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Post by entoman on Oct 18, 2011 20:35:08 GMT -8
Recently found a spot where I can find Physonota calochroma floridensis, the Geiger Tortoise Beetle. Heretofore I had only known where to find Hemisphaerota cyanea, the Palmetto Tortoise Beetle. Oddly enough I stumbled on my first specimen at night while browsing for insects with a flashlight. I was disappointed to learn however that the metallic coloration the beetle exhibits fades after death. Any ideas as to how to prevent this?
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Post by Cassida on Feb 15, 2012 16:29:04 GMT -8
I think no way to prevent this easily. Metallic coloration of Cassidinae disappears when beetle dry (coloration caused by the liquid in the chitin lamellas in beetle elytra which cause refraction). One possibility is to put the beetle to the solution of ethanol, water and glycerol = glycerin (1:1:1) - but it is not very good solution for collection  Another option is to insert the beetles into a "transparent resin" (put "insects in transparent resin" to google). It is also not very good solution for collection |
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