The Natural History Research and Museum Center at the University of Baghdad, with the support and guidance of the Center’s Director, Assistant Professor Dr. Hanaa Hani Al-Saffar, organized a workshop entitled “Insect Collection and Preservation Techniques” on Monday, June 9, 2026. The workshop was led by Assistant Lecturer Ali Kamel Wanas and presented by Assistant Professor Dr. Hanaa Hani Al-Saffar, with the participation of Lecturer Dr. Suhad Yassin Jassim.
The workshop was held in the Entomology and Invertebrates Laboratory to enhance the practical aspect of the workshop. It included explanations of the types of traps and nets used in insect collection, as well as demonstrations of scientific methods for preserving insects to protect them from external influences.
The workshop aimed to familiarize participants with the optimal use of insect collection tools and their preservation during collection, as well as proper methods for loading and preserving insects for display and study, each according to the insect species, its habitat, and its economic and medical importance. A key outcome of the workshop was the introduction to modern techniques for collecting and preserving insect specimens, including the use of resin technology, which adds aesthetic appeal to the display of specimens. Using electron microscopes and portable lenses to magnify and clarify images of insects in the fields during field surveys, and finally, raising community awareness about the importance of insects and how to deal with them, both in terms of their harm and benefits.
This activity contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education), Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and Goal 15 (Life on Land).
We wish all the instructors at our center success in serving the community, science, and knowledge.
