The status of insect identification services and insect collection resources in Malawi

Extract

The importance of insect identification services and the value of a quality insect collection to agricultural development in the countries of Africa do not need to be re-emphasized. This fact has been mentioned time and again and, indeed, such an accepted value is the motive force behind this workshop. From what has been said, it should be clear that insect identification services and insect collections cannot correctly be evaluated separately. Each relies on the quality of the other. Without an extensive insect collection, wellcurated and up-to-date nomenclature-wise identification services, if they are provided, are poor and likely to be inaccurate. Conversely, if a professional insect collection is to be developed and maintained, it will only come through the efforts of a competent entomologist specifically given such responsibility.