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Post by Khalid Fadil on May 3, 2011 2:13:20 GMT -8
I was just curious since every collector seems to have their own way of labeling their specimens. I'd like to know how fellow collectors in this forum do so. What methods do they use... What points do they count... All that.
As for me, I developed a system of my own. Rather than labeling my specimens with names, locations, and dates... I use serial numbers. For example, the Actias Maenas Maenas I recently put up for trade... Its serial number is 19M1742011-023. Here is the definition:
19M = Initials of the location the specimen was collected from. In this case, 19th Mile, Cameron Highlands, Pahang, West Malaysia.
1742011 = The date the specimen was collected. In this case, 17th April 2011.
-023 = The number of the specimen during the particular date. In this case, the specimen was the 23rd collected on that date.
All these details and more, I keep in a notebook. It serves as a record folder for my collection. The serial number is pinned below the specimen for easy reference.
How do YOU label your specimens?
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Post by lepidofrance on May 3, 2011 2:20:31 GMT -8
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Post by Khalid Fadil on May 3, 2011 2:30:35 GMT -8
The serial numbers are just brief data jotted onto the envelopes when the specimens are collected. They are defined to every single detail in my notebook. |
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Post by dertodesking on May 3, 2011 3:16:33 GMT -8
I add two labels to my specimens. The uppermost (ie. the label nearest to the underside of the butterfly/beetle) shows the collecting data (along the lines of "Sittingbourne, Kent, UK, 03.v.2011, leg. Bloggs). The second label (the lower of the two) is then the determination label showing sp./ssp. of the specimen concerned. I find it much easier having the determination label as the lower of the two as it is easier to remove and replace as names change or my determination changes in light of new information. The problem I see with having a "code" attached to the butterfly/beetle is that although it might mean a great deal to the actual collector/owner of the collection what happens if you trade a butterfly with someone? The label attached would mean nothing to me for example on your example Caleb...Also, God forbid that anything happened to either you or your notebook but what would happen if you lost the book showing the collecting locality/dates of your specimen? Sure, a label (or two) can become detached from a butterfly but I think its a lot less likely...I personally wouldn't want to take the risk of my collection and collecting data become seperated. Just my thoughts!  Simon |
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Post by nomihoudai on May 3, 2011 3:20:11 GMT -8
That's a horrible way of labeling specimens... what if
- your notebook gets damaged ? ( coffee spilled onto it )
- one part of your house burns down together with the notebook leaving your collection ?
- you die and no one remembers where the notebook is, or how to read your code ?
- etc. etc.
Every serious collector just puts the data underneath the specimen and puts a label for each specimen.
As I was only asked last week already how to label specimen I have a pic of my labels so I can show here.
The upper label is the data label with all relevant data.
The second label is the determination label which I don't always put onto my specimen nowadays as it is too much work for me.
On the right side is a black line, I put the needle trough that side leaving the label pointing out between the two forewings of the butterfly, giving me the possibility of reading the data at any time without taking it out of my drawer.
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Post by wollastoni on May 3, 2011 3:49:59 GMT -8
My label :
- Species and ssp
- Locality (with GPS when possible)
- Altitude
- Biotope description
- Island or Province
- Country
- Date
- Leg. (people who caught it)
- Coll. Pequin
The altitude and biotope things are very important when you try to study butterflies repartition in a more serious way that only my feelings.
The leg. thing is also very useful when you want to contact a collector, to ask him some questions... few years after you receive the specimen.
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Post by Khalid Fadil on May 3, 2011 4:19:26 GMT -8
I add two labels to my specimens. The uppermost (ie. the label nearest to the underside of the butterfly/beetle) shows the collecting data (along the lines of "Sittingbourne, Kent, UK, 03.v.2011, leg. Bloggs). The second label (the lower of the two) is then the determination label showing sp./ssp. of the specimen concerned. I find it much easier having the determination label as the lower of the two as it is easier to remove and replace as names change or my determination changes in light of new information. The problem I see with having a "code" attached to the butterfly/beetle is that although it might mean a great deal to the actual collector/owner of the collection what happens if you trade a butterfly with someone? The label attached would mean nothing to me for example on your example Caleb...Also, God forbid that anything happened to either you or your notebook but what would happen if you lost the book showing the collecting locality/dates of your specimen? Sure, a label (or two) can become detached from a butterfly but I think its a lot less likely...I personally wouldn't want to take the risk of my collection and collecting data become seperated. Just my thoughts! Simon The fact that my notebook may go missing is true, but when it comes to trading, I always make sure every single detail I have on that specimen goes with it. |
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Post by Khalid Fadil on May 3, 2011 4:22:13 GMT -8
That's a horrible way of labeling specimens... what if - your notebook gets damaged ? ( coffee spilled onto it ) - one part of your house burns down together with the notebook leaving your collection ? - you die and no one remembers where the notebook is, or how to read your code ? - etc. etc. Every serious collector just puts the data underneath the specimen and puts a label for each specimen. As I was only asked last week already how to label specimen I have a pic of my labels so I can show here. The upper label is the data label with all relevant data. The second label is the determination label which I don't always put onto my specimen nowadays as it is too much work for me. On the right side is a black line, I put the needle trough that side leaving the label pointing out between the two forewings of the butterfly, giving me the possibility of reading the data at any time without taking it out of my drawer. Horrible? Ouch... Everybody has their own way of labeling their specimens, you know... It may be horrible to you, but its not to me. |
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leptraps
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Post by leptraps on May 3, 2011 5:09:51 GMT -8
I curate a very large collection of Insects at the University of Kentucky. For the first 55 years (1889 to 1944) of the collection a numbering system was used. In late 1944 the standard labeling began. The process is as follows:
Location Data Label (First label under specimen)
USA (Country)
Kentucky (State)
Fayette County (County)
Jacobson Park (Location)
Leg. P. Smith (Collectors name)
3 May 2011 (Date of Collection)
Additional Information (Second Label below specimen)
Ex-larvae on Acer rubra
Enclosed 2 April 2011
Emerged 2 May 2011
Identification Label (Last Label)
Colias eurytheme (Genus & Species)
‰ (Sex Symbol)
Det. P. Smith (Determined By)
This is the correct set for labels. The first label is the collecting data. GPS location, elevation and time should also be included when available.
The second label and/or third contains additional information pertaining to the specimen. rearing information, predator/prey, mating or any other important information. Migration information, ovipositioning and host plant information is also to be included.
The information should be recorded on the top surface of the label only. All letters should be capitalize and the pin should never pass through a letter/number on the label.
The date should read: Day/Month/Year (2 May 2011)
I was taught the correct method of Labeling when I was 12 years old by J.F. Gates Clark at the USNM. My entire collection of 400+ drawers is labeled as above.
The more information on the label the more valuable the specimen. I use pheromones to collect Sesiid moths. I record the pheromone (E,Z) 2,13 - ODDA data on the a label of each species that I collect with a pheromone.
Labels must be placed on the pin to keep the information with the specimen. Never use numbers for the above labeling. I have seen several nice collections of insect that were tossed because the data labels were numbers and no one could find the source to those numbers.
I was fortunate to find the ledger for the University of Kentucky's collection. It was ledger that began in 1889 and written in pencil. There was a lot of work to read or translate information. Eventually a new ledger recorded into a computer was completed and as I work in the collection I replace the numbers with data labels.
Do it write the first time.
Also, I have a file with the history of my collection. Several colleagues know how my collections information is stored. When I am no longer able to maintain my collection or pass away, there are people who know the information for my collections and where my collection will be deposited.
Your collectin has scientific value. Spend the time to properly label your collection. Make is worth your time and in some case money to record the data and keep it with your specimens.
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Post by Khalid Fadil on May 3, 2011 14:02:18 GMT -8
I curate a very large collection of Insects at the University of Kentucky. For the first 55 years (1889 to 1944) of the collection a numbering system was used. In late 1944 the standard labeling began. The process is as follows: Location Data Label (First label under specimen) USA (Country) Kentucky (State) Fayette County (County) Jacobson Park (Location) Leg. P. Smith (Collectors name) 3 May 2011 (Date of Collection) Additional Information (Second Label below specimen) Ex-larvae on Acer rubra Enclosed 2 April 2011 Emerged 2 May 2011 Identification Label (Last Label) Colias eurytheme (Genus & Species) ‰ (Sex Symbol) Det. P. Smith (Determined By) This is the correct set for labels. The first label is the collecting data. GPS location, elevation and time should also be included when available. The second label and/or third contains additional information pertaining to the specimen. rearing information, predator/prey, mating or any other important information. Migration information, ovipositioning and host plant information is also to be included. The information should be recorded on the top surface of the label only. All letters should be capitalize and the pin should never pass through a letter/number on the label. The date should read: Day/Month/Year (2 May 2011) I was taught the correct method of Labeling when I was 12 years old by J.F. Gates Clark at the USNM. My entire collection of 400+ drawers is labeled as above. The more information on the label the more valuable the specimen. I use pheromones to collect Sesiid moths. I record the pheromone (E,Z) 2,13 - ODDA data on the a label of each species that I collect with a pheromone. Labels must be placed on the pin to keep the information with the specimen. Never use numbers for the above labeling. I have seen several nice collections of insect that were tossed because the data labels were numbers and no one could find the source to those numbers. I was fortunate to find the ledger for the University of Kentucky's collection. It was ledger that began in 1889 and written in pencil. There was a lot of work to read or translate information. Eventually a new ledger recorded into a computer was completed and as I work in the collection I replace the numbers with data labels. Do it write the first time. Also, I have a file with the history of my collection. Several colleagues know how my collections information is stored. When I am no longer able to maintain my collection or pass away, there are people who know the information for my collections and where my collection will be deposited. Your collectin has scientific value. Spend the time to properly label your collection. Make is worth your time and in some case money to record the data and keep it with your specimens. I always have trouble putting more than one label on a specimen because the pins I use are not entomological pins and are therefore rather short... |
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Post by dertodesking on May 3, 2011 14:17:11 GMT -8
I always have trouble putting more than one label on a specimen because the pins I use are not entomological pins and are therefore rather short... ...not a good idea in my humble opinion...non entomological pins are liable to corode over time...  Simon |
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Post by Khalid Fadil on May 3, 2011 15:18:12 GMT -8
...not a good idea in my humble opinion...non entomological pins are liable to corode over time... Simon[/quote] I know... Most of them are already corroded. Some specimens even fall right off... I can't find any entomological pins in Malaysia... The only REAL pins I have are Japanese Size: 0 which a friend gave me when he went to Japan. They've got everything there! |
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Post by saturniidave on May 3, 2011 15:25:52 GMT -8
Khalid, there are many dealers who sell pins online and will post them to you. It is worth while to splash out a few bucks and get proper pins, they will last decades at the very least.
As to labelling, I am with the others on that. I used to work in a museum and have seen literally thousands of specimens that were totally useless as all they had was a small label with a number on, the collections had got separated from the relevant notebooks. We used these specimens as teaching aids for the kids as they were of no scientific value. It was so heartbreaking to see such beautiful and well spread specimens wrecked by kids but we had no other use for them. Don't let this happen to your collection my friend.
Dave
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Post by Khalid Fadil on May 3, 2011 15:29:58 GMT -8
Khalid, there are many dealers who sell pins online and will post them to you. It is worth while to splash out a few bucks and get proper pins, they will last decades at the very least. As to labelling, I am with the others on that. I used to work in a museum and have seen literally thousands of specimens that were totally useless as all they had was a small label with a number on, the collections had got separated from the relevant notebooks. We used these specimens as teaching aids for the kids as they were of no scientific value. It was so heartbreaking to see such beautiful and well spread specimens wrecked by kids but we had no other use for them. Don't let this happen to your collection my friend. Dave Not to worry, friend. My collection is for me and ME ONLY. Nobody else has access to my collection. NOBODY. No kids are gonna be touchin' these specimens. Noseree... |
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Post by saturniidave on May 3, 2011 15:33:06 GMT -8
But what happens when you are no longer around? This was the problem with the museum collections, they were all donated over the years by relatives of the (deceased) collectors but none came with the notebooks to crack the 'code'!
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