Geoff Martin interview

[Pete Eeles]

And the next interview is ... Geoff Martin, the Lepidoptera Collections Manager at the Natural History Museum.

I had the pleasure of meeting Geoff when I visited the museum earlier in the year, where we were given a tour of the collections and the opportunity to look at various bits and bobs. Anyway, if you have any specific questions you'd like me to ask Geoff, then fire away.

Felix (Piers) will be joining me for the visit, where we also hope to photograph specimens of extinct subspecies and other rarities for potential inclusion on the website. For example, British Large Coppers!

Cheers,

- Pete

[Lee Hurrell]

Hi Pete,

I'm very jealous! Since I was a lad I've long held a big desire to visit the NHM collections and back then I thought being a museum they would be on display. I was a bit disappointed when I found out they were not generally accessible to the public!

To be fair though I have never investigated how to arrange a visit, or if it's even possible...

So, a few questions.

1) Is it possible to arrange a visit to see the wonders hidden away in drawers at the NHM?

2) Could I have a job please? This is only slightly tongue in cheek; Is Geoff ever in need of help, even on a volunteer basis?

3) How many specimens do the Lepidoptera collections hold?

4) Do the public send things in, either for ID or for the collection? I'd imagine the big cabinets of eminent collectors past must get donated in time...

oh, and 5) perhaps an obvious one, What's Geoff's favourite specimen?

Thanks

Lee

[Pete Eeles]

Since I was a lad I've long held a big desire to visit the NHM collections and back then I thought being a museum they would be on display. I was a bit disappointed when I found out they were not generally accessible to the public!

Thanks Lee - good input.

When I last met Geoff, he told a story of how unscrupulous Victorians would visit the museum, and hide specimens inside their top hats! Until one fell off to reveal all, apparently. Unfortunately, several collections have been plundered in more recent times too, so security is a very big issue for the BMNH.

Cheers,

- Pete

[Matsukaze]

Could recent advances in DNA and isotope analysis do something to resolve the origins of some of the more contentious specimens held in museums - for instance, allegedly British examples of Arran Brown and Scarce Copper?

[Pete Eeles]

Any more questions (the interview is taking place this coming Tuesday morning)?

Cheers,

- Pete

[Dave McCormick]

I don't know if this seems like a good question, and I know all the specimins hold some sort of scientific importance, "Is there anything in the collection of lepidoptera that has more important scientific significance than something else in the collection?"

Or this question, asuming its a good question to ask, sorry Matsukaze for taking the first part of your question but it fits here "Could recent advances in DNA and isotope analysis tell us why the Black Veined White went extinct in the UK? Currently there are only some theories with no clear evidence to anything."

[ChrisC]

do/did many collectors/ rearers treat pupae to environmental/ temperature changes to achieve abberations?

Chris

[Trev Sawyer]

Dave/Chris,
Good questions, but I think you may be too late... I think the interview was last Tuesday?

Trev

[Piers]

Indeed... see Pete's blog.

[ChrisC]

it's been a long day, i had even read petes blog during the week too.

[Dave McCormick]

aw crad, been to busy to even know about it and forgot to read the date

[Pete Eeles]

Interview now posted:

http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/reports_geoffmartin.php

Cheers,

- Pete

[Zonda]

Had a look at the interview, and that is fascinating. Gotta be one of the most awesome features on this site. I can remember as a lad seeing numerous cases of butterflies in the Dorset County Museum. I often wonder where they are. Nice work you two. Maybe one day, pics all of those specimens will be available to browse online.

[Piers]

Had a look at the interview, and that is fascinating. Gotta be one of the most awesome features on this site. I can remember as a lad seeing numerous cases of butterflies in the Dorset County Museum. I often wonder where they are. Nice work you two. Maybe one day, pics all of those specimens will be available to browse online.

Hi Zonda,
As far as I am aware Dorset County Museum still have a couple of very important collections; not the least being the 'Wilfred Parkinson-Curtis'. It's available to view by appointment only, but don't let that put you off; these are essentially public property...!

Felix.
(that's such an awful photo of me! I'm so embarrassed)

[Mikhail]

Just looked at this interview. The most fascinating thing for me was seeing the extraordinary resemblance of the Australian Cossula magnifica to the unrelated Buff-tip; a fine example of convergent evolution.

Misha