Entomology Collection Curation
Contents
Statement of Purpose
These links and documents contain information about entomology collection curation.
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:
- Dry Collections (Pinned, Secondary Mounts, Envelopes)
- Slide Collections
- 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
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.
Secondary Mounts
Envelopes
Contributors
Jianjia Gettinger Tommy McElrath
Source Material
Collecting and Preserving Insects and Mites. [1]
Curatorial Care of Natural History Collections. [2]
Links
Pinned Insect Quick Reference Guide
Insect Storage Techniques for Small Collections
References
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 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.
