30 



COLLECTING AND PRESERVING INSECTS 



Grasshoppers, bees and flies, butterflies and moths, etc., are 

 pinned through the thorax, as shown in figures 37 and 38. Beetles 

 are pinned through the right elytron, or wing cover, as shown in 

 figure 39. Bugs are pinned through the median point of the scu- 

 tellum (Figs. 40 and 41). 



Fia. 40. A true bug correctly pinned. 



FIQ. 41. Labels, showing species and 

 locality. 



Fia. 42. A spreading board for moths and 

 butterflies. 



FIG. 43. Microscopic insects mounted on 

 pith block. 



Butterflies and moths should be spread on a spreading board 

 as shown in figure 42. They are transferred to the collection when 

 dried. Frequently the wings of other insects are spread if a col- 

 lector has time to go into such niceties. 



Two dissecting needles, made by pushing the blunt ends of 

 needles into round sticks 4 inches long, of the diameter of lead 

 pencils, will be found useful tools in spreading. 



