Mounting+Insect+Specimens

=Insect Links...= ==

= =

Insects in closeup and more....
|| ==

= =

** [|New Zealand Insects] **
|| ==

= =

** [|Insect Anatomy] **
||

=How to mount insects for your collection:=
 * [[image:Pinning_insects.jpg width="347" height="262"]] || =What you need...=

=A Relaxing Jar=
 * 1) ==== A Relaxing jar ====
 * 2) ==== An insect ====
 * 3) ==== A spreading board ====
 * 4) ==== A few insect pins (sewing pins are too thick) ====
 * 5) ==== Some wing tape (thin strips of baking paper will do) ====
 * 6) A label ||

Dry specimens should be relaxed before they are pinned or their wings spread.

 * =[[image:insects_relaxing_jar.gif width="215" height="186"]]=

**You need...**
=How to Make a Spreading Board= From stiff corrugated cardboard cut: 2 side strips 100mm X 20mm 2 side strips 100mm X 30mm 1 base strip 100mm X 65mm || Using PVA stick one of the narrower side strips along the edge of the base strip as shown. || Glue the second narrower strip. || Stick it along the the other edge of the base strip. || Make the top layer with the 2 remaining strips, glueing and positioning them to create a V-shaped opening. || Leave your spreading board to dry. The V-shaped opening is to house the insect's abdomen. Fatter abdomens fit in near the wider top of the V, smaller abdomens fit near the bottom. || =Next.... Pinning your insect:=
 * ====a jar with a tight lid====
 * ====clean sand====
 * ====disinfectant====
 * ====cardboard==== || # ====Put 2 cm of sand in the botttom of a glass jar.====
 * 1) ====Add 1/2 cup solution of water and disinfectant (stops mould)====
 * 2) ====Pour enough solution into the jar to wet the sand.====
 * 3) ====Cut a piece of cardboard to fit tightly over the sand.====
 * 4) ====Put a few insects in the relaxing jar.====
 * 5) ====Screw the lid on and leave for a few days.====
 * 6) ====Check the jar every day. It takes about 2 days to relax an insect.====
 * 7) ====If the insects are in the relaxer too long they may rot.====
 * 8) ====As soon as the insect is relaxed, pin or spread it immediately.====
 * 9) ====Relaxed insects dry out again faster than freshly killed insects.==== ||
 * [[image:P1140521-1.JPG width="328" height="237"]]
 * [[image:P1140526-1.JPG]]
 * [[image:P1140531-1.JPG]]


 * [[image:Insect_pinning_points.jpg]] || =Where to put the pin...=

[|Instructions for Mounting]
||