Lepidoptera Rehydration Help

[kc2ep]

Hello all!  I recently purchased some dried Lepidoptera specimens from the internet and I am having a very hard time getting them to relax properly.  I am using a sealed tupperware container with damp paper towels on both below and above the specimens.  I cut the corners off the glassine envelopes as well.  Currently I have two specimens that have been in this container for 48 hours, and the wings hardly move at all.  Am I doing this right?

Thanks!

[exoticimports]

Need more time. You can also inject the bodies with water. Do a search this has been discussed many times.

[gaspipe]

Being relatively new also, one thing that has helped me in addition to the usual relaxing techniques is using a 30 or 31 gauge needle and insulin syringe and injecting the thorax with warm water . Place the specimen back in the relaxer for another 12 hours or so. I don’t like leaving the specimens in for too long because they seem to break down. Iam no expert but it helps me . Good luck

[kc2ep]

Oct 5, 2020 17:59:23 GMT -8 gaspipe said:

Being relatively new also, one thing that has helped me in addition to the usual relaxing techniques is using a 30 or 31 gauge needle and insulin syringe and injecting the thorax with warm water . Place the specimen back in the relaxer for another 12 hours or so. I don’t like leaving the specimens in for too long because they seem to break down. Iam no expert but it helps me . Good luck

Thanks! Is there a preferred spot to inject the thorax? I was starting to worry about the specimens breaking down.

[58chevy]

If you remove the specimens from the envelopes and place them in direct contact with the paper towels, they will relax much faster. I use several layers of wet towels both above and below the specimens. The towels need to be wet, not just damp, or it will take a very long time for the specimens to relax. Check periodically to see how flexible they are. If left too long the wings could fall off, especially on small specimens. Also check for mold.

[gaspipe]

Oct 6, 2020 4:44:08 GMT -8 kc2ep said:

Oct 5, 2020 17:59:23 GMT -8 gaspipe said:

Being relatively new also, one thing that has helped me in addition to the usual relaxing techniques is using a 30 or 31 gauge needle and insulin syringe and injecting the thorax with warm water . Place the specimen back in the relaxer for another 12 hours or so. I don’t like leaving the specimens in for too long because they seem to break down. Iam no expert but it helps me . Good luck

Thanks! Is there a preferred spot to inject the thorax? I was starting to worry about the specimens breaking down.

Upward from junction of abdomen and thorax where the wing muscles are .

[Adam Cotton]

Just to clarify, that's the joint between thorax and abdomen on the underside, not the upperside. Insert the needle pointing at a 45 degree angle forwards under the thorax. It is also important not to inject more than a very small amount of whatever you use (water, gin, listerine etc).

Normally I only inject stubborn specimens. It is not a good idea to inject totally dry specimens, as it damages them.

Adam.

[gaspipe]

Oct 7, 2020 4:06:07 GMT -8 Adam Cotton said:

Just to clarify, that's the joint between thorax and abdomen on the underside, not the upperside. Insert the needle pointing at a 45 degree angle forwards under the thorax. It is also important not to inject more than a very small amount of whatever you use (water, gin, listerine etc).

Normally I only inject stubborn specimens. It is not a good idea to inject totally dry specimens, as it damages them.

Adam.

Good point . But I must say it would be difficult to inject upward from the upper side.

[Adam Cotton]

"Good point . But I must say it would be difficult to inject upward from the upper side."

Indeed, but I wanted to clarify that and also the direction the needle should go (not into the abdomen), some beginners may need precise information.

Adam.

[kc2ep]

Thanks for the tips! I did indeed have to inject 2 out of 10 specimens, but followed some advice given and got them rehydrated!