Invertebrates
Insects, molluscs and spiders seen up close.
Browse field selections: these categories suggested by the museum represent an important part of the collections, without being exhaustive.
Molluscs
The mollusc collections, mainly conchological, have been assembled by numerous scientists over the centuries. They comprise a significant historical fonds and numerous types.
Beetles
The richness of the beetle collection reflects their extraordinary diversity: hundreds of thousands of specimens represent local, European and global fauna.
Lepidoptera
Moths and butterflies, along with beetles, are the most studied insects. The collection is particularly rich in European butterflies and, in some families, exotic species.
Miscellaneous Insects
The other insect orders are mainly represented by flies, hymenoptera, hemiptera and odonata, most of which are French. The collection includes a rich assortment of planthoppers and exotic cicadas.
Crustaceans
Crabs, lobsters and mantis shrimp are represented by a historical collection dating back to the early 19th century. A few more recent additions have been made to this collection.
Arachnids
A large collection of spiders from Europe and France’s overseas departments and territories. There is also a fine collection of scorpions, several of which have been recently described.
Echinoderms
The collection was largely assembled during the 19th and 20th centuries. It includes a long series of sea urchins and starfish, both European and exotic.
Other Invertebrates
Corals, gorgonians, sponges, bryozoans and other marine animals are relatively poorly represented in the collections. Apart from the historical fonds, the coral collection is growing thanks to seizures by customs authorities.