|
Post by dertodesking on Feb 26, 2014 12:42:28 GMT -8
Freezing does gradually dehydrate specimens, so it is often a good idea to put them in the relaxing box for a while before trying to set them, especially if they have been frozen for some time. Adam. Adam, That's interesting. I'm aware that by it's very nature the freezing process dehydrates whatever is being frozen (hence the recommended maximum freezing periods for foodstuffs) but even after storing specimens for around eighteen months I have NEVER had any problems once they have thawed, nor have I ever had to resort to relaxing a specimen previously frozen. I wonder what else could influence this? Simon
|
|
|
|
Post by dertodesking on Feb 26, 2014 12:29:43 GMT -8
Has anyone ever frozen there fresh caught Leps ?? I`ve been lots of collecting trips and have just papered my specimens to be relaxed when i get back home only to destroy a prized specimen when trying to set it. I have heard of people freezing there Leps and they have stayed in good condition for months if stored in the right way. Steve Hi Steve, Like you I always used to paper my specimens in the field, store them in air-tight Tupperware containers, let them air-dry and relax them when I found time to set them. I too heard about freezing freshly caught specimens and, having tried it, now ALWAYS use this method. I find freezing my specimens keeps them very fresh and, once thawed, they are as supple as the moment they were caught. When out collecting now I only have to take my net and a supply of glassine envelopes. All specimens are "pinched" in the field and papered before being put into an air-tight Tupperware box that I then place in the freezer. When I'm ready to do some setting it's a simple case of selecting however many specimens I want to set and letting them defrost before setting. As I've already said, every time I've done this (and it must be several thousand specimens by now), once the specimen has defrosted it's been as fresh as the moment it was caught. Whenever I have access to a freezer I use this method for storage - right now I have probably around a thousand papered specimens in Tupperware containers at room temperature and somewhere near double this in the freezer. I can guarantee that I'll get round to setting the frozen specimens before the air dried specimens simply because it is so much easier. The longest I've had a specimen frozen before setting is probably around 18 months and even after this length of time the specimen was easy to set (and required no relaxing) once defrosted. I know that others recommend a shorter freezing time before setting but I've never experienced any problems with specimens stored in this way longer. The real advantage of this as a storage method that I like is that I don't have to go to the trouble of relaxing the specimen before setting; I know that I can go to the freezer, select "x" number of specimens, let them thaw and get straight to work on them! The ONLY problem I have ever experienced with the freezing method is a slightly irate wife after she's found out that I've managed to cram another box of specimens into the freezer Simon
|
|
|
Post by dertodesking on Feb 26, 2014 4:55:15 GMT -8
I agree that Fred is one of the good guys...I have ordered some very rare specimens and they have always arrived quickly and in the stated condition. I agree with you that he also packs his material very well and I would have no hesitate in ordering from him again.
Simon
|
|
|
Post by dertodesking on Feb 25, 2014 12:18:32 GMT -8
Hi Clark & Claude, I agree with Peter - great video Thank you for posting. Simon
|
|
|
Post by dertodesking on Feb 24, 2014 12:24:04 GMT -8
What about the Curling? Simon
|
|
|
Post by dertodesking on Feb 22, 2014 15:49:03 GMT -8
Underside, second pair : seems to be Boloria aquilonaris Stichel, 1908 Thanks Lepido Again, I did not see your reply until after I typed my last message..! Simon
|
|
|
|
Post by dertodesking on Feb 22, 2014 15:47:59 GMT -8
Thanks Lepido and Miguel Just need confirmation of the last pair now...if it helps the full data reads "Piekielnik, South Poland, 18.vii.1983, leg. Sourek" Simon
|
|
|
Post by dertodesking on Feb 22, 2014 15:31:52 GMT -8
And this pair... Thanks All Simon
|
|
|
Post by dertodesking on Feb 22, 2014 15:30:13 GMT -8
Hi All, The relevant undersides... Simon
|
|
|
Post by dertodesking on Feb 22, 2014 15:20:28 GMT -8
Hello: The third photo Melitaea diamina and the forth Mellicta athalia. Hi Miguel, Thank you for your help You've confirmed my thoughts that the other pair are M. athalia (although I didn't see your post until after I posted my message!). Simon
|
|
|
Post by dertodesking on Feb 22, 2014 15:18:27 GMT -8
Picture including 4 samples : Melitaea diamina diammina Lang, 1789, males (left) & females. Rgarding pairs 2 and 5, would be better to get the underside view : Clossiana sp. (first and quick glance) Thanks Lepido , Will take a picture of the undersides of those two pairs...do you think the other pair could be M. athalia? Simon
|
|
|
Post by dertodesking on Feb 22, 2014 15:09:36 GMT -8
First photo : Euphydryas cynthia Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775. left : male ; rigt : female. From "Côte d'Azur" ? This is low elevation near the Mediterranean sea shore. E. cynthia flies at high elevation in the mountains. Could be from Alpes maritimes department (= province), but in anyway from the Côte d'Azur ! Actually, in Alpes maritimes, high mountains are not so far from the Mediterranean sea. But Côte d'Azur = sea shore (and no mountains). Hi Lepido, Thanks for your assistance The data that came with it was "Col de Granon (2275m), Hautes Alpes, Provence, Cote d'Azur, France, 14.vii.2010" - your information is much appreciated and helpful. Thanks again, Simon
|
|
|
Post by dertodesking on Feb 22, 2014 14:59:01 GMT -8
Final pair - also from Poland
|
|
|
Post by dertodesking on Feb 22, 2014 14:57:50 GMT -8
This pair - also from Poland
|
|
|
Post by dertodesking on Feb 22, 2014 14:56:27 GMT -8
This group - also from Poland
|
|