Collecting and Preserving Insects, Bugs etc

Venus007 · 08-12-2011, 12:37 PM

Ever since I was a little kid I have always had interesting insects around. Cicada husks, dragon flies, walking sticks, centipedes, millipedes, butterflies, moths, etc

Now that I live in Texas there is a rich wealth of new interesting creatures to find. I have decided that I am going to learn how to mount and preserve interesting specimens and was wondering if anyone else out there knows or is interested in this topic.

Do you collect bugs, tell me your story I wanna know?

Also any tips on their preservation and collection would be grand.

Red Dirt Girl · 08-12-2011, 01:13 PM

Hi Venus. I don't really know anything about proper collecting/mounting techniques, but I do happen to have one hundred (I believe) thin, thin, thin insect mounting pins that I would be happy to send you if you're interested(but maybe you'd want to chat a bit first, be sure I'm safe before you give your address to a complete stranger. I am, but how do you know that?) I've saved them for years knowing someday I'd know what to do with them! My collecting experience involved a little plastic pink and purple net and me prowling around the back yard stooped over with my face in the plants. I froze my poor little treasures, so I can't even offer advice on the preservation end of things (although I can tell you that freezing does not keep them from decomposing and stinking to high heaven.) But... I can offer you mounting pins. Happy Hunting!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Venus007

Ever since I was a little kid I have always had interesting insects around. Cicada husks, dragon flies, walking sticks, centipedes, millipedes, butterflies, moths, etc

Now that I live in Texas there is a rich wealth of new interesting creatures to find. I have decided that I am going to learn how to mount and preserve interesting specimens and was wondering if anyone else out there knows or is interested in this topic.

Do you collect bugs, tell me your story I wanna know?

Also any tips on their preservation and collection would be grand.

Venus007 · 08-12-2011, 02:00 PM

Thanks, Red. I actually just (yesterday) ordered some pins and a mounting block.

The best way to preserve the crawlies is to dry them or for soft bodied crawlies keep them in 70% isopropyl alcohol in a little jar.

Red Dirt Girl · 08-12-2011, 05:19 PM

Well happy collecting then!

MissItalianDiva · 08-12-2011, 05:24 PM

LOL this thread is awesome but still gives me the creeps

StillettoDoll · 08-12-2011, 05:38 PM

Hi Venus!
Wow I didn't know you like bugs! I love them too!, you must go to the insectarium in New Orleans if you ever get a chance!
Such beautiful creatures!
I cant wait to go again.

http://www.auduboninstitute.org/visit/insectarium

Hug a bug!

08-12-2011, 12:37 PM	#1
Venus007 Member How Do You Identify?: Femme Preferred Pronoun?: Serene Highness ;} Relationship Status: Dreamily contemplating some outrage against conventional morality Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Houston area Posts: 1,362 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,417 Thanked 4,750 Times in 1,139 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	Collecting and Preserving Insects, Bugs etc Ever since I was a little kid I have always had interesting insects around. Cicada husks, dragon flies, walking sticks, centipedes, millipedes, butterflies, moths, etc Now that I live in Texas there is a rich wealth of new interesting creatures to find. I have decided that I am going to learn how to mount and preserve interesting specimens and was wondering if anyone else out there knows or is interested in this topic. Do you collect bugs, tell me your story I wanna know? Also any tips on their preservation and collection would be grand. __________________ . "I need no warrant for being, and no word of sanction upon my being. I am the warrant and the sanction. " Ayn Rand, Anthem "So you'll die happily for your sins. You'd rather die in guilt then live in love?" Timothy Leary

08-12-2011, 02:00 PM	#3
Venus007 Member How Do You Identify?: Femme Preferred Pronoun?: Serene Highness ;} Relationship Status: Dreamily contemplating some outrage against conventional morality Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Houston area Posts: 1,362 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,417 Thanked 4,750 Times in 1,139 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	Thanks, Red. I actually just (yesterday) ordered some pins and a mounting block. The best way to preserve the crawlies is to dry them or for soft bodied crawlies keep them in 70% isopropyl alcohol in a little jar. __________________ . "I need no warrant for being, and no word of sanction upon my being. I am the warrant and the sanction. " Ayn Rand, Anthem "So you'll die happily for your sins. You'd rather die in guilt then live in love?" Timothy Leary

08-12-2011, 05:19 PM	#4
Red Dirt Girl Member How Do You Identify?: Stone Femme Preferred Pronoun?: PrincessPrettyPants, please. Relationship Status: Excellent. Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: near the ocean Posts: 188 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 387 Thanked 265 Times in 94 Posts Rep Power: 4524911	Well happy collecting then! __________________ Red

08-12-2011, 05:38 PM	#6
StillettoDoll Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Femme Preferred Pronoun?: Lady Relationship Status: single Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 2,824 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,779 Thanked 3,852 Times in 1,470 Posts Rep Power: 21474854	Hi Venus! Wow I didn't know you like bugs! I love them too!, you must go to the insectarium in New Orleans if you ever get a chance! Such beautiful creatures! I cant wait to go again. http://www.auduboninstitute.org/visit/insectarium Hug a bug! __________________

08-12-2011, 05:24 PM	#5
MissItalianDiva Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Miss Twiggy Preferred Pronoun?: Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and that shit doesn't sound atrocious! Relationship Status: divorce happens..all that glitters ain't gold Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: SLC Utah Posts: 2,284 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,768 Thanked 7,159 Times in 1,793 Posts Rep Power: 21474854	LOL this thread is awesome but still gives me the creeps