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The Canadian National Collection
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of Insects, Arachnids and Nematodes
The Research Branch ofAgriculture andAgri-Food Thefirst insectcollection atAAFC dates backto
Canada (AAFC) is home to one ofthe world's finest 1886 when the Experimental Farm system was first
resources in support of biodiversity research and established.The CNC is one ofthe longestcontinuous
conservation.The Canadian National Collection of Insects, programs atAAFC, originating in 1886 when James
Arachnids and Nematodes (CNC) is atop-notch working Fletcherdonated his private collection after hewas
collection located atthe K.W. Neatby Building ofthe appointed asthefirst Dominion entomologist.
Eastern Cereal and Oilseed Research Centre (ECORC) His appointmentwasthe resultofan order-in-council
in Ottawa.The collection, which contains approximately strongly recommended byWilliam Saunders, the first
16 million specimens, is one ofthe five largest directorofthe Experimental Farm Branch.
catalogues in the world. Research Branch scientists
routinely use the collection to conserve Canada's The CNC is one ofthe five largestcollections of its
biodiversity in a numberofways. For instance, the CNC kind in the world.The CNC contains approximately
helpsthem: 16 million specimens of insects, spiders, mites and
rapidly identify unknown species and develop control roundworms (nematodes), and is one of the preeminent
measures to reduce invasive alien species in Canada; national collections in the world.Though more than
% support publication of books such as "Canada and its 75% ofthe collection originates from NorthAmerica, it
Insect Fauna", "Butterflies of Canada" and "Insects of contains specimens of species from all overthe Earth.
theYukon"; and
B identify and answer questions on insects, arachnids The oldest insects in the CNC are about75 million
and nematodes. years old. In addition to existing species, the CNC
houses a large collection offossil insects in Canadian
Cretaceous amberfrom Medicine Hat,Alberta, and
Cedar Lake, Manitoba, dating backto the age of
the dinosaurs.
Fast facts
Over60,000species of insects and relatives live in
CNC
about the Canada, but half ofthem are unknown.Although
over 35,000 named species of insects, spiders, mites,
and roundworms are known to occur in Canada,
The Canadian National Collection of Insects, scientists believe thatthere is aboutthe same number
Arachnids and Nematodes was transferred toAAFC of species here that have yetto be catalogued. Research
because ofa firethatravagedthe Parliament Branch scientists working with the CNC are tackling the
1 1916. Following the disasterof 1916, taskof differentiating, describing and naming these
members of Parliament moved totheVictoria Museum. new species.
That made things pretty crowded there, so the museum's
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insect collection was combined with the one belonging to AgricultureandAqri-FoodCanada/ ^p'
the federal Department ofAgriculture in 1917.The AgricultureetAgroalimentaireCanada
resulting merger became the Canadian National CanadianAgricultureLibrary
Collection (CNC). BibiiothequeCanaoiennedeI'agriculture
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Ottawa Ontario
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The CNC's curators are world experts in different The identification of pests,their natural enemies,
groups of insects a—nd relatives.These scientists are and other beneficial species is keyto
primarilytaxonomists they identify, describe and name environmental and agricultural sustainability.
newlydiscovered speciesfrom Canadaand aroundthe Partofthe workof Research Branch taxonomists isto
world. Specialistsfocuson differentaspects ofthe identify pests that attackour crops and livestock, as well
collection, from beetlesto mites and more. CNC as their natural enemies and other beneficial species in
taxonomistsoften getrequestsfromall overtheworld to Canada.To know whatspecies are involved isthe first
find outwhethera specimen has already been described step towards sustainable management of ecosystems.
orisa new, native orintroduced species. Once you knowthe identity, you then have accessto all
the known information on thatspecies and can develop
Bodyfeatures are one ofthe bestways to classify biologically based management strategies.
insects. Insects have developed amazingly elaborate sex
organsthat allow mating onlywith members ofthe same The CNC helps keep invasive alien species outof
species.These sex organs are often the most useful Canada,thereby helping to protectour agriculture
characteristics for distinguishing species. Different and environment.Thousands of insects, arachnids,
species have also evolved specific songs and perfumes nematodes, and their relatives are submitted each year
thatthe other gendercan detect miles awaywhen looking tothe National Identification Servicefor identification.
fora mate. This work is done bythe CNC taxonomists. Many ofthese
samples come from plantand animal products-such as
Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) can be used to flowers, fruits, packaging wood - broughtfrom overseas
identify species ofinsects or relatives.Although and intercepted atour borders.The accurate
taxonomists generally use bodycharacteristicsto identification ofthese insects by ourtaxonomists is
distinguish species, some species arejust too much alike crucial: ifthe species are deemed a dangerto ourcrops
forthis to always work.That's when scientists turn to the orwilderness areas, then steps must be taken to prevent
studyof DNAto find the answers. Several CNC them from establishing themselves in Canada.
taxonomists regularly use DNAto identify species and
solve problems related to crop pests or invasive species.
Most insects are beneficial to humans.The majority
ofspecimens housed in the CNC are directly or indirectly
helpful to humans by keeping crop pests in check, or by
keeping ecosystems sustainable through plant pollination,
decomposition, nutrientcycling and the provision offood
for largeranimals.
One ofthe bestways tofight insect pests isto
have other insects do itforyou. Mostcrop and
livestock pests have been introduced accidentally
from other parts oftheworld. Fortunately, these
pests havetheirown natural enemies, predators and
parasitoidsthatfeed on them. Pest populations can be
kept below damaging thresholds by making conditions
morefavourablefor native predators and parasitoids or
bycarefully introducing biocontrol agentsfrom the area
oforigin ofthe pest.This approach helps reduce risks
associated with chemical control on human health and the
environment. CNCtaxonomistsworkwith biological control
specialists in Canadaand around the world to develop
biological control strategiesforcrop and animals pests.
©HerMajestytheQueeninRightofCanada,2007
CATA52-80/2-2007E
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ISBN978-0-662-47070-0
AAFCNo.10329E
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LaCollectionrationalecanadienne6'insectes,d'arachnldesetdenematodes
