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How to keep specimens

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Hey guys!

 

So the other day I was roaming around the fly shop and came across a bunch of glass vials in various sizes used for keeping insect specimens in, so I was thinking about grabbing a few so I could go out and collect a few to keep on my desk when I'm tying, which brings me to my question, what is the best way to preserve them in these vials? I would like to keep them intact as best as possible.

 

Thanks!

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Its been a while since I actually made the mixture but if I remember correctly its a 60/30 combo of everclear and water that works best for the layman. its amazing how far a pt of everclear will go unless you collect regularly. I usually carry one with me in case I run across something relatively unique that I may want to know what it is later. the problem is I think its important to find a way to record the color of the specimen becuase it fades pretty quickly and can be a significant trigger to make note of.

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I use witch hazel keeps the color and is like 1.99 at drug store..no discolor of the fluid like other liquids. Just did a class on entomology and had witch hazel in the jars for students..

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I used to use denatured ethanol-water-glycerine. I think it was something like 80:15:5. I also tried embedding them in clear plastic. But in this day of digital cameras and large hard drives it is easier to capture your bugs with a camera in macro mode. Just remember to include a ruler or other scale. And use the right colour balance for your light source.

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