preserving bugs

[shezli 0]

I am interested in keeping some specimens of all kinds of aquatic insects. Being a guide, I think it would be good for reference in knowing what kinds of bugs occur, in greater detail, and how to better imitate them. This said, I have a bit of confusion as to what the best method for keeping these critters in good condition.

I have heard that people use alcohol for the nymphs and eggs, while pinning the duns and other mature insects. I think that pinning might help preserve color a bit better but size might be an issue. Also I have used alcohol, formaldehyde, and booze; all of which made the adults fade color. I may have been using a bad ratio of water to preservative, or perhaps I'm just using bad quality stuff. Either way I would love to really get to know the insects at a much geekier level.

Thanks

S

[Taxon 0]

Shezli-

 

This is just my opinion, and others may well disagree. However, the approach I now use is to take digital macro photos of collected insects prior to preserving them. That way, when I want to look at one, it is usually not necessary to remove it from preservative, and to place it under magnification. However, should that become necessary, I always have the preserved physical specimen, which is less likely to have been damaged through excessive handling.

[shezli 0]

Thanks Taxon. perhaps I will set up a box for shooting macro.

Great idea.

[Ramble On 0]

I have a little bit of experiance in preserving things. The pictures are by far the best way to go for a constantly reliable source. But having a few preserved samlples can be entertaining and enlightening. Ill give you a run down on what i found works.

 

For Preserving Adult insects you will need a kill jar. The jar needs an air tight lid and a piece of cloth or paper towel to put in the bottom. Then splash a couple table spoons of nail polish remover into the jar and put the lid on. The fumes will kill the insect quick. The point of the paper towel is to hold the liquid so that the specimen doesn't get "wet" and ruin the wings. Just cause they arnt moving doesn't mean they are not dead yet. Give them a couple hours in the jar. Then take them out and pin them to foam or card board. You need to pin them fairly soon after you kill them or else they go hard. If you break a leg off...no worries. Clear nail polish works well for sticking them back on...the quick drying stuff if you have a choice. When you are going to store them perminantly make sure you have a moth ball in the box with them or dust mites will eat them.

 

The nymphs i have also pinned but they dry out and desicate a bit. You definalty loose some of the quality. Pictures work best i have found. Here is one I took of a stone.

 

I have also preserved minnows. You need a kill jar with about 50-70% isopropyl alcohol in it. As soo as they are dead get them into a jar of 50% alcohol. Some species with heavy scales don't desicate too much so 50% is good. I have some fine scale dace that need about 40% alchohol. If you can keep them in the fridge it can help a little i found. Kepp an eye on them from time to time to make there isnt any cloudy stuff in the jar. If there is...switch out the alcohol. If your minnow is over about 3cm(1 inch) make a small slin in their belly to help in preservation. Fish stored in alcohol WILL lose their colour...anything stored this way ends up in a strange state of grey-brown. So it may not be what you are looking for. Aquatic insects even loose a bit of colour but hold up a little better then pinning them on a board. Unless they are adults.

 

anyway that's my 2 cents.

 

-ramble

[Harold Ray 0]

I think, as others have already said, photographs are the best way to maintain records of color of captured insects. The preserved specimens give real time evidence of size and structure, but I have never seen true color maintained for any length of time, and this can be as short as hours, in anything fixed in alcohol, formaldahyde, or any mixture of these. They are going to bleach and change in appearance quickly.

 

Photographs for color; preserved specimen for general shape and size.

 

Ray

[JSzymczyk 0]

everyone gave great advice!

 

for help with collecting and preserving tech and even photography:

http://www.insectnet.com/cgi/dcforum/dcboard.cgi

 

for supplies and materials:

http://www.bioquip.com

 

with a little ingenuity, almost all collecting gear can be made at home for a tiny fraction the cost of commercial gear.

 

good luck!

[sandflyx 0]

i went to witch hazel for collecting, doesnt seem to wash them out as bad as alcohal