Collecting & preserving

Collecting methods (most frequently used):

- sweeping net (+/- aspirator)

- Malaise trap

- yellow pan trap (YPT)

- rearing

Preserving methods:

- dry

- in alcohol 80-90% (preferably in the freezer)

Dry:

- card mounted (pointed or rectangular)

- slide mounted - parts only (Hoyer/Faure medium, but preferably Canada balm)

- (in layers) in flat plastic boxes

- in gelatine capsules or glass/plastic tubes

- DO NOT directly pin the insects!

Drying methods:

- air drying (for species having strongly sclerotized cuticles)

- Critical Point drying (CPD)

- Hexamethyldisilazene (HMDS) drying

Details can be found here.