The USDA Nematode Collection is one of the largest and most valuable nematode collections in existence. It contains over 49,000 permanent slides and vials, with a total repository of nematode specimens reaching several million, including Cobb-Steiner, Thorne, and other valuable collections. Nematodes contained in this collection originate from world-wide sources.
The USDA Nematode Collection Database contains over 38,000 species entries. A broad range of data is stored for each specimen, including species, host, origin, collector, date collected and date received. All records are searchable and available to the public through the online database.
The physical collection is housed at the USDA Nematology Laboratory in Beltsville, MD. Specimens are available for loan to scientists who cannot personally visit the collection. Please see the Policy for Loaning USDANC Specimens for more information on this process.
Scientists and other workers are always welcomed and encouraged to deposit material into the collection.
