After some unpacking of boxes, assembling of microscopes, signing of paperworks, and drinking of coffees, I am now at the helm of Texas’s second largest insect collection. The University of Texas Insect Collection coalesced over the past decade or so largely through the efforts of my friend and photography co-conspirator John Abbott, and I feel I am borrowing the collection more than running it.
I suppose that’s always the case with biological collections, though. We hold in trust things those in the past deemed useful for their counterparts in the future.
Good luck Alex. you are a lucky person.
All the best
Dave Rentz
Thanks Dave! I feel lucky indeed.
Congratulations you sound like Eciton hamatum in a wasp nest!
Hopefully I’ll do less damage.
The pitcher plant at Iron Range is Nepenthes mirabilis – it is the only species at that location and further south in the Wet Tropics. Two other species, N. tenax and N. rowaniae, also occur on far northern Cape York.
Gary W Wilson
Thanks for the ID, Gary! I’ll update the website shortly.
Oh hooray for new adventures there Alex. Looking forward to hearing about your journey in Texas! And how those boxes look in another 12 months….. Kirsti
Thanks Kirsti! Rest assured those boxes will be full of ants in 12 months.
Put some sugar into the drawers and you’ll see them full of ants in a few days. 😉
Good luck!
Great to see you getting installed – A wonderful beginning to what I hope will be a long and rewarding time there. Best wishes!
Excellent news. I am looking forward to learning about your adventures in Texas.
Good luck Alex. I am very proud, to See you back at work.
Best regards Franz
That’s great news, Alex! I’m so happy for you. Are you going to keep some AHB while you’re in Texas?
Please show us some photos from Texas 🙂