Lost and found in Ireland; how a data label resulted in a postal delivery to Metriocnemus (Inermipupa) carmencitabertarum (Orthocladiinae)

Abstract

A plastic vial containing reference chironomid adults and pupal exuviae and a data label in alcohol was sent by post in a package from the Republic of Ireland to a colleague in Northern Ireland (UK). The package was delivered but the vial with specimens was missing. Several months later the vial was found in the Northern Ireland Mail Centre and returned to the original sender using the species name and other information taken from the label in the vial as an address. The recovery of the lost specimens illustrates an additional benefit of accurate data labelling.