HOW TO KNOW THE INSECTS 



front. V/here insects are mounted on points or cards the label 

 Is pinned through the right end, stands under the point or card 

 and extends parallel with It. Always use the pinning block 

 (second step) to get the proper height for the locality label. 

 Locality labels should always be put on specimens promptly before 

 there Is a chance for mistakes. 



To know the food of a species or Its habitat are facts of 

 high scientific value. These may be put In a word or two on the 

 bottom of the locality label or may go on a separate label. Some 

 collectors assign the specimen a number and make a more detailed 

 record of habitat, food, peculiar habits, etc. In a notebook. 

 The collector should not undertake such records In any form un- 

 less he plans to be very accurate with them. In fact one should 

 not engage In any kind of scientific work If he cannot be reli- 

 able and trustworthy. 



At some later time, when the knowledge is available, a label 

 bearing the scientific name of the specimen may be pinned (first 

 step of pinning block) below the locality label and in the same 

 relative position. Name labels often have black border lines. 

 The genus and species names together with the authority should 

 be neatly printed. With many speclm.ens it is desirable to mark 

 the sex. The label may also contain the catalog number and a 

 name and date shov/lng by whom and when determined. By use of the 

 catalog number, specimens may be easily arranged in their logical 

 order. 



Cigar boxes with tight fitting bottoms of corrugated paper 

 are useful for housing collections. Arrange Insects to face the 

 lid of the box when open. Use a grade of corrugated paper which 

 takes Insect pins easily. It is better to make it double. The 

 supply houses make and sell several styles of Insect boxes and 

 cases. If one buys Insect boxes he should see that they are pest 

 tight. Even then, fumigation about twice a year is necessary to 

 Insure against loss from Insect pests. Cigar boxes require to be 

 even more closely ¥/atched. Paradichlorobenzene makes a good 

 fumlgant and is not poisonous to man or particularly objection- 

 able. Put a small spoonfull of the white crystals into each box 

 and let them evaporate. Carbon disulphlde is sometimes used. It 

 stains, has a bad odor, and is highly explosive when mixed with 

 air. 



Duplicates are frequently papered instead of being pinned. 

 They are put between two squares of cotton wadding or cellu- 

 cotton and folded in a paper. No cotton is used for Lepidoptera, 

 bees, flies, or other Insects with large wings. The paper should 

 be plainly labeled on the outside to show the scientific name and 

 catalog number of the species, the number of specimens in the 

 paper, the locality and date of collection, and the collector's 

 name. Such papered specimens must be kept In tightly closed 

 containers with some insecticide to keep out skin beetles and 

 other pests and should not be opened without relaxing. 



After Insects have been pinned, the specimien itself must 

 never be touched without being previously relaxed. In handling 

 pinned Insects be careful not to let the fingers slide down on 

 the pin and touch the Insect. Pinning forceps are frequently 

 used for transferring pinned specimens. 



The larvae of insects such as caterpillars, grubs, etc., are 

 too soft to be pinned. They may be killed by dropping in water 

 at the boiling point for five to ten minutes, then preserved in 



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