April, 1907.] Collecting and Preserving Thysanura. 119 



NOTES AND METHODS ON COLLECTING AND PRESERVING 



THYSANURA. 



Alma Draver Jackson. 



In studying the Thysanura during the past two 3^ears many 

 difficulties were encountered in regard to collecting and pre- 

 serving specimens which could be used with any satisfaction a 

 few months after they were mounted. A great deal of time and 

 many specimens were lost before anything like satisfactory 

 results were obtained. The Collembola are especially difficult 

 to handle since their chitinous body walls are almost impervious 

 to ordinarv fixing agents. If dried they shrink beyond recogni- 

 tion and "the same difficulty is met with in using numerous 

 reagents. It is hoped that these methods and reagents which 

 have been found satisfactory in studying the Thysanura may 

 prove helpful in woi'king with other insects whose bodies are of 

 like texture, and whose habits are similar. 



In order to facilitate the study of these insects two methods 

 of field collecting are employed ; the specimens are either collected 

 and brought to the laboratory alive, or are collected in some 

 reagent which will keep them in as perfect and natural a state as 

 possible. The latter method is very difficult, since reagents 

 that will keep other insects, or even some species of the Collem- 

 bola in perfect condition will shrink or distort other species to 

 such an extent that they are useless. 



For most purposes it is more desirable to collect these small 

 insects alive and bring them into the laboratory for fixing. 



Collecting in Capsules. — One of the most successful 

 methods for collecting alive I have found to be by the use of 

 large size capsules. A small piece of lense paper was placed in 

 each capsule to absorb moisture from the insect and give them 

 something to crawl over. By being careful the larger end of the 

 capsule may be placed over the insect, and if it does not choose 

 to go into its new quarters immediately may be gently urged on 

 by means of a small brush pushed under the edge of the capsule. 

 It is best not to place more than two or three insects in one 

 capsule as they require careful handling to keep them alive for 

 any length of time. Air may be admitted to the capsule by 

 puncturing one end by a fine pin point. It is important that 

 the insects be kept alive since the antennae and body begin to 

 shrink almost immediately after death. 



Collecting in Large Mouthed Bottles. — For this method 

 of collecting one should be provided with several large mouthed 

 bottles and a good sized funnel. The funnel is placed in the 

 neck of the bottle and pieces of decaying wood, bark, etc., on 

 which the insects are hiding are gently tapped or pounded 



