- This is an important piece of equipment for the entomologist / collector. If insects have to be transported long distances from a collecting site, or are shipped to you from another collector, they may be to dry and stiff to spread. The relaxing jar allows you to soften the specimens so they can be properly pinned and spread for your collection.
- The container size depends on how many insects you plan to soften at one time. A Tupperware container works great, but any container with a tight fitting lid will do.
MATERIALS:
Container with tight fitting lid
Fiberglass window screen cut to fit inside the container
Clean sand
Plastic screw caps from plastic pop bottles (number depends on container size)
- or sheet of Styrofoam (the same size as the window screen)
Water (distilled would be the best)CONSTRUCTING THE RELAXING JAR:
1. You need enough clean sand to cover the bottom of the container to a depth of 1/4 to 1/2 inch. It is important to sterilize the sand to kill bacteria and mold that could damage your insect specimens. Put the sand in a pan and bake it in the oven at 350 degrees F for about 20 minutes. BE CAREFUL: the sand will really be hot. When the sand is cool enough, line the bottom of the container.
2. The window screen goes on top of the sand to allow the humid air to surround the specimens. We are using fiberglass screen so it will not rust. It is important that the screen doesn’t touch the sand. One good way to do this is to push plastic pop caps into the sand to support the screen. The number needed will depend on the size of the container. Another good way is to cut a sheet of Styrofoam, the same size as the screen, so it is a frame around the edges of the screen, with cross strips to help support the screen and keep it off the sand. You can pin the screen to the Styrofoam frame.
USING THE RELAXING JAR:
1. Take off the screen and poor water slowly over the sand until it is completely wet. You don’t want any excess water. Replace the screen.
2. Place the specimens to be softened on the screen. Don’t let them touch each other. Secure the lid on the container and place it where it won’t be disturbed.
3. It takes 3 to 4 days for a specimen to be relaxed, depending on its size. You can check their progress after day 2. Some people inject a small amount of ethyl acetate into the thorax of large insects and large bodied moths. If you want to experiment with this, use a small insulin syringe and only inject a very small amount. Then replace them for another day or two as needed.
4. When the specimens are soft and relaxed enough, you can pin and spread them.
HINT 1: Every so often, you need to sterilize the sand as before, to keep mold and bacteria out.
HINT 2: For added protection against mold and bacteria, add a little alcohol to the sand, with the water.
HINT 3: For a small relaxing jar, use a wide mouth jar with a piece of cardboard over the sand.
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- The container size depends on how many insects you plan to soften at one time. A Tupperware container works great, but any container with a tight fitting lid will do.
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RELAXING JAR |  |