History of the Collection
History of the Collection
Humble Beginnings
In 1964, Terry and Diana Taylor established Combined Scientific. The Taylors had been encouraged by Richard and Louise Fall, owners of BioQuip Products (Bio Metal Associates at that time), to offer insect specimens to the entomological community. The owners of these two small companies shared a dream that one day the companies would merge to encompass the entire range of entomological needs – equipment, supplies, books, educational materials, and specimens.
The First Catalog
The company originally conducted business from the family home in Rosemead, California. The first catalog with 31 pages contained listings for 153 arthropod families.
California to Texas
In 1976, the Taylors moved to Fort Davis, Texas, and purchased two railroad box cars from which the business was operated. Many professional and amateur entomologists made the long trip to visit their facility, located in a remote area near Alpine, Texas.
Growing Catalog
From 1970 to 2000, Combined Scientific printed beautifully illustrated catalogs which grew in species offerings from year to year.
In 2000, the last Combined Scientific catalog, #20, provided listings for over 400 families (approximately 9,000 species).
A New Beginning
In 2000 the business was sold to Greg and Rod Lewallen who renamed the company Insects International. Catalogs were published, and an increasing percentage of sales was made on their web site. Eventually the business was closed before BioQuip Products stepped up to the plate to purchase the collection.
Last Combined Scientific
Insects International was managed by the Lewellen Brothers until it closed in 2006.
A New Chapter
In August 2009 The inventory of Insects International was sold to BioQuip Products and in March, 2010, the specimens, contained in 1,200 BioQuip insect drawers, was moved to BioQuip’s facility in Rancho Dominguez, California. During this major journey the Fall family of BioQuip did an excellent job of recording their adventures!
Going Global
From 2010 to 2022 BioQuipBugs was managed by Brent (The Bug Guy) Karner with his trusty crew of many buggy hooligans, serving museum quality specimens to customers all over the globe.
BioQuipBugs Today
Due to the closing of BioQuip Products Inc., BioQuipBugs was purchased by entomologist Royce Cumming in 2022 and moved from Rancho Dominguez to his property in Monterey County, California where it resides today!
We look forward to continuing the tradition of providing high quality specimens to individuals and institutions.