Insect Specimen Making Guide for Beginners | Explanation of Tools, Procedures, and Storage Methods
A beginner's guide to insect specimen making. Introduction of necessary tools, procedures for wing and leg spreading, drying methods, label writing, and long-term storage tips.
Key Takeaways
A beginner's guide to insect specimen making. Introduction of necessary tools, procedures for wing and leg spreading, drying methods, label writing, and long-term storage tips.
Insect specimens are enjoyed by a wide range of people as a hobby that allows you to preserve the beauty of insects semi-permanently, from children's free research projects to serious adult collections. With the correct method, you can create specimens that maintain their beauty for decades. If you're interested in starting from the collection process itself, please also refer to Insect Collection Guide for Beginners | How to Catch and Respectfully Handle Stag Beetles and Rhinoceros Beetles, while this article explains the basic methods of insect specimen making that even beginners can tackle.
Tools Needed for Specimen Making
Let's gather the basic tools. They can be obtained from specialty stores and online retailers.
Basic Tools
Insect pins (specimen pins): Specialized pins for fixing specimens. They range from size 0 to 5, and are selected according to the insect's size. Size 3-4 for rhinoceros beetles, size 1-2 for butterflies
Spreading board: A board for spreading and fixing the wings of butterflies and moths. Select a size with groove width that fits the insect's body
Leg-spreading stand: A stand for arranging the legs of beetles. Can be substituted with styrofoam or cork board
Tweezers: Fine-tipped tweezers. Essential for handling insects without damaging them
Insect pin holder (pin vise): A tool for precisely inserting pins straight
Paraffin paper (glassine paper): Semi-transparent paper for pressing down butterfly wings
Other
Airtight container for softening (plastic container, etc.)
Paper towels or tissues
Paper for labels
Insect repellent (naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene)
Specimen box (German box is standard)
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Preparing Insects for Specimens
For fresh insects
If the insect is freshly dead, the body remains soft and can be worked on as is
The common method is to euthanize in a freezer (place in an airtight container and leave in the freezer for 24 hours or more)
For dried insects (softening treatment)
Line the bottom of an airtight container with moistened paper towels
Place the insect on tissue and put it in the container (ensuring it doesn't touch water directly)
Add a preservative (a few drops of vinegar) to prevent mold
Seal the container and leave for 1-3 days (larger insects take longer)
The softening is complete when the joints move smoothly
Creating Beetle Specimens (Rhinoceros Beetles and Stag Beetles)
Beetles are typically displayed with their legs spread (arranged and fixed).
Procedure
Insert the insect pin straight into the thorax (slightly in front of where the elytra meet)
Adjust so the top of the pin extends about 1cm from the insect's back
Insert the pin into the leg-spreading stand (styrofoam) to secure it
Use tweezers to arrange the legs symmetrically left and right. Front legs point forward, middle legs point sideways, hind legs point backward
Fix the legs with pins (insert pins near the joints of the legs to prevent movement)
Arrange the antennae symmetrically and fix them with pins
Dry in this state for 2-4 weeks
How to Make Butterfly and Moth Specimens (Wing Spreading)
The standard method for butterflies and moths is to display them with wings spread.
Procedure
Align the body with the groove in the spreading board and fix it with an insect pin
Place paraffin paper over the wings
Carefully spread the wings through the paraffin paper. The basic position is when the lower edge of the front wings is perpendicular to the body
Position the hind wings so they are slightly visible below the front wings
Fix the paraffin paper with pins so the wings don't move
Arrange the left and right wings symmetrically
Arrange the antennae and fix them with pins
Allow to dry completely over 2-4 weeks
Creating Labels
Labels must always be attached to specimens. Labels are an important element that determines the scientific value of a specimen.
Information to Record
Collection location (as detailed as possible: prefecture, municipality, specific location)
Collection date (year, month, day)
Collector's name
Species name (common name and scientific name. Can be added later if not yet identified)
How to Write Labels
Write on a small piece of paper (approximately 10mm × 20mm)
Write with pencil or print with an inkjet printer (water-based pens will smudge, so they cannot be used)
Attach by inserting below the specimen pin
When creating specimens from breeding stock, recording the emergence date, pedigree information, generation number, and parent insect size in place of collection information is extremely useful as both a breeding record and reference material. When reviewing years later, memories of the breeding conditions at that time come back, and the value of the collection increases dramatically.
Identifying Species (Basics of Identification)
You may not immediately know the species name of insects you've collected or purchased. Even if labeling is delayed, there's no problem, so take your time and proceed with identification.
Compare with field guides: Regional insect guides are easier to use for identification since they narrow down closely related species found in the same area
Show to experts: When you ask at museum identification meetings or insect enthusiast communities, they can often identify from photos alone
Be careful with species that differ between males and females: Species with large sexual dimorphism are easily mistaken for different species, so compare multiple individuals
Keep location information: Even the same species has regional variations, so a record of the collection location helps with identification
Specimen Storage Methods
Here are tips for preserving completed specimens beautifully for a long time.
Choosing a Specimen Box
German boxes (wooden boxes with glass lids) are most common and have a nice appearance
Choose one with high airtightness (to prevent insect damage)
The bottom should be made of material that pins can pierce, such as cork or styrofoam
Storage Precautions
Place insect repellent in the corner of the specimen box (to protect against insects that eat specimens)
Avoid direct sunlight (it causes color fading)
Avoid high temperature and humidity (it causes mold)
Replace insect repellent regularly (every 6 months to 1 year)
Handle specimens with clean hands. Oils can cause mold
BreederDirect also makes it possible to purchase beautiful individuals from breeders and obtain specimen-making materials. In particular, large stag beetles and rhinoceros beetles make striking specimens. Why not consult with a breeder about sourcing individuals suitable for specimen making?
