- The following pages contain instructions for preparing specimens for your collection, and maintaining the collection. I will be adding more sections soon.
Spreading Butterflies Relaxing Jar
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INSECT COLLECTING |  |
SHARING WITH OTHERS:
I have collected insects off and on, for most of my life. My collection now, is based on a summer college class collection of 18 years ago. I have added to it, both local insects and insects I have captured on trips. I need to build another case before I can continue my collection.
We had a 17 year cicada hatch here in the Kansas City area the first half of June, 1999. I was able to share them with a college in Alabama.
LABELING:
My collection is arranged by order, and then by family. That is sufficient to create a well organized collection. The label on each specimen is important. You need enough information to give scientific value to each specimen in your collection. My labels contain the county and state where the insect was taken, along with the full date and my name as the collector. You can create these on your computer and either reduce them to the printer, or reduce them in a copy machine. They need to be small enough to not detract from the insect, and still be easy to read. The following is an example:
April 27, 1999
S. Fuller
Every specimen should have a label on the pin with it. Be sure to use insect pins. You can purchase them at a science or hobby store.