"Frankenstein" insects

[johnnyboy]

I think that most of us, as insect collectors, have patched butterfly wings, or repaired antennae, legs etc of beetles. Many of us will keep a box of spare insect parts for the purpose.

Everyone prefers A1 specimens of course although a wild caught butterfly, with a few scratches, but good data, is perhaps really more desirable than a farmed butterly which may be perfect but is still, to some extent, "articifially produced". Usually the rarer the specimen, the more damage is tolerated.

What does annoy me is to get a specimen whre large parts have been added, ie a chunk of antennae from a large beetle used as a tibia for a smaller specimen from the same, or a differenrt species, especially if the specimen in question has been sold, in wraps, as A1.

Anyone else had this experience?

Johnny

[wollastoni]

I prefer A- specimens with collecting data than patchworked specimens or A1 without data.

[Deleted]

while A1+ ex pupae are more pleasing aesthetically, without data they are just a pretty bug with no scientific value whatsoever, I have patched up butterflies in my collection that look the part now but they can by no means be regarded as A1 specimens however good the repair job, best thing is to keep a note on which specimens are repaired, parts used and where the repair is. I one purchased a male o victoriae under the guise of A1 hbut quickly found on spreading that it had been repaired, the dealer claimed ignorance but at least I got my money back, it was'nt even a good repair.

[johnnyboy]

I know that most people that deal in dead insects are pushed for time, especially before a big fair, however it does surprise me how little effort some seem to put into repairing damaged specimens, even potentially expensive stuff.

I would generally rather buy a damaged specimen that hasn't had an attempted repair (unless it was to prevent a tear propogating etc), then, if I want, I can spend my own time doing a reasonable job to my own satisfaction.

Johnny

[prillbug2]

How about when you receive a batch of unidentified Cerambycidae in the mail and find that two of them have replaced tarsi, but the tarsi are from Scarabs or Lucanidae. I let that idiot know that I did not approve of it, and threw the specimens away. I'm at the point where I don't want to buy specimens anymore, I would rather collect in the field. Safer and more scientific.
Jeff Prill

[WillM]

I misread the subject line thinking someone had created a monster. Let's see how creative we can get, a beetle with lep wings or whatever, the wilder the better. Photos would be required. And, yes, there are many of us who don't have time for such nonsense but it would be fun.

Will