14 American Midland Naturalist Monograph No. 3 



be prepared for shipment by setting them firmly by means of pinning forceps 

 in an insect box. It is preferable to spread a thin layer of cotton over the 

 bottom of the box before setting the pins to protect any specimens which 

 may become detached. 



Killing and Mounting. — Mosquitoes which have been reared from larvae 

 or pupae should not be killed immediately after emergence but should be 

 kept alive for at least 24 hours to permit the body to harden. They should 

 not be left long in small vials after emergence, as they may become wet or 

 badly rubbed. Better results are obtained if emergence is allowed to occur in a 

 suitable cage. 



When recently killed specimens are available for pinning, micro-pins 

 (minuten nadeln) should always be used. The micro-pin is pushed through 

 a small rectangular piece of cork through which a larger insect pin (No. 3 

 or 4) is passed at right angle. The point of the micro-pin is thrust into 

 the thorax of the mosquito, preferably between the coxae, directed toward 

 but not piercing the scutum (Fig. 4, C). 



Dry specimens can be mounted on triangular paper points using cellulose 

 cement ^ or shellac as an adhesive. An insect pin (No. 3 or 4) is passed 

 through the base of the paper point. A small drop of cement is placed on 

 the tip of the point and pressed against the left side of the thorax of the 

 specimen with the tip directed toward the scutum (Fig. 4, C). 



Storage of Specimens. — Glass-topped cabinet drawers are desirable for 

 storing reference collections. This is probably the most practical method 

 of housing pinned specimens, especially if pinning trays are used for storage 

 of a series of each species. At least two styles of insect drawers, the Cornell 

 University type and the National Museum type, can be obtained from 

 supply houses in this country. 



Pinned specimens to be used for teaching purposes, or small personal 

 collections, may be stored in Schmitt boxes or other insect boxes of tight 

 construction having bottoms lined with sheet cork or balsa wood. Unpinned 

 specimens can be stored in labeled pill boxes prepared in the same manner as 

 those used for shipping. 



Care must be taken to protect stored specimens from insect pests. If 

 collections are neglected for even a few months, they may be completely 

 destroyed. Flake napthalene and paradichlorobenzene are generally used for 

 this purpose. Either of these chemicals or a mixture of the two should be 

 placed in a small perforated container and fastened in one corner of the 

 insect box. In damp climates, extra precautions mav be necessary to deter 

 the growth of destructive molds. Mold growth may be prevented by storage 

 in dry chambers, or by thinly painting the insides of the boxes with creosote 



1 Cellulose cement can be prepared by dissolving celluloid in amyl acetate. Amyl 

 acetate is a volatile substance and the stock cement will need to be thinned frequently. 

 Cellulose cement can also be purchased in small tubes. When about one part balsam is 

 added to three parts of the cellulose cement, a more adhesive, less brittle, and slower 

 drying product is obtained. 



