The Rothamsted Insect Survey Sample Archive

The Rothamsted Insect Survey (RIS) collects samples of flying invertebrates with a network of 12.2 metre tall suction-traps, an activity funded by the BBSRC. Since 1974 samples have been systematically labelled and stored in 95% ethanol with 5% glycerol for future scientific use.

Archive Samples We estimate that the archive contains at least 250 million individual invertebrates

Open Access - Sharing our collections with the world

The RIS encourages the use of the sample archive for learning and scientific discovery, and is open to academic visitors and citizen scientists alike. Visitors are welcome but we request that an appointment is made with the archive manager, in the first instance who will be on hand to facilitate visits. Alternatively, we can send samples out on loan to those who are unable to visit but again, please get in touch to discuss your needs.

RIS archive slides The RIS archive has enabled the study of the population genetics of cryptic aphids species such as the currant-lettuce aphid (Nasonovia ribisnigri) over nearly two decades.

Impact - a wide range of fundamental and applied uses

There are more than 250,000 samples from traps around England available for study, comprising more than 150 million individual invertebrates. The archive has been used for biodiversity research resulting in high-impact papers and has formed the basis for several PhD projects

Diptera and Coleoptera samples Samples are primarily Diptera and Coleoptera but many other taxa are present