removing mold from beetles

[pcm2007]

Hello all,

  Is there any chemical product good to be used on beetles to remove mold that is adhered to the surface of elytra?

I have been succesful with some of it carefully rubbing with a pin, but most of it is a too thin layer I cannot remove mecanically. I've also tried rubbin with an alcohol soggy cotton swab to no success. I'd appreciate any help and also identifying this specimen.

gyazo.com/cd5b68d2dac4d3db2a6e40a5de8773b5

Thanks,

Pedro

[johnnyboy]

Pedro,

I paint the mould with TCP (trichlorophenol) straight from the bottle. It kills the mould effectively. You can use formalin (an aqueous solution of formadldehyde) but this can affect chitin and so damage the beetle surface. Both smell strongly. TCP is used as a mouthwash and is quite safe.

Thanks

Johnny

[pcm2007]

Thank you so much for your help Johnny. I'll try to get TCP and will post results for all those interested.

Pedro

[pcm2007]

I have tried unsuccesfully to find a supplier of TCP online in Spain

[bandrow]

Greetings,

I was looking at the image of your specimen and wanted to ask a question. Please don't be insulted if I'm way off base, I don't mean this to sound like you're missing something obvious, but... are you sure the matter you're trying to remove is mold? The image shows a specimen that appears to have little patches of white flecking, but the general symmetry of the patches look like normal pubescent coloration to me. Many cetoniine scarabs have this type of opaque, dense pubescence that could appear to be mold - and would be very difficult to remove without actually scraping it off.

I just don't want you to ruin your specimen by trying to remove something that is a normal characteristic of the integument...

Cheers!
Bandrow

[pcm2007]

Hello Brandow,

  Thank you very much for your reply. You are very right about the dots, but let me show you a better image of what I mean:

gyazo.com/000502b970ffc978a42ec827181bb231

Now I'm seeing with all of this detail that it's crushed. I found it legs up on a dirty road, probably someone stepped over it...or a bycicle

Pedro

P.S. I have read some people have used acetone and a brush to clean mold, but this specimen was submerged in acetone for hours and mold still there. It's adhered to the body, some of it I couldn't remove scrubbing with an entomological pin.

[Paul K]

It doesn’t look like a mould to me.

[pcm2007]

Then Brandow is very right in all, and I have ruined it trying to remove it

[bandrow]

Greetings,

I wouldn't say that you 'ruined' it - you just have a less than perfect specimen! I have many specimens in my collection that are much worse than this one, and I keep them as they represent unique locality records, or are the only representative I have of a species.

For example, I have "one" Lissomelas flohri - a rare scarab from Arizona, USA. It consists of half of the right elytron, one-third of the left, some of the metasternum and part of one leg - but it is the only specimen I have! I will cherish it until I can acquire a whole specimen some day, if ever.

Hang onto your specimen, and likely you'll find a better one someday. It will also be a reminder of a learning experience - some specimens end up having more sentimental value than scientific value over the years.

Cheers!
Bandrow

[pcm2007]

Oh! so good to know! Thank you so much Brandow!

best wishes,

Pedro

[bandrow]

Greetings,

You're welcome! Our conversation made me think that I may start a thread showing my worst "great" bugs - those specimens in terrible shape but which have value as uniques...

Cheers!
Bandrow

[leptraps]

I have numerous specimens that are wing worn and/or in very poor condition. I keep them as records and/or as vouchers.

My collection contains many common species that are anything but perfect. They are however, records of value based on location/time of year/variation.

The more information you include on your specimen labels, the more scientific value you add to your collection.

[alandmor]

Any dirty or moldy specimens can be easily cleaned using a 1:1 solution of plain ammonia and water. Best to do when the specimen is relaxed before mounting. I place the specimen in a small dish filled with the ammonia and water and gently go over the entire surface with a small paintbrush. You'll be amazed at how much dirt and debris comes off an even clean looking specimen. I also use the 1:1 ammonia to water solution to relax specimens.