To Repair or not to Repair?

[mothman55]

Just wondering what most of you think when it comes to damaged specimens. Obviously in a perfect world we catch and spread fresh specimens, and when purchasing or trading, A1 is best, and often demanded. But no doubt some of our best catches have a chip or slit in the wing. But what to do. I expect some would not consider a repair, while others see no harm in a minor repair. Myself, I have made a few minor repairs in specimens that I don't expect I will ever get a better replacement, while in others, I will live with the chip in hopes of upgrading at some point. When it comes to antennae, I have glued on many, and would be surprised if we all haven't done it. Just looking at a nice specimen with one or both antennae missing, I can't bear it. And if its missing, I keep an inventory of damaged material so I can replace with antennae from the same species.

[trehopr1]

As an aesthetic collector/hobbyist I am VERY fickle about the condition of anything I purchase or trade.

However, when it comes to my own personal captures I still hold a high standard (in general) but, I relax them somewhat to allow for what I call "secondary" specimens.

For me, secondaries are still decent "keeper" specimens with just minor wing flaws (as you have mentioned).

A few get replaced from time to time but, I have them around because I like the species or it is something I have barely ever collected. All still worthy in my eyes...

I prefer (believe it or not) to leave minor issues alone and without repairs. It shows an insect that lived a life and was (on the wing in its life) thriving and surviving.

I feel repairs are only suited for rare, seldom seen, or hard to get items. And even then, they need to be done by someone who is adept at it because if you really haven't done much of it you could be very sorry for the disaster it may create.

Common species or fairly (easy) replaceable specimens are just not worth the bother to me basically.

I don't condone repairs that are done but, I honestly have never done them myself.

[exoticimports]

I do repair on parts like papilio tails if I have the part- such as got busted in the net. I don’t substitute parts from other specimens because then it’s not a specimen, it’s a collage.

Chuck

[trehopr1]

Indeed, I have seen the term "Frankenstein specimen" applied (on a couple different occasions) here on the forum.

[kevinkk]

Nov 19, 2021 12:37:36 GMT -8 trehopr1 said:

Indeed, I have seen the term "Frankenstein specimen" applied (on a couple different occasions) here on the forum.

That's funny, I have a couple repaired specimens, it's a skill, and one you probably don't want in the first place. I typically just live
with the imperfection, I've had freshly hatched long tail Actias sp.  males get away from me and snap off a tail- bang, in a split second
it's virtually trash. Things happen, and it's frustrating, just try and be more careful next time. Usually it is wing wear, and that's not so bad.
Antennae are a different matter all together, a bald bug seems to say-"look at me". but as collectors, we seem to be the only ones who
notice those things.

[bandrow]

Nov 19, 2021 12:09:39 GMT -8 exoticimports said:

I do repair on parts like papilio tails if I have the part- such as got busted in the net. I don’t substitute parts from other specimens because then it’s not a specimen, it’s a collage.

Chuck

I fully agree. I regularly reattach broken parts (antennae, legs, tarsal claws, etc.) using a transparent glue. If done well, it can be almost undetectable. In one case of a Titanus giganteus with a detached front leg, I ran one end of a thin wire into the profemur and the other into the trochanter to reinforce the leg before gluing. Looked great when done, and the wire supported the weight to help hold it.

On the other hand - I once met a gentleman in Arizona - now long deceased - that had one of those multi-drawer organizers with the little sliding plastic drawers, full of parts! All kinds of antennae, claws, legs, etc. When he had a specimen missing something, he dug into his "parts" drawers and pulled out the closest match - regardless if it was from the same genus, let alone species. Definitely a 'Dr. Frankenstein' move, as Trehopr1 says!!

Cheers!
Bandrow

[tv]

This makes me think of a kid I knew in high school. In biology class one time we were supposed to break apart owl pellets and try to re-assemble the skeleton of the mouse. This guy's owl had apparently just had Thanksgiving and there were multiple rodents in his pellet. Rather than figure out what belonged to what, he just made a 2 headed, 6 legged, 3 tailed Franken-mouse with jawbone claws. I can't remember if he ended up getting a good grade on it or not.

As for the repair question, in general I agree with Bandrow on when to fix and not. The only time I've gone beyond the "reattach some legs" repairs is when our dog got into a room he wasn't supposed to be in an broke in the glass on two cases of pinned material. I salvaged what I could but, only about half of the specimens were still usable. Of those, about half required extensive repairs, like the crappiest version of the 6 Million Dollar Man. Soooo many pieces. Although, hearing from Bandrow, maybe I should have saved those bits for future repairs

Also, I think this is one of the few instances where you can talk about someone having "drawers full of parts" from living creatures and nobody will really bat an eye.

[gaspipe]

Great topic . You guys are much more “ particular “ than me . If I inadvertently kill damaged specimens, I use parts to repair other damaged specimens and I never mix species. But I also do something most of you will likely shame me for ; when I do put specimens in Riker Mounts I often remove the legs so they lay flatter . May the butterfly gods have mercy on my soul.

[exoticimports]

Riker mounts??

A bigger topic is the scientific value of specimens. If your collection is purely for baubles, and comprised of mass bred specimens I suppose nothing matters. However, when for science one should care for even the most common specimen. Case in point, I just read a paper by Chris Schmidt about confusion over the common Azure Blue in eastern NA; now every specimen of this common “species” may be valuable.

Leave no legs behind!

Chuck

[miguel]

For me depends of the situation,if it's a new butterfly/moth for me I collect it even if it's a damaged specimen,if it comes from buying or in an exchange I always want the better quality.

[jhyatt]

I am usually happy with an imperfect specimen, being more of a scientific than an aesthetic bent, and a little bit stingy too. But I will use a bit of glue to reinforce a broken wing or tail vein now and then. Broken legs, abdomens, antennae I usually save in a clear gelatin capsule placed on the pin below the specimen and labels. I do have a few old specimens that some previous owner had repaired fairly extensively, and a few more recent ones with small repairs, and I'm fine with that too. I don't see it as a big deal either way...

jh

[yorky]

I recently bought a rare female papilio that came in the envelope in parts. All 4 wings detached, abdomen detached the job lot. It cost me next to nothing when in A1 condition would have been $500. The thing is all of the wings were in superb condition and I must say that I rather enjoyed doing the jigsaw and putting it all back together.

[exoticimports]

Photos of rare Papilio?

[yorky]

It will have to wait because I have no means of taking pictures at the moment.