Ultra-small RFID p-Chips on the heads of entomological pins provide an automatic and durable means to track and label insect specimens

Abstract

A new, ultra-small, light-activated microtransponder ("p-Chip") has been integrated into the heads of entomological pins toimprove efficiency in collections management and research through radio frequency identification (RFID) of insect specimens.These specimens are typically small, fragile, numerous and especially difficult to track. Globally, the majority are not currentlyrecorded in any database. The application of unique identifiers has previously proven time consuming and difficult. Permanentand integral to the specimen, each p-Chip transmits a unique serial number allowing tracking without contact and reducing therisk of damage to specimens and repetitive strain injuries (RSI) in curators. The p-Chips and the specimens they tag can belinked immediately to biodiversity web services and collections databases. Specimens can be rapidly assigned to groupings asthey are sorted and their taxonomic identity refined; and accurately tracked through high throughput methods and analyses.Quite importantly, with the p-Chips, the profile of the pin head is unchanged, and there is no discernible tactile difference fromstandard entomological pins. We also describe how p-Chips can be retro-fitted to provide complete compendia of legacy samples.