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Post by wollastoni on Jun 16, 2011 22:34:01 GMT -8
Hi Bill, I have tried your method yesterday on 3 dried Delias. It works perfectly ! It is stunning how quick and effective it is ! It was perfect for 2 litlle Delias ( Delias ladas fakfakensis and Delias ennia ennia), after one hour they were as fresh specimen. For a bigger Delias singhapura simeuluensis it wasn't totally freshened, but I was able to spread it without difficulties after one hour only. So after 2 or 3 hours, it must have been perfect. It works also very well for antennaes. And the smell of gin reminds me my mum bakeries ! Thanks a lot Bill for the trick !
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Post by nomihoudai on Jun 16, 2011 23:55:12 GMT -8
How do you inject a Delias ? There is barely any space for a proper needle ?
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Post by wollastoni on Jun 17, 2011 0:21:08 GMT -8
Claude, I even inject Lycaenidae, so injecting Delias is no problem when you are used. I just take a small needle and inject them in the thorax at the bottom, like on this picture of The Insect Company (but with a smaller lep and a smaller needle). Attachments:
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Post by Adam Cotton on Jun 17, 2011 10:37:35 GMT -8
I never heard about this injecting gin method before, very interesting!
I sometimes inject hot water in exactly the same way as in Olivier's photo. Does the gin go in neat or watered down, hot or room temperature, and how much is needed for the average butterfly? I'd like to hear more details of the method. This is one of the great things about insectnet, we can all learn something new every day!
Adam.
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Post by wollastoni on Jun 17, 2011 12:02:04 GMT -8
Adam < I used yesterday the gin method in exactly the same way I use hot water. It works faster (one hour or 2).
The big advantage I see versus hot water is that you can spread butterfly one hour after having injected them. Thus you avoid water stains that happens when water drops from over-injection remains in contact with the wings during all the night.
Olivier
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2011 12:16:35 GMT -8
Adam,
1. The Gin is room temp. which for me is the basement cool temp of between 55 and 65 usually.
2. The Gin is right out of the bottle Gin and is not watered down any. I do put the Gin in small plastic despensing squeeze jars and draw from them as opposed to the big bottle.....
3. One injects the Gin until it sort-of oozes out the spiracles or the needle hole itself. If the short wait period of 5 minutes means the abdomen is wet or in a few drops where it lays, then fine. Usually when I give a second injection, much less is put in. Don't forget to 'paint' the antennae with a brush w Gin as well. When the specimen dries(and it does fast), there is no residue.
4. I usually am mounting the specimen within half an hour or sooner. It is even better if the specimen is somewhat softened, but can be done with a dry specimen. Nowadays, I tend to soften in the heated chamber for a bit, then spread/work the wings. If they are at all stiff, in goes the Gin and bingo---like a fresh bug, or pretty close for nothing mounts like a fresh bug.
5. I always recommend one tries all this stuff on common specimens and not the rare or pricey stuff. Once you get a feel for how it goes, head into the 'good stuff'.
6. The one limitation as I see it is when one buys a mounted specimen and wish to re-mount it. When you inject it, the previous pin hole just allows the Gin to leak out. If I have to re-mount a purchased bug, I do rely on the basic softening for that.
Good luck and let us know how it goes for you. Even if you don't care for it, tell us. I will continue to use Gin for leps and coleops no matter the number of people who say otherwise.
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Post by wollastoni on Jun 17, 2011 12:24:53 GMT -8
Bill your gin method is very useful ! And your point 6 limitation is exactly the same for hot water. So you guys injectors, inject gin !
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Post by downundermoths on Jun 17, 2011 13:54:03 GMT -8
Gin has been softening me up for decades...
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Post by Adam Cotton on Jun 18, 2011 8:43:42 GMT -8
Bill,
Thanks very much for the detailed reply. I must give it a try next time I am spreading specimens.
One more question, does it matter which brand of gin is used (I assume there are different brands, not being a drinker I wouldn't know)?
Adam.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2011 9:51:53 GMT -8
Adam,
I'm not a drinker either. I use Burton's Gin--a London Dry Gin. I just started using the only Gin I had on hand for company/mixed drinks. I suspect any Gin will do though.
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Post by Adam Cotton on Jun 18, 2011 14:16:01 GMT -8
Do you (or anyone else out there) know why gin works rather than other types of alcohol?
Adam.
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Post by lepidofrance on Jun 18, 2011 14:33:22 GMT -8
Two months ago, at a meeting of our Association, meeting on practical methods of entomology, I attended the following demonstration: - The operator has an African Charaxes left in paper bag fifteen years; - He maintains (with a flexible clamp) in water vapor over a saucepan of boiling water for 2 minutes. - The butterfly is ready for display! Overall, this is what I remember. I have not tested the method. If one of you wants to know more, I can get in touch with the above operator.
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Post by simosg on Jun 18, 2011 23:48:51 GMT -8
Only two minutes in water damp should relaxe a Charaxes? I can't believe this. The wings and the antennae ok, but not the body. Or was there anything in the water which helped relaxing? I'm not at home now, so I couldn't have a try.
Hannes
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Post by Adam Cotton on Jun 19, 2011 0:01:04 GMT -8
Well, if it had been in a plastic bag for 15 years there may not be much internal musculature left that needed relaxing.
Adam.
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Post by dertodesking on Jun 24, 2011 12:55:38 GMT -8
Do you (or anyone else out there) know why gin works rather than other types of alcohol? Adam. Hi Adam, I also asked if anyone knew why gin worked and if it was only gin but didn't get any replies...so I experimented by opening up a few bottles of duty free plonk brought back from various places that are currently sitting gathering dust (why is it buying a bottle of some strange liquer seems like a good idea when you're on holiday?). Scotch whisky does NOT work (or at least didn't for me) but vodka did...Don't know why but gin seems the best so I'll be sticking with it for relaxing (both insects and myself!). Simon
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