Entomology Dry Cabinets
Taiwan used to be the country with the highest density of butterflies and was known as the “Butterfly Kingdom.”
Taiwan used to be the country with the highest density of butterflies and was known as the “Butterfly Kingdom.” Of the 12 butterfly families, 11 can be found in Taiwan, and given the island’s isolation and long periods of evolution, there are over 400 species here, 50 of which are endemic. And butterfly specimen export used to big business for Taiwan.
Dr. Wong’s butterfly specimen collection in Eureka’s custom-designed dry cabinet.
Dr. Wong has always had a personal interest in collecting butterfly specimens. But when master specimen collector Yu Ching-kin, the curator of the Muh Sheng Museum of Entomology, passed away in 2012, Dr. Wong felt it was a duty for him to preserve the beauty of the specimen. Many of which are now extinct.
To store the specialized wooden cases where the specimen is displayed, Dr. Wong uses Eureka Entomology dry cabinets for his collection.
Within Dr. Wong’s specimen collection, there is also a rare Hermaphroditism specimen where they are half male and half female. These types of specimens are results of rare genetic defects. The odds of seeing specimens like these are extremely rare, almost with the same odds as being strike by lightning. Yet, Dr. Wong has quite the collection.
Even rarer in Dr. Wong’s collection are conjoined/Siamese twins butterfly specimens. Notice the pictures below. On the right, the body of the butterfly specimen has two bodies. This is another quite rare form of a genetic defect.
In his collection, Dr. Wong still has the very first specimen he collected while in the first grade over 40 years ago. (below left) As well as a specimen that has been extinct since the 70’s. (below right)
Because of the rarity of the specimen Dr. Wong collects, it is critical for the butterfly specimen to be stored in a humidity-controlled 45%RH-55%RH environment to preserve it for generations to come.