There is a super cool insect collection.It is easier to make them than you think.Whether you have a freshly caught bug or a dried one, preparing it for pinning is important.If they are not prepared, your bug could break down or the pin could prevent you from seeing some of its unique characteristics.You can pin and display your insects with the right approach and preparation.
Step 1: Put cotton wool in a jar.
Apply nail polish remover to a small piece of cotton wool or a cotton ball to make it saturated.The jar has a lid.The plastic container could be sealable.Avoid breathing noxious fumes if you use nail polish remover.
Step 2: Use wool to seal the insect in the jar.
Place the live insect in the jar with the cotton wool.The jar needs to be closed so it can't be opened.Wait until the insect stops moving.Smaller insects like flies and bees can die within a few minutes, while larger insects can take up to an hour.If you are pinning multiple insects, avoid putting larger ones in the jar with smaller ones.
Step 3: After killing the insect, pin it.
The insect will be easy to pin and preserve after it dies.After the insect dies try to pin it as soon as possible.
Step 4: If you want to pin the insect later, place the jar in a freezer.
If you can't pin the insect before it dies, you should keep it in the freezer.When you are ready to pin the insect, take the jar out of the freezer and let it thaw out for 15-20 minutes.If you want to pin the insect, you can keep it in the freezer for a few days.
Step 5: Place the sheets of paper towels in a container.
Take a few sheets of paper towels and put them in a container of water.They can be put in a jar or plastic container.The insect specimen can be oversaturate by soaked paper towels.Before you put them in the container, squeeze out any excess.
Step 6: There are layers of paper towels.
There should be a layer of insects on top of the wet paper towels.If you damp a few more sheets of paper towels, they will be moist but not saturated.If you lay them over the insects, they will be covered by the paper towels.Put another layer of insects on top of the paper towels and cover them with damp paper towel as well.Continue stacking until you have all of your insects in between the paper towels.Stack the insects between the paper towels.
Step 7: When the legs are mobile, Seal the container for 3-6 days.
Put on the lid and seal the container.If you want the specimen to relax and rehydrate for a few days before you pin them, place the container in a cabinet or drawer.Hard insects can take up to 6 days to relax.If you use your fingers to move the legs, you can see if they are mobile or not.Don't force the legs to move if they are still stiff.Wait a day or two before checking the insect again.
Step 8: Use 38mm entomological pins.
If you choose pins that are specially designed for entomological specimen, they will pass through the specimen without corroding from the insect's body fluids.Size 3 is the most common size for entomological pins and is suitable for most insect specimen.There are pins at entomological supply stores.You can place an order online.Sewing needles and metal pins can rust and damage your specimen over time.
Step 9: Don't pin soft-bodied insects.
Butterflies, mayflies, and silverfish are soft-bodied insects that can't be pinned.If you want to pin insects such as butterflies and beetles, choose hard-bodied insects.
Step 10: Butterflies, moths, and dragonflies can be found in the center of the thorax.
Butterflies, moths, and dragonflies have smaller bodies, so choosing the heavier parts of the body will help preserve them.The center of the thorax is between the forewings and the smaller pair of wings.
Step 11: The bees, wasp, and flies are in the thorax.
There is a gap between the forewings.The fore and hind wings are put together when you line up the pin.Important identifying characteristics of the insect can be destroyed by pin placement.
Step 12: The pin should be placed through the scutellum of bugs.
The order of insects that are true bugs are cicadas, aphids, and shield bugs.The triangular area under the wings of the true bug is called the scutellum.If you want to place your pin in this area, choose it.
Step 13: To the right of the saddle is where you can find crickets and grasshoppers.
The lower segment of the thorax, also known as a saddle, is where the first pair of legs are attached to insects.To support the weight of the insect, place your pin here.
Step 14: Push through the right wing cover.
The shells or covers on insects' wings are hard.Place your pin on the back of the insect near the centerline.
Step 15: There is a bug pinned to an insect display case.
You can use an insect display case to show off your collection.Stick the pin to the mounting surface of the display case after you insert it through your bug.Make sure the pin is securely attached.There are insect display cases at entomological supply stores.They can be found online and you can order a design that you like.
Step 16: It's a good idea to use a freshly killed winged insect.
Butterflies and moths have delicate, fragile wings if they are dry or dehydrated.If you want to spread the wings of a recently killed insect, make sure the specimen is fully relaxed.The insect is ready to be pinned if the legs are easy to move and brittle.
Step 17: If you want to stick the insect to the board, pin it through the thorax.
Push the entomological pin through the center of the insect specimen.The spreading board is made of soft wood and is designed to help spread insect wings without damaging them.Spreading boards can be purchased at entomological supply stores or online.
Step 18: There are 2 strips of paper that are about 1.5 inches wide and 15 cm long.
You can use wax, tracing, or plain white printer paper.Take a pair of scissors and cut off 2 strips for each wing.The wings could be damaged if the paper is sticky.Newspaper or colored paper can stain the wings.
Step 19: Push one wing down with a strip of paper.
Take a strip of paper and place it between the wings of the insect.Press one of the wings down until it is even with the board.You could break the wings if you force them.Try relaxing the insect again if the wing isn't moving.
Step 20: To hold the wing down, put the top and bottom of the paper together.
The wing should be held down with a strip of paper.Place a pin at the top and bottom of the strip of paper to hold the wing down.A friend can help you pin the ends of the paper.
Step 21: The other strip of paper can be used to pin the other wing down.
Take your other strip of paper and gently press the other wing down.The wings of the paper should be pinned to the strips of paper.
Step 22: Before you remove the pins, allow the insects to dry for a few days.
The wings should remain open if the insect is left to dry.After a few days, you can remove the pins and the strips of paper and put your insect in a display case.If the wings begin to close after you remove the strips, open them back up and let them dry for a day or two.There are insect display cases at entomological supply stores.You can place an order online.