This Symposium was held on 1 September 1986 to assess available resources and current requirements for biosystematic research, identification and other services in support of entomological work in the tropics, especially in Africa, India and S.E. Asia. Particular attention was given to biosystematic services for agriculture and to the need for long-term financial support to maintain and develop reference collections; to train and employ taxonomists; to provide identification services and to undertake biosystematic research at local, national, regional and international levels.