The collection of net-winged insects (Neuroptera) at the Naturkundemuseum Stuttgart

The collection of net-winged insects at the Naturkundemuseum Stuttgart (SMNS) contains about 5.000 specimens. The majority of the specimens originate from random collecting events in Germany, the remaining material comes from several countries from all over the world. The digital recording of the collection began in 2024 with the specimens collected in Germany.

The entire collection of Neuroptera and their closest relatives (Raphidioptera, Megaloptera) are also available as drawer scans.

Easy-language version

Net-winged insect collection

The Natural History Museum Stuttgart (SMNS) has a collection of about 5,000 net-winged insects.

Most specimens come from Germany. They were collected at different times and places. The other specimens come from several countries around the world.

The museum started recording the German specimens in digital form in 2024.

The collection also includes close relatives of net-winged insects:

• snakeflies (Raphidioptera)
• alderflies and dobsonflies (Megaloptera)

You can see digital images of all drawers in the collection here:

Drawer scans of the net-winged insect collection

Glossary

Specimen
A specimen is one collected insect in a museum collection.

Digital recording
The museum saves information about the specimens in a digital database.

Drawer scans
Drawer scans are digital images of collection drawers. They show the insects in the drawers.