Abstract

One aspect that international policy has overlooked is the importance of scientific collections to the economy. Far from being a simple repository of specimens, each one provides the basis for decision-making regarding food security, health, conservation, and management of the natural resources on which the industry depends. This study reviewed and calculated the economic value of the Hymenoptera collection at the National Museum of Costa Rica, establishing standard values at the family level, considering a minimum value for regular specimens and a maximum value for type specimens. Thus, based on data from the National Museum, the collection is valued at approximately $24,563,285.