DOEPKENS INSECT COLLECTION
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ABOUT THE COLLECTION
In 2025, the Department of Entomology received an insect collection on loan from the Doepkens family. Their father, William, born in 1916, had a lifelong hobby of collecting insects on his farm. Together with his children, he amassed a collection contained in 12 boxes as shown in the photo above, consisting of 735 specimens in 9 orders (Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Mantodea, Megaloptera, Odonata, and Orthoptera) collected between 1932 until his death in 2000.
Dr. Lamp taught a course in spring 2026 titled “Special Topics in Entomology “Doepkens Insect Collection: Experience the Process of Curation and Public Display” to get university students involved in developing an educational display using William Doepkens’ insect collection. The students were responsible for identifying and photographing the insect specimens, in addition to designing the layout of the display. The educational display is exhibited on the first floor of the Plant Sciences Building, just outside the Insect Zoo, and tells the story of William Doepkens and the value of his insect collection.
In 2025, the Department of Entomology received an insect collection on loan from the Doepkens family. Their father, William, born in 1916, had a lifelong hobby of collecting insects on his farm. Together with his children, he amassed a collection contained in 12 boxes as shown in the photo above, consisting of 735 specimens in 9 orders (Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Mantodea, Megaloptera, Odonata, and Orthoptera) collected between 1932 until his death in 2000.
Dr. Lamp taught a course in spring 2026 titled “Special Topics in Entomology “Doepkens Insect Collection: Experience the Process of Curation and Public Display” to get university students involved in developing an educational display using William Doepkens’ insect collection. The students were responsible for identifying and photographing the insect specimens, in addition to designing the layout of the display. The educational display is exhibited on the first floor of the Plant Sciences Building, just outside the Insect Zoo, and tells the story of William Doepkens and the value of his insect collection.
The Boxes
History of the Doepkens Farm
William P. Doepkens (1916 - 2000) lived his whole life on the Doepkens Farm in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. The farm was purchased by his German immigrant father Henry in 1906. Willie, as he was known in the community, was a farmer, nature lover and amateur photographer who enjoyed traveling and serving on the Anne Arundel County/MD Forestry Board. Later in life, Willie became a self-taught amateur archaeologist. He excavated a 1600’s colonial site, researched and authored / published a book about his findings entitled Excavations at Mareen Duvall’s Middle Plantation of South River Hundred.
Mr. Doepkens was a naturally curious individual with a thirst for knowledge despite ending his formal schooling after the eighth grade. Overseeing the family farm operations was his main responsibility once his schooling ended. However, after a long day of farm work, W. Doepkens enjoyed books which led to his reading Freckles by Gene Stratton-Porter in October of 1935. It is thought that this book may have inspired Mr. Doepkens to make his own insect collection just like the main character in Freckles. The book is about an orphan who is fascinated with the flora and fauna of the Limberlost woods of Indiana and provides vivid descriptions of the insects in the virgin forest.
Mr. Doepkens was a naturally curious individual with a thirst for knowledge despite ending his formal schooling after the eighth grade. Overseeing the family farm operations was his main responsibility once his schooling ended. However, after a long day of farm work, W. Doepkens enjoyed books which led to his reading Freckles by Gene Stratton-Porter in October of 1935. It is thought that this book may have inspired Mr. Doepkens to make his own insect collection just like the main character in Freckles. The book is about an orphan who is fascinated with the flora and fauna of the Limberlost woods of Indiana and provides vivid descriptions of the insects in the virgin forest.
Ecology of the Doepkens Farm
Pollination
Pollination is the most celebrated insect-mediated ecosystem service on farms. 75% of the world's crops depend on pollination services. The most well-known pollinators are bees, though butterflies, moths, beetles and certain flies are also pollinators.
Monarch females. Date. Box. Pollination Role.
Biological Control
