Collecting and Preserving Insects, Bugs etc
 

Ever since I was a little kid I have always had interesting insects around. Cicada husks, dragon flies, walking sticks, centipedes, millipedes, butterflies, moths, etc

Now that I live in Texas there is a rich wealth of new interesting creatures to find. I have decided that I am going to learn how to mount and preserve interesting specimens and was wondering if anyone else out there knows or is interested in this topic.

Do you collect bugs, tell me your story I wanna know?

Also any tips on their preservation and collection would be grand.

Hi Venus. I don't really know anything about proper collecting/mounting techniques, but I do happen to have one hundred (I believe) thin, thin, thin insect mounting pins that I would be happy to send you if you're interested(but maybe you'd want to chat a bit first, be sure I'm safe before you give your address to a complete stranger. I am, but how do you know that?) I've saved them for years knowing someday I'd know what to do with them! My collecting experience involved a little plastic pink and purple net and me prowling around the back yard stooped over with my face in the plants. I froze my poor little treasures, so I can't even offer advice on the preservation end of things (although I can tell you that freezing does not keep them from decomposing and stinking to high heaven.) But... I can offer you mounting pins. Happy Hunting!

Thanks, Red. I actually just (yesterday) ordered some pins and a mounting block.

The best way to preserve the crawlies is to dry them or for soft bodied crawlies keep them in 70% isopropyl alcohol in a little jar.

LOL this thread is awesome but still gives me the creeps

Hi Venus!
Wow I didn't know you like bugs! I love them too!, you must go to the insectarium in New Orleans if you ever get a chance!
Such beautiful creatures!
I cant wait to go again.

http://www.auduboninstitute.org/visit/insectarium

http://www.auduboninstitute.org/site...tarium_map.JPG

Hug a bug!http://images-partners-tbn.google.co...ig_Bug_Hug.jpg

Ooooh! Doll, that sounds fantastic! I would love to go to a bug zoo!

I really love those beautiful beetles that look like gems.

On a further note: I have a cricket, a locust and a cicada all ready to mount when my spreader board gets here.

What you have to do is put the dried bug in a "relaxing chamber" which is a large jar with cotton on the bottom wet with water and an antifungal like phenol. The bug is placed on a tray or, in my case, in a ramekan and that tray is placed on top of the wet cotton. The lid is sealed and in several hours for a small insect or a day for a large insect it becomes moist enough to manipulate without breaking. Then one poses the bug and sets the pins so it retains the pose and waits for it to dry.

I am waiting for my spreader bar (no, not that kind you delightful perverts). A spreader bar is used to spread insect wings and put them in place so when they dry you can display them in all their winged beauty.

By the way it is better to mount them when they are fresh but since all my bugs are harvested once they are dead (I don't like the idea of wantonly killing a bug for a display) I always have to use the relaxation chamber.

i know this is barely related but i googled insect photography and there are some amazing pics!!

http://www.wonderstube.com/up/Animal...iwanowicz7.jpg

God how I wish I go into a relaxation chamber.

(and then get mounted :D)

LOL, yes it does sound like a fabulous night

Ooooh Martina, thanks for the great bug pictures!
Now if I could figure out a way for all the aged cool bugs to just drop dead where I can find them and before the ants get them it would work great

Loved bugs my entire life! Used to catch bees and swear that the next one wouldn't sting me.. that eventually they would know I was a friend - or I would become immune to their venom. Neither worked actually.

I never said I was the sharpest pencil - just that I loved bugs lol

Can't collect and preserve them now because I value my wifes heartbeat and the skin on my back.. but she does compromise by buying me college books and field guides to bugs..and she does tolerate the occasional "hold this caterpillar so I can get a good shot" requests.

Then there was this time I tattooed ants on my foot... she's still not over that. lol