LESSON 4
ARTHROPOD PRESERVATION, MOUNTING, AND SHIPPING
Section I. INTRODUCTION
4-1.
GENERAL
No discussion of arthropods would be complete without a description of the
proper way to preserve, mount, and ship specimens. The purpose of proper arthropod
preservation and mounting is to faciIitate arthropod handling, to aid in identification, and
to ensure proper storage. In this lesson you wiII also learn the correct way to prepare
arthropod specimens for shipment to another person or to another laboratory.
4-2.
SUPPLY ITEMS
You may see references to many supply items that are unfamiIiar to you, but
these items are all available through normal supply channels. Appendix B Iists some of
the supplies and equipment that are used in arthropod preservation, mounting, and
shipping. For standard supply items, the national stock number is given. Nonstandard
items may be purchased locally.
Section II. PIN MOUNTS
4-3.
INSECT PIN MOUNTS
Hard-bodied arthropods the size of an average housefly or larger are mounted
directly on insect pins. Such specimens include the larger Diptera (fiIth flies, houseflies,
blowflies, etc.) as well as insects of the orders Hymenoptera, Orthoptera, Coleoptera,
and Hemiptera. Standard, number 2 and 3 pins are best for mounting hard-bodied
arthropods. For efficient pinning, the specimen should be grasped with the thumb and
forefinger and the pin inserted with the other hand. Specimens may be killed in kiIIing
jars or by freezing, when possible. Be sure to thaw frozen specimens thoroughly before
handling. Specimens are pinned as follows.
a. The large Diptera and Hymenoptera are mounted by placing the pin through
the right dorsal thorax (see figure 4-1).
b. Orthoptera and Coleoptera are pinned through the right thoracic wing cover
(see figure 4-2).
MD0170
4-2