The Quaternary Entomology Laboratory at North Dakota State University is
one of the largest and most fully equipped facilities of its type.
Personnel of the laboratory specialize in the utilization of chitinous
insect remains, particulary beetles (Coleoptera) from sediments of
Quaternary age for use in paleoclimatic, paleoenvironmental, and
biogeographic analyses. Laboratory research is generally part of an
interdisciplinary effort, with the insects fossils utilized to augment data
obtained by palynologic, plant macrofossil, and other types of analyses.
Current research efforts at the lab focus on fossil insect assemblages from late-glacial and Holocene sites in the United States, central Canada, and southern South America, as well as from sediments of Neogene age in Antarctica. Among our current collaborators are ecologists, palynologists, archaeologists, geomorphologists, vertebrate paleontologists, and entomologists.
Although insect remains can be acquired from cores, it is more desirable to obtain samples in larger quantities. An ideal sampling condition might involve obtaining 5-10 kg of samples per 5- to 10-cm interval from an exposed section of organic silts or sands. These samples are transported back to the lab, where they are processed by washing the sediments through 300-um sieves, generally followed by a flotation involving kerosene. The flotant is hand-sorted under a binocular microscope, and the insect remains are mounted onto micropaleontological slides for identification. Other utilizable fossil remains are sorted and stored separately.
The QEL welcomes inquiries about its services. Preliminary analyses of samples to test project feasibility are generally provided at little or no charge. Pre-sorting of fossils in advance of their shipment is desirable.
