“It is of the utmost importance that these should be identified, that is, the Plant Board should learn what they are, whether they are new to the State of Florida and whether of an injurious nature. Only by such vigilance can the introduction or spread of new pests be prevented.“

— Dr. Wilmon Newell, 1915 —

First Director of the Division of Plant Industry

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Division of Plant Industry is the hosting institution for the Florida State Collection of Arthropods, FSCA. The division maintains and develops the collection, which houses specimens from around the world and is ranked among the top 5 North American entomological collections. The collection features thousands of drawers, slides and vials containing over 12 million prepared specimens. Millions more specimens are held in bulk alcohol containers and various dry samples.

The FSCA contributes to the department’s mission of protecting Florida’s agriculture and natural resources by serving as a major reference collection for the many pests routinely submitted for identification.