New here-pinning insects

[abiasiny]

Hello All! I may perhaps be in the wrong community to ask this. My boyfriend has a collection of pinned insects…....And now he wants to start pinning his own. I did a "google" search for bug pinning forums and this site was one of the top three to come up all because someone posted a thread on pinning insects. I just wanted advice on what he would need for a starter kit. His birthday is coming up and I wanted it to be a surprise. I suppose I was looking for advice if any one happened to be have suggestions on what to purchase. It's not exactly a common thing to do and I have no experience in the matter. I just wanted him to be pleased on the things I purchased for his gift.

And.. I must say chameleons are just absolutely beautiful.. I do not own one. But may now be inspired.

 

[junglefries]

I assume pinning means like the butterfly pictures you see. There are people selling crazy feeders here [nick barta , pigglett79, lindasgonebuggy.com] Nick's 8" stick bugs and mantis would look awesome considering their size. If I am right, try him, he has some creepy stuff.

 

[Connorology]

It depends what type of insects you are mounting, and whether or not you are collecting your own or buying them (which I have always thought was cheating).

For butterflies you need some kind of mounting board, which essentially consists of two slightly angled blocks (ideally adjustable) to support the wings while your specimen dries. The same type of tool can be used for dragon flies. You need wax paper to cover the wings as they dry.

...For other insects else you basically need to get creative, I always used pieces of foam and just cut them to the appropriate size. You'll need insect pins, I think I used 1s.. Don't recall.

So: 1) mounting board 2) Styrofoam 3) insect pins 4) wax paper 5) case/plastic shoebox for storage 6) mothballs to preserve specimens. Forceps and a magnifying glass wouldn't hurt either.

If you're catching your own insects you'll need 1) a butterfly net, 2) a kill jar for non-butterflies, and 3) envelopes for storage.

I did this when I was younger and had no money, so all my equipment was home made. I'm sure you can buy it though, check out biological supply stores, they usually have them. College bookstores might have them too for entomology students.

 

[Leslie11]

Riker

You will need Riker boxes for mounting. They are the black frames, with the cotton inside, to pin your buggies onto. If you goggle "riker boxes" that will start you off, and I am sure you will find a lot of things. Shop around.

 

[abiasiny]

I assume pinning means like the butterfly pictures you see. There are people selling crazy feeders here [nick barta , pigglett79, lindasgonebuggy.com] Nick's 8" stick bugs and mantis would look awesome considering their size. If I am right, try him, he has some creepy stuff.

Thank you!! I will look into this! He loves the creepy unique stuff!

 

[abiasiny]

It depends what type of insects you are mounting, and whether or not you are collecting your own or buying them (which I have always thought was cheating).

For butterflies you need some kind of mounting board, which essentially consists of two slightly angled blocks (ideally adjustable) to support the wings while your specimen dries. The same type of tool can be used for dragon flies. You need wax paper to cover the wings as they dry.

...For other insects else you basically need to get creative, I always used pieces of foam and just cut them to the appropriate size. You'll need insect pins, I think I used 1s.. Don't recall.

So: 1) mounting board 2) Styrofoam 3) insect pins 4) wax paper 5) case/plastic shoebox for storage 6) mothballs to preserve specimens. Forceps and a magnifying glass wouldn't hurt either.

If you're catching your own insects you'll need 1) a butterfly net, 2) a kill jar for non-butterflies, and 3) envelopes for storage.

I did this when I was younger and had no money, so all my equipment was home made. I'm sure you can buy it though, check out biological supply stores, they usually have them. College bookstores might have them too for entomology students.

Thank you!! This was very helpful! He pinned his own in college. Since then his collection of purchased pinned bugs is growing. Taking some get used to on my part but some of them are really unique looking. Now he wants to start doing his own. I'm sure he'll do a combo of capturing his own and ordering some.

 

[abiasiny]

You will need Riker boxes for mounting. They are the black frames, with the cotton inside, to pin your buggies onto. If you goggle "riker boxes" that will start you off, and I am sure you will find a lot of things. Shop around.

Thanks!! I did not know what these were called! I'll have to get back to everyone and let ya'll know how it turned out! Maybe I'll post a pic of his finished project!