Vignette 60: The Waite Insect Nematode Collection

The Waite Insect and Nematode Collection, housed across two of the University’s campuses, is a significant resource for agriculture and biodiversity studies. It includes materials from collection sites around Australia from agricultural and natural habitats. 

This scientific curation is merged from three unique South Australian Collections: the Duncan Swan Insect Collection, the Waite Institute Nematode Collection, and the South Australian Research and Development Institute Collection. It houses over 200,000 insect and other arthropod specimens that are dry mounted, in spirit, or on slides. 

Although much of the collection’s nematodes are now with the Australian National Insect Collection, it still retains notable holdings of particular importance to taxonomic research including collections of larvae, as well as significant species’ adult life stages, as part of its pinned collection. Some of the specimens date back over 100 years.

This collection plays a crucial role in biosecurity for diagnostic work and quarantine purposes, helping researchers develop effective management strategies to protect plants from harmful infestations. It is a vital resource for entomological research, aiding in both ecological, agricultural and biosecurity studies.

The University of Adelaide: 150 Years of Making History.  Nurturing excellence. p.84