PRESERVATION AND STORAGE 



For routine collecting, a supply of 4-drara vials almost full of 80% 

 ethyl alcohol is handy. Fine-tipped forceps, preferably of the curved 

 type, are indispensable. If not young and near-sighted, the collector 

 should have either magnifying glasses or glasses enabling him to read 

 fine print. 



For ordinary purposes, 70-80% ethyl alcohol is satisfactory for killing, 

 transport, and storage of both larvae and adults. If one anticipates 

 detailed dissection of internal parts, it may be better to preserve 

 initially in Pampl's fluid, which contains acetic acid for rapid pene- 

 tration. Specimens should be removed from Pampl's fluid to 70-80% 

 alcohol for storage. Whether the insects have been killed in alcohol or 

 in Pampl's fluid and then transferred to alcohol, if is best to change 

 the alcohol after a few days. It is also sometimes desirable to add 

 about 5% glycerol to the alcohol in which specimens are stored. This 

 serves a dual function: it helps keep the appendages flexible and, 

 should the cap not prove airtight, prevents complete drying of the 

 specimen if all the alcohol evaporates. 



Pampl's Fluid 



Glacial acetic acid 4 ml 



Distilled water 30 ml 



Formalin (40% formaldehyde) 6 ml 



95% ethyl alcohol 15 ml 



A common and sensible museum storage method for specimens preserved in 

 alcohol is to place the specimens in vials, along with appropriate data 

 and alcohol, to plug with cotton or cotton wool, then to place upside 

 down for storage in a larger jar half filled with alcohol. Cheap shell 

 vials are satisfactory for this, and many can be kept in a single jar. 

 If vials are to be stored instead in narrow trays, it is probably best 

 to use patent lip vials with rubber stoppers. Cork stoppers are 

 totally unreliable, and a discouraging percentage of screw-cap vials 

 allow evaporation of the alcohol because of imperfections of either the 

 lip or the cap liner. 



For standard dry preservation of adults in Schmitt boxes or cabinet 

 drawers, virtually all of our dryopoid beetles are small enough for the 

 use of points. In fact, most are so small that they cannot be pinned 

 otherwise, even with minuten nadeln. 



