Mounting small beetles

[crino]

I wonder how can small beetles be mounted with this perfection:

www.biol.uni.wroc.pl/cassidae/European%20Chrysomelidae/list%20of%20genera.htm

Any tips?

Thank you!

crino

[nomihoudai]

They do look mirrored to me, at least some of them. In that case it is just half as much work .

[prillbug4]

I use points or cards, just glue the beetles onto the point or the card, and then try to arrange the legs, you might need to use a stereoscopic microscope. But sometimes, I just leave the legs alone, or arrange the antennae. I usually do it after I've identified it to species. Another method is to use minuten and minuten strips, for beetles that are between ten and 20 millimeters.
Jeff Prill

[davemoore]

Actually these tiny beetles aren't too difficult to set like this.
I kill them with ethyl acetate, then leave then in the vapour for 24 hours, then glue them to cards under a low power binocular microscope.
The legs and antennae are moved into position with a couple of setting needles I made with match sticks and minutes pins.
With a little patience, really tiny ones can be set.

[bugdude56]

This subject has been discussed several times over the years.

I use a "double-mount" method using .15 stainless steel minutens for small coleoptera.

It takes a bit more time, patience and dexterity but the results a well worth the effort - especially when viewed under a microscope.

Attachments:

[Dany]

I normally don't use pins for tiny beetles, I glue and spread them like that (not mirrored...)

[crino]

In my opinion, the matter is how to set the legs in the right position. Often when I try to spread them, they return to their original position under the body as soon as I release the needle or the forceps... even with fresh specimens.