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Post by ash on Apr 15, 2014 1:54:51 GMT -8
Hi,
I live in a hot wet Tropical climate. One advantage is that birdwings and other large spectacular insects fly in my back yard - one disadvantage is that it is very difficult to keep our collections dry and free from mould. Recently we had a cyclone named Ita come to visit and we lost power for a few days, the result being that some specimens got mould one them.
I use napthalene in the boxes and was also going to use chlorocresol but an entomologist friend of mine suggested that it changed greens to browns in cicada and grasshoppers and said I should seek some advice before using it with my butterflies. Has anyone got experience with chlorocresol? Is it safe (for the insect specimens) to use?
Does anyone have any other mould deterrent suggestions? My cases are from Australian Entomological Supplies and are profesionally made, but clearly they cannot be moisture tight.
thankyou
Ash
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Post by Adam Cotton on Apr 15, 2014 9:42:18 GMT -8
The best solution is air conditioning, or as an alternative a de-humidifier, to reduce the humidity of the air in the room rather than anti-mould chemicals. Chlorocresol can indeed change colours of some butterflies.
Adam.
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Post by ash on Apr 16, 2014 14:57:31 GMT -8
Hi Adam, Thankyou for replying, yes we have air-conditioning but I think it is time for a dedicated dehumidifier. With regard to chemical control (for specimens that have already had some mould) is there anything better recommended? Ash
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