How To Preserve A Butterfly In A Shadow Box

We love finding new specimens to add to Elliot's nature collection. They're a great resources for his nature studies and I've actually enjoyed refining my process of preserving specimens over the past couple of years. I accept a bit of experience pinning a diverseness of dissimilar insects, but am nigh familiar with butterflies and moths, so that's what I'll be sharing today. The bugs in our bug box are all specimens that we personally nerveless ourselves that have died of natural causes— we don't collect/kill live insects to continue as specimens. East keeps insects as pets (like his honey grasshopper) and we heighten and release monarchs so that aspect is of import to u.s.a.! You tin can find insects everywhere, you'll just need to keep an centre out for them when you're on your nature walks or in your back yard! To pin them, yous'll exist using entomological pins which come in a range of sizes (the near common size beingness #2 and #3) and I recommend using insect pins made of stainless steel and then that they do not rust. Since butterflies and moths have wings that demand to be supported, you will also demand a spreading board that y'all volition use to position them on top of and they will be kept in that location until they dry out. If you don't have time to pivot your butterfly or moth immediately, they can be stored temporarily in a folded up triangle made of parchment paper with their wings folded together. They will then need to be relaxed before pinning. Specimens that are pinned and properly dried tin be kept for an indefinite amount of time if they are properly stored.

Materials:

– a tight sealing container
– rubbing alcohol
– insect spreading board: the board you'll be using as a base. I've used both forest and styrofoam ones and honestly prefer the inexpensive styrofoam ones, like the 1 linked.
– insect pinning forceps: I recommend using a pair of these because butterflies and moths are fragile and you'll want to minimize handling
– insect pins: come in a diversity of sizes, the nigh common being size #two and #iii. I typically utilise a #two pin for butterflies and moths.
Here are some recommendations (one — two — three — iv)
– wax paper: cut into narrow strips, you'll be using these to concur the wings in place as they dry out.
– display box: I'yard currently using this one with a piece of foam board every bit a backing within. I'd like to build a custom one in the future but for now this 1 works well.

Instructions for pinning and preserving butterflies and Moths

Step ane: How to relax stale insects

You can skip this stride if your nerveless specimens are fresh and still pliable. If your specimens are dried out and brittle, yous will need to rehydrate them prior to pinning them. You can do so past creating a relaxing chamber for them using a tight sealing container (I use an former food storage container with a lid) and paper towels.
To create an insect relaxing sleeping accommodation: Moisten a paper towel with equal parts rubbing alcohol (to prevent mold) and water. Squeeze out excess liquid so that the paper towel is damp but not soaking wet and place in a single layer on the bottom of your container. Place your butterfly or moth on meridian of this layer (insects will exist very fragile, and then handle with care). I like to identify a pocket-size slice of mesh screen underneath so that information technology does non sit directly on the paper towel. Add another damp paper towel on elevation (domed over so that it does non sit directly on the specimen). Close the lid tightly and leave undisturbed for 24-48 hours. The moisture from the paper towels volition create humidity within of your closed container that will rehydrate your specimens and allow their limbs to become soft and pliable again. Check your specimens for pliability every 24 hours— when antennae and such can be hands moved so your butterfly or moth is ready to be spread and pinned!

Step two: How to insert an insect pin

Using your fingers, hold your specimen nether the thorax and gently clasp the thorax. You should see the wings separate a bit. Insert a pin through the center of the thorax from the Meridian of the specimen at a 90 degree angle. A pinning block may be helpful to use a guide if you're just starting out but it isn't necessary. Be careful when handling the wings as y'all can accidentally rub some of the scales off.

Footstep 3: How to spread butterfly and moth wings

Push the pin into the center groove of the board and button down into the foam until the bottom of your specimen'due south wings are even with the sides of the board. Cut several narrow strips of wax paper most one/iv" wide depending on the size of your butterfly or moth. These will be used to hold the wings in place on the lath as they dry. Utilise forceps to gently open up the wings and pivot a narrow strip on each side to concord them down (place a pin at the top and bottom on each side, simply practice not pin through the wings.

Pace iv: How to position the forewings

Outset you'll be moving the forewings (the wings peak) into place. Move the forewing up past very gently grabbing the top vein with the tip of the forceps and puling it upward. Place an additional strip of wax paper diagonally across the forewing as shown and insert a pin both above and below the wing. Brand sure that you take pinned around the wing and non through it. Repeat this same process for the other forewing.

Stride v: How to position the hindwings and end pinning

After yous have positioned and pinned the forewings, practise the same process as above for the hindwing, instead using the vein at the very bottom to motility the fly. Identify an boosted strip of wax paper diagonally across each hindwing to concord them in place equally well. Adjust the antennae, legs and body into a natural position if necessary. If the abdomen is droopy, an like shooting fish in a barrel way to hold information technology upwardly is by propping it up with two pins that have been crossed over each other. This specimen's head was tilted to 1 side, so I used the pins to adjust information technology. Allow your specimen to dry in this position for several days, I usually exit mine undisturbed for well-nigh a week.

Footstep 6: How to Display Insect Specimens

In one case completely dry, carefully remove the pins and strips of paper. Gently transfer to a display case by pushing the pivot into a foam backing inside. Add together a label to identify your specimen. Place your display box away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures/humidity. I've heard of pests getting into boxes and destroying specimens, so you may desire to place some cedar chips inside to prevent this as well as to absorb wet.

Source: https://woodlarkblog.com/how-to-pin-butterflies-and-moths/

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