The University of Guelph Insect Collection has its roots in the insect collection of the Entomological Society of Ontario, founded in 1863. It is the oldest insect collection in Canada and was, in effect, Canada's national insect collection before there was a Canada and before the establishment of the Canadian National Collection in Ottawa. Although our current collection of just over two million specimens is relatively small by world standards, the University of Guelph Insect Collection remains one of North America's most important heritage insect collections, and is Canada's third or fourth largest insect collection. It is the best collection of Ontario insects, including many irreplaceable specimens of extirpated species.