentation of insect species in natural habitatsConservation data supporting protection and expansion of protected areas.Public engagement through expedition participation, field training, and science communication

Kruger National Park: Pollinators, Recyclers, and beyond - Megafauna Herbivory & Disturbance Impact.

Already having contributed to the discovery of 6 new species (2 new genera), range expansions, and hundreds of other insect records, our work is conducted at the thinnest part of the Panama isthmus in collaboration with CREA: Panama, Cocobolo Nature Reserve, and the University of Panama, our goal is to document biodiversity of insects, discover new species, and protect one of the most critical and unique migratory habitats in the world.Additionally, for every $3,500 USD, we can sponsor one participant (regardless of academic background, nationality, or experience) to join us at no cost and gain valuable field skills and experience. Project Deliverables:<ul fr-original-style="font-family:jura,sans-serif; font-size:17px; font-weight:bold;" style="font-family: jura, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold; box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Discovery and description of new insect species, including taxonomic research and peer-reviewed publications</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Voucher specimens deposited in University of Panama collections for long-term study</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Biodiversity datasets and species records documenting insect diversity</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Photographic and behavioral documentation of tropical insect species in natural habitats</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Conservation data supporting protection of critical migratory rainforest ecosystems</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Public engagement through expedition participation, field training, and science communication</li></ul>

Already having contributed to the discovery of 6 new species (2 new genera), range expansions, and hundreds of other insect records, our work is conducted at the thinnest part of the Panama isthmus in collaboration with CREA: Panama, Cocobolo Nature Reserve, and the University of Panama, our goal is to document biodiversity of insects, discover new species, and protect one of the most critical and unique migratory habitats in the world.Additionally, for every $3,500 USD, we can sponsor one participant (regardless of academic background, nationality, or experience) to join us at no cost and gain valuable field skills and experience.Project Deliverables:Discovery and description of new insect species, including taxonomic research and peer-reviewed publicationsVoucher specimens deposited in University of Panama collections for long-term studyBiodiversity datasets and species records documenting insect diversityPhotographic and behavioral documentation of tropical insect species in natural habitatsConservation data supporting protection of critical migratory rainforest ecosystemsPublic engagement through expedition participation, field training, and science communication

Mesoamerican Biological Corridor: Insect Biodiversity Survey & New Species Discovery

Across the forests, deserts, wetlands, and mountains of the United States live some of the most remarkable insects on Earth: stick insects (Phasmida) and praying mantises (Mantodea). Masters of camouflage and stealth, these insects represent extraordinary examples of evolution, behavior, and ecological adaptation.Despite their incredible defensive adaptations, biosynthesized chemicals, and ecological importance, they remain surprisingly understudied in the United States. Records are scattered across old publications, museum collections, and occasional citizen science observations. Many species have poorly documented ranges, and some may still be unknown to science.Even more surprisingly, there is no modern, comprehensive field guide covering the stick insects and mantises of the United States, and many species have never been photographed or documented in detail in the wild. We are launching a multi-year biodiversity survey to change that. Our project will document the Phasmida and Mantodea of the United States, combining field expeditions, scientific photography, specimen collection, and taxonomic research to produce the first modern reference for these incredible insects.

Across the forests, deserts, wetlands, and mountains of the United States live some of the most remarkable insects on Earth: stick insects (Phasmida) and praying mantises (Mantodea). Masters of camouflage and stealth, these insects represent extraordinary examples of evolution, behavior, and ecological adaptation.Despite their incredible defensive adaptations, biosynthesized chemicals, and ecological importance, they remain surprisingly understudied in the United States. Records are scattered across old publications, museum collections, and occasional citizen science observations. Many species have poorly documented ranges, and some may still be unknown to science.Even more surprisingly, there is no modern, comprehensive field guide covering the stick insects and mantises of the United States, and many species have never been photographed or documented in detail in the wild.We are launching a multi-year biodiversity survey to change that.Our project will document the Phasmida and Mantodea of the United States, combining field expeditions, scientific photography, specimen collection, and taxonomic research to produce the first modern reference for these incredible insects.

Discovery Mission: Stick Insects & Mantids of the United States

For every $3,500 USD, we can sponsor one participant (regardless of academic background, nationality, or experience) to join us at no cost on Expedition Entomology to gain valuable field skills and experience. We don&#39;t want to have to charge people to get involved, because financial barriers are one of the number one reasons people don&#39;t pursue field-based science experiences... but unfortunately, it&#39;s costly to conduct field research both domestically and abroad. &nbsp;Your gift can provide a life-changing opportunity for someone to get their hands dirty on one of our public research expeditions.

For every $3,500 USD, we can sponsor one participant (regardless of academic background, nationality, or experience) to join us at no cost on Expedition Entomology to gain valuable field skills and experience.We don't want to have to charge people to get involved, because financial barriers are one of the number one reasons people don't pursue field-based science experiences... but unfortunately, it's costly to conduct field research both domestically and abroad. Your gift can provide a life-changing opportunity for someone to get their hands dirty on one of our public research expeditions.

Send future researchers and citizen scientists into the field

We'll be conducting a broad-based survey of insects in and around the last remaining 4% of North America's tallgrass prairie ecosystem from our campsite in Council Grove, Kansas. Situated close to the geographic center of the United States, it's an area rich in both human and natural history.&nbsp;Throughout the weekend we'll be visiting several private lands and national preserves to record as many insect species as possible during this weekend, including dung beetles, moths, butterflies, grasshoppers, mantids, stick insects, and so much more.This is a perfect mini-expedition for everyone, and particularly those involved in our Great Insect Quest! We provide you with tents (you can bring your own if preferred), all meals and non-alcoholic beverages while you're with us, transporatation between our campsite and survey sites, all entomological equipment, and guided excursions.

Expedition Kansas 2026

Home to the big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, buffalo), Kruger National Park is one of Africa&rsquo;s largest wildlife reserves, spanning nearly 20,000 square kilometers in northeastern South Africa. This vast and ecologically diverse reserve extends from the Limpopo River in the north to the Crocodile River in the south, bordering Mozambique and Zimbabwe, creating a transfrontier conservation area with neighboring reserves. Kruger&rsquo;s remarkable biodiversity is supported by a range of ecosystems, from open savannas and acacia woodlands to dense riverine forests and mopane scrublands.&nbsp; Our research focuses on how megafauna herbivory and disturbance shape insect community structure, or documenting how large mammals influence dung beetle and pollinator populations.Our focus will be on Scarabaeidae (dung beetles) and key pollinator groups. Using a variety of sampling methods, including dung-baited pitfall traps, custom-built Flight Intercept Traps, Sweep Netting, pan traps, butterfly traps, and active netting, we&rsquo;ll survey insect diversity across gradients of grazing and trampling.We&rsquo;ll also document plant&ndash;pollinator interactions, learn proper identification techniques, and collect / mount specimens for future study.Because we&#39;re working on important research and conservation initiatives, our research permits extend to you, our participants and provide rare opportunity to step into the heart of Kruger National Park on foot, an experience typically reserved for scientists and park staff, unlike a typical safari or tour where visitors remain confined to their vehicles.

Expedition South Africa 2026

The GEC Insect Discovery Center is envisioned as a first-of-its-kind nonprofit community science museum where families, students, and visitors of all ages can explore the incredible world of insects through immersive exhibits, live animal experiences, and hands-on learning. More than a museum, it will be a year-round community resource bringing science to life in ways that spark curiosity, inspire future scientists, and help people of all ages better understand the natural systems that sustain us.&nbsp; By making insects approachable and fascinating, the Center will create meaningful connections between people, biodiversity, and the environment right in their own community. Through interactive exhibits, school and homeschool programs, camps, workshops, and community science initiatives, the Center will provide accessible STEM education and conservation experiences for thousands of residents and visitors each year. Guests won&rsquo;t just observe, they&rsquo;ll participate: collecting real biodiversity data, contributing to actual scientific research, and gaining a deeper appreciation for the essential role insects play in every aspect of a healthy ecosystems. &nbsp;Visitors will have a chance to potentially have their names published in a scientific paper for their hands-on contribution to our research. We combines education, engagement, and impact in a way few museums currently offer. Community support and sponsorship will make this vision possible. Investment in the GEC Insect Discovery Center means investing in local families, stronger science education, environmental stewardship, and a vibrant new cultural destination for the region. Sponsors and donors will help build a lasting institution that inspires curiosity, strengthens community partnerships, and creates measurable education and conservation outcomes for generations to come. But our problem is ... Where should we go? The United States is a big place with millions of unique voices and perspectives, so we don&#39;t want our decision to be decided behind closed doors. &nbsp;We are a community-forward scientific organization, so it only makes sense to democratize the decision and let the community (THAT&#39;S YOU) decide.*<div data-composer-surface="true" fr-original-style="" style="line-height: 1.5; width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;"><div contenteditable="true" data-virtualkeyboard="true" fr-original-style="" style="line-height: 1.5; outline: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) solid 0px; box-sizing: inherit;" translate="no"> Through this campaign, individuals, families, businesses, and organizations can make a donation of any size. You select a preferred state with your contribution. Once we reach our fundraising goal, all votes will be tallied, and the state with the strongest financial support will become the focus of our site selection process, where we will begin actively searching for the ideal location to establish the Center&rsquo;s permanent home.</div> *We must remain in the contiguous 48: sorry Alaska &amp; Hawaii :(All contributions are non-refundable, but tax-deductible at a level in accordance with the law. You&#39;re making a gift with the understanding that we cannot guarantee that your preferred state will be selected.We have requirements, both legal and for infrastructure, and cannot guarantee a specific location, but we&#39;ll do our very best!</div>

Global Entomology Coalition

Global Entomology Coalition

Events

Events

Expedition Kansas 2026

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Expedition South Africa 2026

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Decide Where We Bring Our Insect Discovery Center & Community Science Museum

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GEC Memberships

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The Great Insect Quest!

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Kruger National Park: Pollinators, Recyclers, and beyond - Megafauna Herbivory & Disturbance Impact.

US$0 of US$15,000 goal

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Mesoamerican Biological Corridor: Insect Biodiversity Survey & New Species Discovery

US$0 of US$15,000 goal

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Discovery Mission: Stick Insects & Mantids of the United States

US$0 of US$30,000 goal

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Send future researchers and citizen scientists into the field

US$0 of US$3,500 goal

Donate today

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