The Department of Arthropoda is an amalgamation of the former departments of Entomology and Arachnology, and has diverse collections of arthropods, these being mainly terrestrial taxa. The collections date back to the early part of the twentieth century and have strengths related to research activities, both past and present.

Collections management activities relating to zoological taxa and artefacts which are not currently being studied by staff members: most notably earthworms, herpetological taxa and fossils are under the care of the Collections Manager. Dr J. Plisko (retired) can be contacted for information about earthworms.