STRI Synoptic Insect Collection was begun on Barro Colorado Island in 1977 by Robert Silberglied and Annette Aiello as a general collection to give researchers an overview of the BCI insect fauna and to permit preliminary identifications for research vouchers. Years, later the collection was moved to the Tupper site where it now occupies 150 Cornell drawers and includes voucher material from STRI visitors and staff. The collection is strongest in Asilidae (robber flies), Pentatomidae (stink bugs), Reduviidae (assassin bugs), and Passalidae (betsy beetles) groups that were targeted by visiting specialists.
