Home |  View Cart |  Email  |  How To Order  |  Pinning & Mounting  |  Search  |  Supplies

RELAXING CHAMBER: Used to soften specimens that have been dried or to keep freshly caught specimens soft until pinned or spread.

Equipment Needed:

1. Large container with lid, non-rusting.
2. Cotton, sand, paper, or any material that will absorb water
3. Moth crystals, napthalene or phenol used to inhibit fungus growth.
4. Spray bottle capable of putting out a fine mist

Procedure:

1. Place water absorbing material into bottom of container.
2. Saturate with water, pour off all standing water.
3. Add a tablespoon of fungus inhibitor.
4. Place papered specimens in container, standing on edge, do not unwrap specimens.
5. Using spray bottle apply a light mist.
6. Soften only what you can mount or work with at one time.
7. Relaxing time for most insects in about 24 hours, some specimens will take longer at room temperature.
8. Place container in warm room, do not place in over or over a pilot light.
9. Do not leave specimens in chamber for a long period of tie as many will discolor and other disintegrate. Yellow colors can easily be stained if in contact with moisture.

Pinning: (General), a fresh or relaxed specimen may be held by ones fingers or on a pinning block. A pin is pushed through from top to bottom at right angles to the length of the body, see figure 452. Leave up to one half inch protruding above the back. The pin is inserted to the right of mid line, see figure 453. The antennae and legs should be arranged close to the body unless a life-like arrangement is desired. Use as many pins as necessary for legs and antennae position, see figure 454.

Butterflies & Moths:

Equipment Needed:

1. Spreading Board
2. Paper Strips
3. Forceps
4. Scissors
5. Insect Pins (several sizes)

Procedure:

1. Use the spreading board with groove of suitable width for specimens
2. Remove relaxed specimen from its container, hold by thorax with index finger and thumb.
3. Lightly pinch the thorax and the wings will be caused to open enough to insert a pin
4. Do not touch wings with your fingers.
5. Push the pin through the thorax, between the wings form top to bottom.
6. Place specimen on spreading board and spread on forewing at a time, pinning each to the board. Use a small diameter pin placed behind a heavy vein and bring wing forward
7. Again, using a small pin behind a heavy vein, bring one hind wind at a time forward into place. Care must be taken that the hindwing does not slip up over the forewing.
8. CARE must be taken not to tear, break or rub the wing surface.
9. Place a strip of paper over the wings to hold them flat, use pins to hold in place.
10. Arrange antennae and hold in place with pins.
11. Prepare a collecting label and pin beside each specimen.
12. Leave until dry. Remove pins with a rotating motion
13. Place prepared specimens in proper storage containers.