CARAB - Digitisation and indexing of ground beetles

Aim of the project

In the context of the project, 13,000 ground beetles of the subfamily Carabinae will be digitised and the data will then be published in the NAHIMA database.

Description of the project

ETH Zurich has an important collection of ground beetles with tens of thousands of specimens, most of which were collected in the first half of the 20th century. Ground beetles are not only a very popular group of insects among collectors, they are also very important indicators of the state and change of our environment due to their sensitivity to climate change. Important sub-collections were donated to ETH by Paul Born-Moser, Max Bänninger, Gustav Huguenin, Arthur Linder-Hebeisen and Richard Heinertz. A large part of the subfamily Carabinae from these subcollections is being examined by taxonomists, transferred to new boxes and merged with the existing main collection. The labels of the specimens are then photographed, transcribed and interpreted, and the data published in the NAHIMA database. The published data provides an important basis for research into biodiversity loss and the consequences of climate change.

Synergies and context

Experience and knowledge about digitisation are exchanged within the SwissCollNet network.

Time frame

01.01.2025 - 31.12.2025