Difference between revisions of "Entomology Collection Curation"

Revision as of 19:45, 29 May 2023

Statement of Purpose

These links and documents contain information about curating entomology collections.

Introduction

Entomology collections have methods that have been used successfully for many hundreds of years, and proper use of these methods will ensure long-term preservation of these unique specimens. Traditionally, entomology curation has been divided into three main types of preservation:

1. Dry Collections (Pinned, Secondary Mounts, Envelopes)
2. Slide Collections
3. Collections

Unlike many other vertebrate or other animal groups, most insects can be preserved dry, on specially-made archival stainless steel insect pins or in envelopes, or temporarily in airtight boxes or containers. This type of curation is relatively unique to this group. Other methods for insects overlap quite extensively with other groups, so will not be covered on this page (See links above for slide and fluid collections).

Pinned collections

Pinning is the most common method of preserving insects. Insect pins consist of a stainless steel with outer layers of enamel and a resin pinhead. Pinned insects are placed in foam unit trays. The unit trays are stored in wooden drawers, which in turn are stored in cabinets.

Hazards

• Old insect pins were made with brass or copper which reacts with lipids in the insect's body over time to produce verdigris ^[1]. Verdigris is a waxy substance which looks like green metal filaments. It can destroy a pinned insect if allowed to continue. Use gloves when handling specimens that are covered in verdigris and avoid touching it with your bare skin.
• Insect curators historically used naphthalene mothballs to protect against pest insects. This is not recommended anymore, as naphthalene can be harmful to human health. Be conscious about any chemical smells that emerge from collections and monitor how they are affecting you.
• Insect pins are sharp - beware!

Handling

• Only handle a pinned insect by the head of the pin
• Do not touch the insect
• Pull the pin out of the foam as vertically as possible
• Moving to one side as you pull up can cause the pin to flick as it leaves the foam, potentially damaging the insect
• When replacing an insect in its tray, push the pin into the foam as far as it will go without bumping the insect's labels or legs into the foam

Storage

• Pinned insects should be placed in straight rows in their trays
• The insects should not touch each other, and their labels should not overlap
• Insect drawers should seal to protect the specimens from pests and environmental extremes
• Cabinets should also seal to protect against pests, environmental extremes, water, and light
• Pinned insects can be stored with the pins sitting vertically in a horizontal foam substrate (ideal) or displayed on a wall with the pin affixed horizontally in a vertical foam substrate
• Do not display insects in direct sun
• Indirect and low-UV light is best for display purposes

Secondary Mounts

Envelopes

Contributors

Jianjia Gettinger Tommy McElrath

Source Material

Collecting and Preserving Insects and Mites. ^[2]

Curatorial Care of Natural History Collections. ^[3]

Links

Pinned Insect Quick Reference Guide

Insect Storage Techniques for Small Collections

References

1. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verdigris
2. ↑ Schauff, Michael (editor). 2001. COLLECTING AND PRESERVING INSECTS AND MITES: TECHNIQUES AND TOOLS. https://www.ars.usda.gov/ARSUserFiles/80420580/CollectingandPreservingInsectsandMites/collpres.pdf. USDA ARS Systematic Entomology Laboratory.
3. ↑ National Parks Service. 1999. Appendix Q: Curatorial Care of Natural History Collections in Museum Handbook Part 1. hmp://www.nps.gov/museum/publications/MHI/AppendQ.pdf National Parks Service, Washington.