A remarkable aspect of Earth’s biodiversity is that a quarter of all known species are beetles. Although about 400,000 beetle species have been discovered and described, estimates of the actual number range from 1.5 to more than 10 million. Clearly, most of beetle diversity remains unknown to science. The research in our lab falls under the broad heading of Coleoptera systematics, and includes the discovery, identification, description, inventory, phylogenetic study, and classification of beetles, especially poorly known taxa. We also contribute fundamental biological information through morphological and ecological studies. 


Joseph V. McHugh

Joe profile pic 2022

Herbert H. and Jean A. Ross Memorial Distinguished Professor of Insect Systematics and Evolutionary Biology

Department of Entomology, 455 Biological Sciences Building, 120 Cedar St., University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-2603, USA

Curator, Collection of Arthropods, 182 Natural History Museum Building, 101 Cedar Street, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-2603 USA

From Jacobson G.G., 1905-1915. [The beetles of Russia, West Europe and adjacent countries]. Devrien, St. Petersburg, 1024 pp.]