The Peale collection restoration project conserved, rehoused, and imaged the Titian Peale Butterfly and Moth collection. This site consists primarily of images of the Peale Boxes and their included specimens. All insects are identified to the lowest level possible, mostly to genus and species, sometimes to family level only. Following scientific convention, the images are organized by the scientific name of the specimen and the specimens placed in a particular box. Although the vast majority of specimens are Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths), other insects are included such as Hymenoptera (e.g. parasitoid wasps of Lepidoptera) and crane flies and other true flies (Diptera).
Serious researchers of Lepidoptera may want to go directly to the search page and search for species (genus &/or species), families, localities or years. The use of the map of Peale's collecting localities may help a researcher if a particular geographic region is desired.
For non-researchers we suggest starting with links to specific butterflies and moths illustrating specific topics. These include invasive, globally extinct, locally extinct and threatened species. We also present one of Peale's moth illustrations, with links to the specimens in his collection we assume he used as references for this illustration. Since Peale's collection was the basis of his own scientific work and also used by others, we highlight one of the specimens used in the scientific description of a species (Type).
From any of these subject images, you may easily view the entire box in which it resides, or view the thumbnail images of all the nearly 100 Boxes. You can also browse the collection by collecting locality or by family.
In addition, images of specimens not in Peale Boxes but attributable to Peale and found in the main collections of The Academy of Natural Sciences (ANSP) and The Carnegie Museum of Natural History (CMNH) are included.
There have been several biographies of Titian Peale. We provide a brief synopsis of the major events of his life and a guide to the literature and links that provide further information.
These specimens would not be accessible without the careful restoration work that repaired and rehoused the boxes and their specimens. This website includes a summary of the procedures employed and illustrated by images of the techniques, including before and after photos of the boxes. Fully detailed procedures employed in the restoration are archived with the collection at The Academy of Natural Sciences.
This work would not be possible without the advisory, financial and in-kind support from a variety of individuals, corporations and foundations. Please take time to view the acknowledgements.
We hope you find this site informative and enjoyable. We encourage you to provide feedback and comments. We especially would appreciate hearing where the use of this site has helped in research, educational, artistic and other projects. Thank you for visiting the Titian Peale Butterfly and Moth Collection!
