Mainstreaming biodiversity through insect conservation.

Puritan tiger beetle seen ~7 feet tall in NYC. © Levon Biss.

AMNH: Extinct and Endangered. An exhibit of insect macrophotography.

Scientific curation and specimen donation for a landmark insect conservation exhibit. 2021–2022.

Client American Museum of Natural History, New York. Featured photographer: Levon Biss.

The Opportunity. The AMNH planned a landmark exhibit on insect conservation, titled Extinct and Endangered: Insects in Peril, anchored by Levon Biss’s macrophotography. Curating it well required selecting species with conservation stakes and sourcing them from active recovery programs.

What ABC Did.

  • Advised on exhibit curation, including species selection, conservation framing, and content creation.
  • Transported, and donated rare tiger beetle specimens, including this exact puritan tiger beetle (pictured above, from the exhibit) used in ABC’s recovery program covered by the New York Times.

Outcome. The exhibit opened at the AMNH in 2022, including 7-foot tiger beetle images in the middle of NYC – seen by millions each year.

For Projects Like This. ABC has a diverse background in Entomology, and works with museums and exhibit designers on all insect content. When the goal is awe plus accuracy, we’re a good first call.