4 Ways To Preserve Insects

Most rubbing alcohol is a 70% solution—this should work well for preserving your insects. Stronger rubbing alcohol—at 80 or 85%–is also appropriate, as some insects are better preserved with a stronger alcohol. [1] X Research source Examples of insects that should be preserved in stronger alcohol include: spiders, scorpions, earthworms, and small insects including lice and silverfish. [2] X Research source Make sure that the glass jar has a tight-fitting lid and does not have any cracks.

You can also trap insects yourself through a variety of methods: for example, catching moths and butterflies in a butterfly net. [3] X Research source While some would object to the ethics of killing insects simply to preserve them, traps are an effective way to make sure you have dead insects available.

There are many helpful websites that can help you identify the dead insect. [4] X Research source Start by checking BugGuide. net or InsectIdentification. org. If these sites aren’t helpful, try to contact a local entomologist.

If the insect has a stinger (bees, wasps) or is known to be poisonous, wear latex gloves when handling the body.

Close and seal the jar, then store it in a safe location. If you’re planning on starting a large insect collection, it may be prudent to dedicate an entire tabletop to the jars. Store the insect jars far from food, children, and animals.

Use a jar that is large enough to contain the suspended insect, but one that will not require a wasteful amount of hand sanitizer.

If you’re suspending a delicate insect, such as a bee or wasp, take care not to break the wings or body when pressing it into the gel. Larger hard-bodied insects—such as butterflies—may be difficult to preserve in hand sanitizer, since the gel may snap off part of the body. While it’s OK to preserve other hard-bodied insects in hand sanitizer, look for ones that do not have delicate protruding wings or antennae.

Avoid getting water into the jars, as it could weaken or dissolve the hand sanitizer. Many will consider the air bubbles aesthetically unpleasant and a distraction from observing the preserved insect. If you are not bothered by the air bubbles in the hand sanitizer, you can skip this step.

These jars can be handled by children (with adult supervision) and are excellent for museums or outreach events. [8] X Research source

Most hard-shelled insects take at least three days to rehydrate. Larger bugs need a minimum of five days to rehydrate. You may check on your insect every day, once you can move the limbs easily it is ready. If you add too much alcohol, use only paper towels, or leave the specimen to rehydrate too long, the specimen may get wet. This can cause the insect to deteriorate or rot. Avoid this by separating the insect from the wet towel with more dry layers. If your insect begins to deteriorate, you may be able to salvage it. Do not pick up the insect. Remove the dry surface it is lying on and set it out to dry, then try again once it is no longer wet.

If you’re pinning a beetle, insert the pin through the middle of the right wing sheath. [11] X Research source

While the insect is not in a frame, protect your specimens by storing them in a cabinet or a set of drawers, or even by placing the pinned insects in a wooden cigar box. Adding mothballs to the box will protect from scavengers. [13] X Research source

DO NOT use regular tweezers. If they are not flat-tipped, they will rip the wings.

You may want to prepare some extra strips just in case.

Small butterflies (1-5cm) can take as little as a day to rehydrate. Medium-sized butterflies (1-8 inches) can take a few days, and larger butterflies may take up to five days. You may check your butterfly by attempting to spread the wings. To do this, use tweezers to separate the two wings from the gap right above the head. If there is resistance, your specimen needs more time. If you begin the pinning process and the top wings are resistant and will not lay fully flat, it needs more time to rehydrate. If you add too much alcohol, use only paper towels, or leave the specimen to rehydrate too long, the specimen may get wet. This can cause the insect to deteriorate or rot. If this happens, it is likely the specimen will be too damaged to pin. Avoid this by separating the insect from the wet towel with more dry layers. If your insect begins to deteriorate, you may be able to salvage it. Do not pick up the insect. Remove the dry surface it is lying on and set it out to dry. Evaluate the butterfly. If the wings have stuck together, you may try to separate the wings with tweezers and place a wax paper strip between the wings until it dries. Try rehydrating again once it is completely dry.

If you can’t separate them with tweezers, do not try to push the wax paper down through the top. This will most likely result in folding or tearing the wing tips. Try sliding the wax paper from the front (right above the head) as there is normally a gap between the wings at the shoulder joint.

If you begin the pinning process and the top wings do not lay fully flat, it needs more time to rehydrate. Do not press on them anyways, it will cause the wings to snap. You can leave the strips in between the wings while the butterfly continues to rehydrate for convenience. If the wings are slipping, pull the wax paper strips tighter and pin at an angle. Place the pins so that they lean away from the butterfly. This should keep the wax paper down more firmly.

Remember to hold the wing you are not moving down while you position the other wing on the same side. Some butterflies have a thick vein towards the top of the wing. If you do not have flat-nosed tweezers, you may drag the wing with a pin with this vein. Do not point the pin downwards when you do this as you will likely puncture the wing. Hold it sideways and pin the wing in place with the paper as usual. Wearing gloves is advised, as the oils on the skin can remove scales. If your hands are sweaty, this may also pull scales off the wing, even through gloves and wax paper. Dry your hands frequently.

If you plan to develop a large collection of pinned insects, you may wish to start with a large piece of foam or cork, so the collection has room to expand. Protect the pinned insects by storing it in a cabinet or a set of drawers, or even by placing the pinned insects in a wooden cigar box. Adding mothballs from the box will protect from scavengers. [16] X Research source