How To Mount And Frame Insects?

Insect collection is a scientific and educational project that involves collecting and preserving various insects. Soft-bodied insects like larvae or termites are preserved in liquids, while larger specimens are mounted on insect pins of varying sizes. Entomological pins come in a range of sizes, with the most common size being 2 and 3. To pin an insect, follow these steps:

1. Catch the insect carefully using a net or forceps. Be gentle to avoid damaging its body.
2. Cut all triangular points to a uniform size, 3/8 to 1/2 inch long and approximately 1/8 inch wide at the base.
3. Use insect pins to put one pin through the middle of the thorax and push it all the way through the body and about one half-inch into the mounting board. Leave room all around for pinning appendages.
4. Gently move legs and antennae into the desired position.
5. Measure the depth of the space in your frame and compare it to the total length of the pin going through the specimen.
6. Relax dried insects, insert an insect pin, spread butterfly and moth wings, and position them.
7. Position butterflies by gluing them onto a small triangular board.
8. Frame butterflies using a shadow box, cutting a half-inch piece off the glue stick and gluing one end to a piece of 1-inch thick Styrofoam.
9. As each specimen is pinned, push the pin into the foam until the insect is securely attached.

In conclusion, preserving and displaying insects requires careful pinning and framing techniques. By following these steps, you can create a beautiful and informative display of your collected insects.

How Do You Pin Insects?

Insects should be pinned uniformly using specialized insect pins available from biological supply sources or entomology-focused companies like www. insects4sale. com. The pinning method varies by insect type; for true bugs, insert the pin through the scutellum, the triangular area between the wings. For grasshoppers and crickets, the correct placement is through the prothorax, slightly right of center. It's crucial to note that soft-bodied insects such as scales, caterpillars, mayflies, and silverfish cannot be pinned.

A proper pinning technique involves drilling small holes slightly larger than the pins through a pinning block. When placing an insect on a pin, ensure the head or pin point aligns with the desired hole, facilitating adjustment to the proper height. Begin by inserting the pin through the thorax, slightly off-center to the right. Additionally, creating a relaxing chamber with damp paper towels can help soften the insects for easier pinning.

For bees, wasps, and flies, pinning should occur through the thorax, between the fore wings’ bases. By following these detailed steps and using the correct materials, beginners can successfully preserve and showcase their insect collections.

How Do You Mount Insects On A Card Point?

Mounting insects on card points is an uncomplicated task if the correct procedure is followed. The pin is inserted through the widest part of the triangular card point, with the specimen glued to the point. First, place the card point on the pin and apply a small amount of white glue or clear fingernail polish at the tip. This method is particularly suitable for small insects that cannot be pinned through the thorax.

To mount, use alcohol-soluble glue to affix the point to the right side of the insect, just above the middle right leg, ensuring the dorsal side faces up, with labels spaced 5 mm apart to protect them.

Insect collections often require a 90-degree pinning angle through the thorax, while beetles and similar insects are pinned through the front of the right wing to avoid damaging legs upon emergence. For true bugs, the pin is placed through the scutellum, and for grasshoppers or crickets, it goes through the prothorax slightly off-center. Small holes, slightly larger than the insect pins, are drilled in a structured manner for correct placement. Once the insect is on the pin, adjust its height as needed and use tweezers to bend the card point's tip downward.

A tiny drop of glue is applied to this bent section, which is pressed against the insect's right side. Clear drying glue or fingernail polish can be utilized for this step. Card points are especially critical for mounting small, hard-bodied insects that retain their shape after drying. When card-pointing, ensure the point is positioned on the left side of the pin in the collection.

Do You Need A License To Sell Dead Insects?

The USDA does not require permits for the sale of dead insects and mites, except for dead bees from the superfamily Apoidea as governed by 7CFR 319. 76. No permit is needed for selling feeder insects like crickets. However, if invertebrates were added to the Pet Shop License (PSL) requirements, a license would be necessary for selling such insects. While permits are not needed to keep ants, some species are illegal, and a permit is required to possess or sell non-native species across state lines.

It is advisable to contact the US Fish and Wildlife inspection office for information regarding wildlife import regulations. For those considering an insect-selling business, it is crucial to check with local and federal authorities about necessary licenses. You can legally sell insects as long as they remain within state lines and are not from endangered species. For purchasing insects like butterflies, you should ensure the supplier's credibility.

Dead insects can often be sourced from suppliers like bugsincyberspace. com, who specializes in various dead specimens. If you plan to engage in wholesale activities for dead insect specimens, appropriate permits will be required. Import and export regulations alongside the necessity of licenses for certain protected species must be adhered to, especially if the specimens were legally obtained before specific legislative dates. Always consult local regulations to ensure compliance before beginning your business.

How Do You Preserve Insects For Framing?

To effectively preserve insect specimens, it’s crucial to store them in a cool, dry environment, as moisture can harm them. Air-conditioned rooms or storage cabinets with desiccants are ideal. Pinned specimens are the best option for hard-bodied insects, as this method retains their natural appearance and facilitates study. It’s essential to use specialized insect pins for pinning and to handle the specimens carefully to avoid damage. If the collected specimens are fresh, there’s no need to relax dried insects, but it’s important to consider different preservation methods for various types of insects.

Soft-bodied insects, lacking a hard exoskeleton, should be preserved in a solution, such as ethanol. Some collectors enjoy pinning and framing butterflies, which can be a delightful DIY project. To effectively frame a butterfly, choose your specimen carefully and consider the best preservation approach. Soft-bodied insects including larvae and various pests should be stored in glass or plastic vials with 70-85% isopropyl or ethanol alcohol, ensuring a secure seal.

Maintain the display frame in a dry environment away from direct sunlight for optimal longevity. Additionally, larger insects can be mounted directly on pins, while a separator can enhance preservation during the drying process. Following these guidelines will yield successful insect preservation.

How Do You Mount And Display Insects?

Arranging and displaying pinned insects in a shadow box involves several meticulous steps. First, carefully peel the insects and place them on a steamer basket, then transfer them to a pot with warm water to relax. Once sufficiently relaxed, position the insects and allow them to dry for a few days before proceeding to mount them for display. A common preservation method for soft-bodied insects is to immerse them in 70% ethyl or grain alcohol, which helps retain their natural shape and color. Alternatively, 100% ethanol can also be used for preservation.

To begin the process, capture the insect gently with a net or forceps to avoid damage. Displaying insects offers educational opportunities to learn about their behavior, anatomy, and habitats. For mounting, ensure the insect is fresh, as dried specimens become brittle and fragile. Larger insects can be pinned through a specific body part, while smaller ones may require a gluing technique.

Using an 18 x 24-inch display box with sufficient depth allows for upright pinning. Pinning is generally done at a 90-degree angle through the thorax. For beetles and similar insects, pin through a front part of the right wing. Finally, place the mounted specimen in the display case, securing it with the pin from the thorax to create an organized and informative presentation. Techniques such as using Riker mounts are especially useful for certain insects like dragonflies and butterflies, ensuring an appealing showcase.

What Paper To Use For Bug Pinning?

Index card paper is a robust and sturdy material for entomology. A specialized point punch can quickly create a large supply of points, which should be cut all at once for future use. It's essential to have an airtight container, like a clean jam jar, at hand for storage. Homemade labels made from stiff white paper should be positioned close to the insect being pinned. To manage the wings of the insect, a paper strip can be inserted between them to hold them in place, needing both sides to be positioned similarly.

If immediate pinning isn’t possible, temporary storage in a folded triangle of parchment paper is suggested, though the insect will need to be relaxed before proper pinning. Various pin sizes are available, with sizes 2 and 3 being the most common. Acid-free paper should be used for making points or labels to prevent damage. Posing techniques, including the use of a pinning block, are crucial. A single large label is sufficient when using alcohol mounts, and it should be cut from notecard paper. Styrofoam can serve as an effective pinning board for most insects. Additionally, strips of new wax, tracing, or plain white paper (to avoid ink marks) are suggested for stabilizing the wings.

What Do I Need For Insect Taxidermy?

To successfully undertake insect taxidermy, first gather the essential materials: an insect specimen, a pinning board, entomological pins, forceps, and sharp scissors. A magnifying glass may also be helpful for observing fine details. A crucial initial step is to relax the insect to make it pliable; this can be done by placing it in a suitable environment. If entomological pins are unavailable, regular needles might suffice. It is also prudent to utilize sprays or applications designed to deter insect activity for preservation.

For handling, ensure that the specimen is pinned in a secure location. Employ Borax for multiple purposes, including drying hides and preserving insects. When dealing with butterflies or moths, a spreading board is necessary to support their delicate wings during the mounting process. Use two to three layers of wrung-out, water-soaked paper towels placed in an airtight container to aid in relaxation. Additionally, parchment paper strips can help maintain the structure of fragile wing parts.

Free online tutorials covering various aspects of taxidermy, including insect pinning, can be found on platforms like Patreon and YouTube. These resources are especially beneficial for enthusiasts, such as those inspired by familial interests in insect preservation.

Can I Use Sewing Pins For Insect Pinning?

Using insect-specific pins offers significant advantages over regular sewing pins, primarily due to their broader size range and anti-rust coatings. While sewing pins can suffice for merely positioning insects, they are not ideal for mounting, as they may corrode and damage specimens over time. The choice between entomological pins and sewing pins is crucial, as it can greatly impact the quality and longevity of an insect collection.

Insect pins are typically made from rust-free steel and come in various sizes to accommodate different types of insects. For example, sizes 0 and 2 enamel insect pins are recommended for general use, while size 3 pins are suitable for mantids, which tend to discolor when dried. Using proper insect pins helps ensure that specimens remain undamaged and maintain their appearance.

In addition to the appropriate pins, essential tools for insect pinning include forceps, a styrofoam pinning board with various sized gaps to facilitate wing spreading, and a kill jar made from a glass jar and plaster of Paris. These tools aid in the careful handling and preservation of insects during the mounting process. It is also important to rehydrate dried specimens before pinning to prevent them from breaking when spreading their wings.

The pinning process involves placing the insect on a setting or pinning board, ensuring the wings are level. Additional pins are used to carefully spread the wings by inserting them near the body’s outer edges. Uniform pinning using insect-specific pins is essential to avoid damaging the specimens and to keep the collection organized.

Sewing needles, while cheaper, are only suitable for positioning and not for long-term mounting, as they lack the durability and corrosion resistance of insect pins. Improper pinning with sewing pins can lead to serious damage, such as cracking or crushing delicate insect parts, rendering collections worthless.

For optimal results, insect pins should be sourced from biological supply houses or specialized entomology suppliers. Proper pinning techniques and the right tools are essential for preserving and displaying insect specimens effectively. Avoid using sewing pins for mounting to ensure the integrity and value of your insect collection.

How Long Can Preserved Insects Last?

Insect preservation methods vary based on the type and size of the specimen. Larvae and soft-bodied insects, such as mites, are best preserved indefinitely in liquid preservatives like isopropyl alcohol (70-85%). Larger adult insects typically are pinned and, when kept dry and free from pests, can remain intact for an extremely long time, often hundreds to thousands of years, as evidenced by museum collections.

Smaller or too delicate specimens can be mounted on "points," minute pins, or microscope slides. Dry specimens retain their condition indefinitely if properly handled; soft-bodied insects, however, need liquid preservation to avoid distortion or damage.

Different insects necessitate specific preservation techniques; for example, larvae and termites require liquid preservation, while larger specimens are pinned. Frozen specimens become very brittle, so care is needed when removing them from the freezer. The time to prepare specimens for preservation can range from a few hours to overnight, depending on their size and type.

Additionally, some insects are preserved in amber, allowing them to survive for millions of years without degradation. Understanding proper preservation methods is crucial for long-term storage, enabling future study and display of these specimens. A correctly maintained collection can provide valuable information about the time and place of the insect's collection, underscoring the importance of effective preservation techniques in entomological studies.

What Is Insect Taxidermy Called?

Insect taxidermy, often referred to as "pinning," "mounting," or "preserving," involves the process of carefully preserving and displaying arthropods such as insects and spiders. Due to their small size and unique anatomy, insect preservation is simpler than that of larger animals. Commonly taxidermied insects include butterflies, and while most species can be preserved, some may be more delicate or challenging to work with. This art form dates back centuries and aims to maintain the natural beauty of the specimens, creating lifelike displays for study or exhibition.

Insect collecting, which is a hobby or scientific endeavor, is closely related as it involves gathering insects for display or research purposes. Within entomology, the preservation process utilizes specialized materials like pinning boards, entomological pins, forceps, and scissors. Notably, the term "insect taxidermy" is somewhat misleading; it is more accurate to refer to the practice as insect collection and preparation, especially in professional contexts where it is termed insect curation.

The intriguing combination of art and science allows enthusiasts to create miniature lifelike representations of insects, often admired in dioramas or other creative displays. The historical context lends depth to the practice, underscoring its significance in both scientific research and personal collection. Ultimately, insect taxidermy showcases the delicate beauty of these creatures, merging artistic expression with entomological study.