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Does anyone here knows anything about local regulations on insect collecting in Cameroon and/or Gabon?
I am planning to visit either of these countries, possibly during this winter, if one of them is much easier to collect in, that would certainly make my choice easier... So: would it be possible for me to collect any insects during a visit, or is it feasible to aquire a collecting permit in time? I am pretty sure that I can get a letter of recommendation from the head of dept. at the natural history museum of Sweden, if necessary. How would I do to get such a permit?

Help much appreciated,

Viktor

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Viktor,
at my experience in Africa and Asia:
1. For God's sake, no recommendations, no official contacts! (Local official permision will take a hell lot of your time and... directly bring the problems to you.)
2. You are tourist, a microworld photografer, who use the net to catch fly and to ID who is on photo = a harmless, crazy man.
3. Put material in your non-hand luggage when fly back.

With these rules I had never any problem so far nowhere.

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I forgot the rule number 4:
4. You are not for insects at all. Insects means butterflies and bettles. You are for flies only.
There is no taxonomist in Gabon to correct this position

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Nikita,

many thanks and from myself - "for those who understand"

Grigory

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And please take with you all the Syrphids you can find, a lot of African species are ill-known!
You can bring them for me as well, but I can identify them for you if necessary.....
Greetings

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And don't forget the harvestmen! For them they are as unimportant as the flies, so same category. The African harvestmen fauna is rather unknow, mildly expressed.

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collect flies as many as possible. Hopefully you will find some nice Acroceridae, Tachinidae and Mythicos..... Great trip!

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As the man said in the film JAWS..."We're gonna need a bigger boat".
Viktor...."You're gonna need a bigger Aeroplane". The D.i Mob are on the scran!

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Thanks all! I did suspect that was the way to go. I'm just happy that you did not say "YOU WILL BE SHOT".

Gerard, I will surely collect all the syrphids I can get my hands on. They are one of my favourite groups. Of course, I will do other stuff as well, like watching birds and other wildlife, but I am very eager to get some african acalyptrates and aschizans to work with... And I will be happy to share the load with those of you who are interested.

Ruud: if you say that they are so badly known, I take your word for it and I will collect them when I see them.

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Fascinating pictures and stories on entomological expeditions to Africa
http://www.waspwe.../index.htm

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Viktor, I will be very, very grateful!! It is simple, just put them in EtOH. No more preparation required.
I wish you a great time.

cheers,