The preparation of a specimen to that it can be identified and stored in an insect collection. Two common ways to mount insects are pinning and slide mounting. In the first case a pin is put through the insect, as a rule through the thorax. This is then done either though the mesonotum or through the sides of the thorax (side pinning). In the second case the insect is usually mascerated (softened) and embedded in a mounting fluid before it is covered by a cover glas and sealed. In both cases the specimen should be positioned in such a way that necessary characters for identification are visible (for example by spreading the legs and wings and by extracting genitalia) and the specimens should be properly labeled (locality, date, collector, identification).
Links: Online Manual on Collecting and Mounting from Transvaal Museum: go to Equipment for pin details etc; to Preservation for mounting methods; Insect Collection from Massingale's Biology Place.
Links: And the excellent Collecting and Preserving Insects and Mites: Tools and Techniques from U.S.D.A. http://www.ars.us...141&page=1
Robert Nash on October 09 2006 - 09:52:13
From Crex Many thanks.
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