Robert McLachlan (entomologist) facts for kids

Robert McLachlan (FRS) (born April 10, 1837 – died May 23, 1904) was an English scientist who studied insects. He was especially interested in lacewings (which are called Neuroptera) and caddisflies (known as Trichoptera).

Who Was Robert McLachlan?

Robert McLachlan was born in London on April 10, 1837. He was one of five children. His father made ship clocks, which were very important for navigation. Robert grew up in a town called Ongar in Essex. He went to a private school in Ilford where he learned English, French, and German very well.

Because he had enough money, Robert could spend all his time studying insects and other parts of nature. He first became interested in plants. He wanted to understand how butterflies and the plants they eat were connected.

Early Life and Discoveries

In 1855, Robert traveled to New South Wales, Australia, and Shanghai, China. He went there to collect plants and study them. When he came back to England, he asked Robert Brown at the British Museum to help him identify his plant collection.

Later, he met John Van Voorst, which made him focus more on insects. The work of Hermann August Hagen also encouraged him to study lacewings (Neuroptera). Robert wrote his first paper about lacewings in 1861. In this paper, he described a new type of lacewing found in Britain. He wrote more papers about lacewings, and in 1870, he published his Catalogue of British Neuroptera. This book listed all the British lacewings known at the time.

Studying Insects: Lacewings and Caddisflies

After studying lacewings, Robert started to collect and study caddisflies (Trichoptera). He became a top expert on these insects. His most important work was a huge book called Monographic Revision and Synopsis of the Trichoptera of the European Fauna. This book was published in nine parts between 1874 and 1884. It had almost 2,000 detailed drawings that Robert made himself. He used a special tool called a camera lucida to help him draw.

Robert knew many insect scientists all over the world. This helped him build one of the largest collections of lacewings anywhere. He also had a big collection of butterflies. Many of these butterflies were once common in Britain but had become rare or had disappeared.

A Leader in Entomology

Robert McLachlan was the first editor of a science magazine called Entomologist's Monthly Magazine. He joined the Entomological Society of London in 1858. He worked there as a secretary, treasurer, and even as president.

He also became a member of the Linnean Society of London in 1862. In 1877, he was chosen to be a member of the Royal Society, which is a very important group for scientists. He was also part of many other science groups in Britain and other countries.

Robert McLachlan passed away on May 23, 1904, near London. He is buried in Tower Hamlets Cemetery.

His Important Books

Here are some of the books and papers Robert McLachlan published:

• Monograph of the British species of caddis-flies (1865).
• Monograph of the British Neuroptera-Planipennia (1868).
• Monograph British Psocidae (1866-1867).
• Catalogue of British Neuroptera (1870).
• Monographic revision and synopsis of the Trichoptera of the European fauna (two volumes, 1874 & 1880).