The zoology collections contain specimens of species representative of Illinois and the Midwest that are used in scientific studies. In addition, these zoology collections serve as an archive for those species that once may have been numerous in Illinois but are now uncommon or extinct in Illinois. The osteological (bone) collections are used extensively in identifying archaeological remains. The ornithology (bird) collections contain historically important specimens of birds some of which no longer live in Illinois or are now extinct. The entomology (insect) collections contain numerous specimens of Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths).