Jun 7, 2017
Hi folks, here are some notes and resources that may be helpful for Episode 11: How to Start an Insect Collection
To start with we talked about using a phone to take pictures of insects – this is a great way to record what you see in the field and we all have a camera with us now a days. Here is a nice blog / tutorial on using cell phone cameras – with their pros and cons:
https://dragonflywoman.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/cell-phone-photography-101-for-web1.pdf
There are lots of summaries of how to make an insect collection – some are more complicated than others – here are some nice two pages summaries:
http://lsuinsects.org/DIY_Insect_Collection.pdf
Here is a nice one specifically about preserving insects – which is our subject today.
https://www.nps.gov/museum/publications/conserveogram/11-08.pdf
Here is a nice one from a college course: http://entocourses.tamu.edu/ento301/Handouts/Collection_guide_2015.pdf
A great resource in great detail:
https://www.ars.usda.gov/ARSUserFiles/80420580/CollectingandPreservingInsectsandMites/collpres.pdf
Ok, so in terms of gear – you’ll need some gear to set up an insect collection. My favorite source is Bioquip. http://www.bioquip.com/ You can buy all the gear you want or need from this company –they are great. They do ship internationally. That said here are some international sources as well:
http://www.insectnet.eu/ (Paradox Company, in Poland)
http://www.entosupplies.com.au/ (Australia)
https://www.angleps.com/index.php (UK)
Another wonderful supplier is American Science and Surplus - https://www.sciplus.com/ which not only has great deals but has excellent copy writing. It is a blast seeing how they try to convince you that you really need this surplus something or other…
I mentioned on the podcast that some of the tools and gear you need can be made. Here are plans for making your own spreading boards.
Making spreading boards
https://www.uky.edu/Ag/Entomology/ythfacts/4h/unit2/hotmsb.htm
https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/401Book/default.php?page=spreading_board
Here is what my pinning blocks look like. The wooden one I made … 35 years ago – the plastic one I bought from Bioquip.
Here are plans for making pinning blocks
https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/401Book/default.php?page=pinning_block
https://www.uky.edu/Ag/Entomology/ythfacts/4h/unit2/hotm&upb.htm
And this link on “how to make an insect collection, includes directions for building a drawer.
https://www.uaex.edu/publications/PDF/MP-83.pdf
One the podcast I mentioned preserving insects in hand sanitizer. Here is a cool tutorial on how to do that.
https://thedragonflywoman.com/tag/tutorials/
In terms of vial storage, there are lots of options, including some DIY ones.
Here is what I mean by ammo boxes:
And this is what I mean by a reloading block:
But you can also buy or build vial racks. Here are some links for that:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Simple-test-tube-rack/
Lastly I mentioned embedding specimens in resin. There is a link to the company that makes the product I use – Castin Craft https://www.eti-usa.com/clear-polyester-casting-resin-with-catalyst You can get it on amazon and I’m sure there are other products and sources out there.
There you go – I hope you find all that useful and entertaining…