The Bug Closet (Website) or rather, the University of Central Florida Collection of Arthropods, can be found in the UCF Department of Biology, tucked away on the massive college campus.
What started as a small teaching collection in the early 90s, was expanded to now feature over 550,000 labeled specimens, with thousands more waiting to be identified.
The Bug Closet got its name from its origins as an actual refurbished tiny room/closet that quickly expanded with its growing collections. The collection’s founder, the late Stuart Fullerton, was a research associate at UCF, and when he passed he bequeathed some of his estate to the university to keep the research and the collection going.
The Bug Closet functions as a sort of research library for insects, with samples being shared with colleges and research centers around the world and onsite identification services available.
The Bug Closet is currently expanding its footprint once again and is in search of more storage cabinets for its ever-growing collection, which is open to the public for regular tours. Click HERE to reach out and set up your own visit.
Super cool place!