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Post by livingplanet3 on Apr 3, 2021 10:13:59 GMT -8
I have around 200+ dried butterflies that I'd like to spread for placement in some wall-mounted displays, but for nearly the past 30 years, I've focused most of my collecting on beetles, and it's been at least that long since I've actually prepared any butterfly or moth specimens. I plan to try the refrigerator method for relaxing, that was recently described by wollastoni . I know of course that as with many other things, the preparation of insect specimens (esp. Lepidoptera) is a skill that is developed over time, but I want to make sure that I get the whole process done safely and correctly from the very start, and would really prefer not to do any experimentation of my own that might possibly result in damage to the specimens (quite a number of which are rather valuable, including various species of Morpho, Prepona / Agrias, Charaxes, and Polyura. Certainly, (and I fully realize that this is easier said than done) I would much prefer to become proficient in this skill not so much through my own practice, but through the time-tested and proven methods of others who have been doing this for years, and are far more knowledgeable in this subject than I am. Currently, I would consider myself only a semi-novice at best, in regard to the preparation of butterflies. I will definitely start out with some less valuable specimens - probably some Papilionidae that I collected locally. One video suggested that mounting specimens upside down (verso side up) was actually the easiest technique for spreading Lepidoptera, as for one thing, this eliminates the need for a board to have a channel for the body. Has anyone here used this method? - Do any of you construct your own spreading boards, instead of buying commercially made ones? I am wondering about how 1/2" foam board would work for this purpose? - Also - what is the best kind of paper to use for making the strips to hold the wings in place? Something quite smooth, I assume? I seem to recall a recent mention of using semi-gloss card stock - any other suggestions on what works well?
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Post by nomihoudai on Apr 3, 2021 10:26:42 GMT -8
Upside down spreading is OK only for cheap display frames and Riker frames. You won't be able get the wings properly in position.
I constructed my own flat boards out of foam after injuring my finger on a wooden board. I would make 2 parallel cuts with a carpet cutter into the foam. Then I would introduce nylon into one of the cuts and rapidly move it left and right to cut out the central piece between the cuts. That would make nice grooves. I would glue millimeter paper on top of the foam, and also plain paper on the other side of the foam to prevent the foam from curving.
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Post by Paul K on Apr 3, 2021 11:52:38 GMT -8
Upside down spreading is a terrible idea. How about pin and usually wings are folded up right so to place the specimen on the board is almost impossible without rubbing the scales.
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Post by wollastoni on Apr 3, 2021 12:01:17 GMT -8
I spread all my Delias upside down, common practice for this genus. They look perfect but it is true it takes a lot of time to master this technique.
I won’t recommend it for 95% of lepidoptera genera which don’t need to be displayed on the underside.
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Post by Paul K on Apr 3, 2021 12:07:39 GMT -8
I spread all my Delias upside down, common practice for this genus. They look perfect but it is true it takes a lot of time to master this technique. I won’t recommend it for 95% of lepidoptera genera which don’t need to be displayed on the underside. I suppose livingplanet3 was talking about mounting upside down with purpose of showing upper side. Of course showing underside of some specimens is beneficial ( egg.Delias ) but they are still mounted and spread same way as normal .
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Post by yorky on Apr 3, 2021 12:32:14 GMT -8
Don't mount upside down in you're just starting. Chances are when you turn the specimen over the wings will be wrong. The key to the correct mounting of dried specimens is that they are properly relaxed otherwise you are going to make a mess. Don't attempt to spread unless you have easy movement of all 4 wings.
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Post by nomihoudai on Apr 3, 2021 13:13:24 GMT -8
I was referring to the technique show in the video.
Proper upside down mounting is important for Delias, some other Pieridae, and I also mounted lots of my Lycaenidae reversed as the ventral side is more important than the dorsal side.
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Post by exoticimports on Apr 3, 2021 13:24:42 GMT -8
The method in the video is as she said for beginners. This is former Connie Ianni. Upside down is fast for commercial riker mount since buyers are not very discriminating.
There are plenty of videos showing how to do it properly. And, do a search. Various methods, techniques and tricks have been discussed on this forum.
Chuck
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Post by Adam Cotton on Apr 3, 2021 13:29:39 GMT -8
I make my own foam spreading boards. First I cut 1 inch foam to the width and length I want to make the board. Then I cut 2 strips of 1 cm foam to the same length but the amount less than the width of the base that I want the groove to be. I then use white latex glue to stick the 1 cm strips onto the 1 inch strip with the outer edges of the 2 layers level. That leaves the groove that I require in the middle. By varying the width of the base and upper foam strips I can make both different size boards and boards with different width of groove in the middle. It's really simple, as long as you decide what sizes you want and you are careful about cutting the pieces to the correct size. I do not cover the foam with anything, but it may be a good idea to sand it down if the surface is not smooth. Personally I make all my boards about 2 feet long as it's a great length to work on, because foam is so light it doesn't need to be flat on the table while I am spreading specimens.
These boards last for years!
Adam.
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Post by Adam Cotton on Apr 3, 2021 13:38:07 GMT -8
I just took a photo of one so you can see what I mean: Adam.
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Post by Adam Cotton on Apr 3, 2021 13:47:56 GMT -8
livingplanet3 said "I will definitely start out with some less valuable specimens - probably some Papilionidae that I collected locally." I strongly recommend you start with specimens like these for practice before trying to spread any valuable specimens. It might be a good idea to first try it out with some freshly killed specimens that are still soft, learn how to spread them successfully and after that try relaxing some dried specimens of the same to get the hang of relaxing techniques. Once you are happy that you understand how to do it then start spreading your rarer material. You will find that you have to learn what to do with your hands as you spread the specimens. One other tip - I put larger pins each side of the thorax next to the head and immediately below the joint of the hindwings with the thorax so that when I move the wings into position the body does not move with them. Once the wings are all pinned into position I remove these pins before cross pinning the antennae and under the abdomen so it doesn't droop after spreading. Adam.
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Post by Paul K on Apr 3, 2021 13:50:56 GMT -8
I do the same as Adam except I use blue or pink insulating styrofoam which has more density . Can be purchased in any home improvement store.
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leptraps
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Post by leptraps on Apr 3, 2021 13:59:59 GMT -8
I use angled spreading board's. The boards are made of Bass Wood. I sand them smooth with 3X sand paper and a 2X4X4 block of wood after every use. This will remove all of the tinny slivers from the surface of the spreading board that could tear or scratch the wings of specimens.
I described this process on this forum prevuosly.
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Post by joachim on Apr 3, 2021 14:21:51 GMT -8
I also have some boards created by mysel useing foam. Here 1 m2 is aabout 75 EUR cent. I also have some made from wood. a friend of mine is now making boards himself and I hope he will give me some for a good price.
What I did not understand what the advantage is what she described. Joachim
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Post by Paul K on Apr 3, 2021 15:46:40 GMT -8
I also have some boards created by mysel useing foam. Here 1 m2 is aabout 75 EUR cent. I also have some made from wood. a friend of mine is now making boards himself and I hope he will give me some for a good price. What I did not understand what the advantage is what she described. Joachim The advantage of her system is to rub scales with her fingers and take a chance to break specimen trying to push it off the pin 😜
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