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Post by insectexpressions on Aug 3, 2021 15:33:13 GMT -8
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Post by eurytides on Aug 3, 2021 16:17:13 GMT -8
Are these specimens old and bought or fresh, either caught or raised. Doesn’t look like grease. Is it oily or sticky? Is it runny or dried on the specimen?
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Post by trehopr1 on Aug 3, 2021 16:47:54 GMT -8
Those are body fats which are leaching out from the abdomen of the butterfly.
When the butterflies are bred on farms they are quickly dispatched once their wings have dried. They may be in those envelopes for weeks, months, or even years before they are utilized.
Eventually, this substance spreads to the wings and greases them up to varying degrees. Although, it does not happen to every specimen; as I have seen numerous specimens in various collections which were perfect.
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Post by insectexpressions on Aug 3, 2021 17:20:57 GMT -8
Trehopr1, thank you! That is fascinating!
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Post by exoticimports on Aug 4, 2021 4:14:37 GMT -8
Through at least 1980s, it was common with Caligo and particularly Morpho that commercial suppliers would remove the abdomen to avoid oil staining of the wings. Not sure if they still do that.
Chuck
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Post by eurytides on Aug 4, 2021 5:26:14 GMT -8
Yes, I believe that’s still common practice. Some provide the abdomen separately or degrease it and glue it back. I have never seen grease blobs like that, only stained wings. Nice learning something new!
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