Digital imaging of minute wasps and assembly of digital image libraries

Digital imaging of small parasitic wasps on the order of 1 mm or less is a challenging task. The Chalcid PEET (Partnerships for Enhancing Expertise in Taxonomy) is producing high quality, high-magnification images of standard views for Signiphoridae and Aphelinidae and digitizing legacy images of specimens on both color slides and B&W film negatives, including types deposited in the US National Museum of Natural History and Queensland Museum. The combined collection at TAMU and UCR now has almost 4,000 images, including habitus shots and details of key morphological features of adults. Images are obtained using stereo, compound and scanning electron microscopy. We describe image processing techniques we have adapted for small wasps, including image stacking for extended focus, removal of dirt and other artifacts from images, digital enhancement and color correction. These images will provide digital records of voucher specimens for taxonomic revisions and phylogenetic analyses. By uploading images to MorphBank they will be available to workers and students worldwide, and accessible for use in contemporary modes of electronic publication and information delivery.