lepidoptera spreading techniques - utah lepidopterists' society!

LepidopteraSpreading Techniques

Presented by Vernon E. Evans

9 April 2005

• Standard groove board spreading with pins

• Vern’s upside down non-groove board method

• Magnetic groove board spreading

Techniques discussed

prepare the specimen.

First we need to…

But wait…

The injection method

• Take a syringe with warm water and injectit into the thorax of the specimen.

Advantages Disadvantages 1. Fast way toprepare specimen forspreading.

2. Very little setuppreparation needed.

3. Easy to learn.

1. Does not provide acompletely relaxedspecimen.

2. Sticking a syringe into adried specimen couldcause damage.

Freezer method• All freshly emerged specimens and fresh field caught

specimens are placed directly into the freezer to spreadbe spread soon thereafter.

• Remove from freezer and let specimen thaw andspread.

Advantages

1. No setuprequired.

2. No materialsneeded.

3. Fast and easy.

Disadvantages

1. Potential problem with spousewhen they find dead bugs neartheir food.

2. Specimen will eventuallydehydrate and another methodmust be used.

Vern’s Relaxing chamber

I utilize a relaxer similar to what others mayuse with only a few modifications for speed.

Differences in MY relaxer

• I use only water on my multiple layers ofpaper towels.

• I place my specimens directly onto thedamp paper towels.

• Data goes on a corresponding board in thesame order the specimens are in therelaxer.

Advantages of MY relaxer

• Complete specimen is relaxed

• Because specimen is in direct contact withmoist towel re-hydration occurs veryquickly.

Time to re-hydrate

Lycaenidae 20-30 minutes

Papilionidae 2-3 hours

Saturniidae 6-10 hours

Possible disadvantages

• You can not leave the specimens in therelaxer too long or mold will occur.

• There is a possibility of the relaxer beingdisturbed while the specimens are in it andthis would cause a problem since the datawill no longer correspond with theirlocation in the relaxer.

** This have never happened to me.

Now onto the specimenspreading…

Standard groove board with pins

This is the most commonly described way tospread lepidoptera.

Materials needed:

1. Grooved spreadingboard

Standard groove board with pins

This is the most commonly described way tospread lepidoptera.

Materials needed:

1. Grooved spreadingboard

2. Pins

Standard groove board with pins

This is the most commonly described way tospread lepidoptera.

Materials needed:

1. Grooved spreadingboard

2. Pins

3. Paper strips

Standard groove board with pins

This is the most commonly described way tospread lepidoptera.

Materials needed:

1. Grooved spreadingboard

2. Pins

3. Paper strips

4. Don’t forget theSpecimen.

Todd Stout is demonstrating thismethod with a pima orangetip

1. Insert pin into specimen’s thorax

Todd Stout is demonstrating thismethod with a pima orangetip

1. Insert pin into specimen’s thorax

2. Set specimen into grooved board

Todd Stout is demonstrating thismethod with a pima orangetip

1. Insert pin into specimen’s thorax

2. Set specimen into grooved board

3. Set body flush with board

Todd Stout is demonstrating thismethod with a pima orangetip

4. Place clear strips over wingsto aid in positioning

Todd Stout is demonstrating thismethod with a pima orangetip

4. Place clear strips over wingsto aid in positioning

5. Use pins to position and holdwings in place

Todd Stout is demonstrating thismethod with a pima orangetip

4. Place clear strips over wingsto aid in positioning

5. Use pins to position and holdwings in place

6. Use as many pins asnecessary to secure wings indesired position

Todd Stout is demonstrating thismethod with a pima orangetip

7. Todd places this device underthe abdomen to keep it levelwith the thorax.

Todd Stout is demonstrating thismethod with a pima orangetip

7. Todd places this device underthe abdomen to keep it levelwith the thorax.

8. Here Todd is putting it intoplace.

Todd Stout is demonstrating thismethod with a pima orangetip

7. Todd places this device underthe abdomen to keep it levelwith the thorax.

8. Here Todd is putting it intoplace.

9. Todd uses this device toposition the head andantennae properly.

Todd Stout is demonstrating thismethod with a pima orangetip

10.Todd places the data labelwith the specimen.

Todd Stout is demonstrating thismethod with a pima orangetip

10.Todd places the data labelwith the specimen.

11.The specimen is now ready todry.

Finished product!

Magnetic grooved boardThis method is similar to the previous method.The major difference being the use of a metalspread board and magnets in place of pins tohold the wings in place until the specimen is dry.

Materials needed:

1. Grooved METALspreading board

Magnetic grooved boardThis method is similar to the previous method.The major difference being the use of a metalspread board and magnets in place of pins tohold the wings in place until the specimen is dry.

Materials needed:

1. Grooved METALspreading board

2. Magnets

Magnetic grooved boardThis method is similar to the previous method.The major difference being the use of a metalspread board and magnets in place of pins tohold the wings in place until the specimen is dry.

Materials needed:

1. Grooved METALspreading board

2. Magnets

3. Pins

Magnetic grooved boardThis method is similar to the previous method.The major difference being the use of a metalspread board and magnets in place of pins tohold the wings in place until the specimen is dry.

Materials needed:

1. Grooved METALspreading board

2. Magnets and pins

3. Paper strips

4. Still need a specimen

Jack Harry is demonstrating this methodwith a nitra form anise swallowtail

1. Jack places the insect pinthrough the thorax withtweezers.

Jack Harry is demonstrating this methodwith a nitra form anise swallowtail

1. Jack places the insect pinthrough the thorax withtweezers.

2. Jack set specimen in grooveof metallic board andprepares to place strip overwings.

Jack Harry is demonstrating this methodwith a nitra form anise swallowtail

1. Jack places the insect pinthrough the thorax withtweezers.

2. Jack set specimen in grooveof metallic board andprepares to place strip overwings.

3. Notice Jack uses one longcontinuous strip on each sidefor the wings. Thesecontinuous strip will be usedfor all specimens on theboard.

Jack Harry is demonstrating this methodwith a nitra form anise swallowtail

4. Now the specimen’s wingsare under the strip and readyfor positioning.

Jack Harry is demonstrating this methodwith a nitra form anise swallowtail

4. Now the specimen’s wingsare under the strip and readyfor positioning.

5. Jack now uses magnets inplace of pins to hold thewings in the desired position.He uses the grid lines in themetal to ensure a properspread.

Jack Harry is demonstrating this methodwith a nitra form anise swallowtail

4. Now the specimen’s wingsare under the strip and readyfor positioning.

5. Jack now uses magnets inplace of pins to hold thewings in the desired position.He uses the grid lines in themetal to ensure a properspread.

6. Jack utilizes an insect pin tomanipulate the wings into thedesired position.

Jack Harry is demonstrating this methodwith a nitra form anise swallowtail

7. He positions the forewingsfirst. Placing magnets tomaintain their position.

Jack Harry is demonstrating this methodwith a nitra form anise swallowtail

7. He positions the forewingsfirst. Placing magnets tomaintain their position.

8. Jack then places the hindwings in the desired position.

Jack Harry is demonstrating this methodwith a nitra form anise swallowtail

7. He positions the forewingsfirst. Placing magnets tomaintain their position.

8. Jack then places the hindwings in the desired position.

9. He now uses insect pins toplace and hold the antennaein place.

Jack Harry is demonstrating this methodwith a nitra form anise swallowtail

10.Now Jack uses insect pins tosupport the abdomen andprevent it from falling downinto the grove.

Jack Harry is demonstrating this methodwith a nitra form anise swallowtail

10.Now Jack uses insect pins tosupport the abdomen andprevent it from falling downinto the grove.

11.Now the specimen is set andready to dry.

Finished product

Vernon’s upside down non-grooveboard method

This method breaks away from the traditionalteachings somewhat.

It is designed to take full advantage of thepronounced ventral side of the specimen.

It optimizes space allotted on the spreadingsurface allowing you to spread manyspecimens at one time.This method was taught to me by Dr. Richard Howard,Director Natural History Museum Amarillo College. Hewas taught by his grandfather.

Materials needed

• Styrofoam block

Materials needed

• Styrofoam block

(I use the back of this board)

Materials needed

• Styrofoam block

• Insect pins

Materials needed

• Styrofoam block

• Insect pins

• Paper strips

Materials needed

• Styrofoam block

• Insect pins

• Paper strips

• And yes…

the specimen

Vernon Evans is demonstrating thismethod with a scarlet mormon

1. I place the pin into thespecimen the same as allother methods. Thisspecimen will be a dorsalmounted specimen

Notice the head of the pingoing down into the foam.

Vernon Evans is demonstrating thismethod with a scarlet mormon

1. I place the pin into thespecimen the same as allother methods. Thisspecimen will be a dorsalmounted specimen

2. I now prepare the specimento be placed VENTRAL SIDEUP on the flat spreadingboard.

Vernon Evans is demonstrating thismethod with a scarlet mormon

1. I place the pin into thespecimen the same as allother methods. Thisspecimen will be a dorsalmounted specimen

2. I now prepare the specimento be placed VENTRAL SIDEUP on the flat spreadingboard.

3. Using forceps, I open thewings up to allow thespecimen to lay flat on theboard.

Vernon Evans is demonstrating thismethod with a scarlet mormon

4. The HEAD of the insect pin ispressed into the foam board.

Vernon Evans is demonstrating thismethod with a scarlet mormon

4. The HEAD of the insect pin ispressed into the foam board.

5. A second temporary pin isused to prevent thespecimen’s body from turningon the board while beingprepared. It is placed into thethorax of the specimen.

Vernon Evans is demonstrating thismethod with a scarlet mormon

4. The HEAD of the insect pin ispressed into the foam board.

5. A second temporary pin isused to prevent thespecimen’s body from turningon the board while beingprepared. It is placed into thethorax of the specimen.

6. Now specimen is secure andclear paper is placed over thewing to start positioning it inplace.

7. As with other methods aninsect pin is used to positionthe wings.With the VENTRAL side up itis much easier to positionwings without tearing them asthe veins provide a raisedsurface.

Vernon Evans is demonstrating thismethod with a scarlet mormon

7. As with other methods aninsect pin is used to positionthe wings.With the VENTRAL side up itis much easier to positionwings without tearing them asthe veins provide a raisedsurface.

8. Both fore and hind wings arepositioned while utilizing myfingers to hold their desiredposition.

Vernon Evans is demonstrating thismethod with a scarlet mormon

7. As with other methods aninsect pin is used to positionthe wings.With the VENTRAL side up itis much easier to positionwings without tearing them asthe veins provide a raisedsurface.

8. Both fore and hind wings arepositioned while utilizing myfingers to hold their desiredposition.

9. Once the wing is positioned, Iuse insect pins to hold it inplace.

Vernon Evans is demonstrating thismethod with a scarlet mormon

Vernon Evans is demonstrating thismethod with a scarlet mormon

10.Once one wing is in thedesired position. You canmove onto the next side.

Vernon Evans is demonstrating thismethod with a scarlet mormon

10.Once one wing is in thedesired position. You canmove onto the next side.

11.Here I have both wingspositioned and I am ready tomove onto the abdomen.

Vernon Evans is demonstrating thismethod with a scarlet mormon

10.Once one wing is in thedesired position. You canmove onto the next side.

11.Here I have both wingspositioned and I am ready tomove onto the abdomen.

12.VERY IMPORTANT!!!Now you must remove thetemporary pin.

Vernon Evans is demonstrating thismethod with a scarlet mormon

10.Once one wing is in thedesired position. You canmove onto the next side.

11.Here I have both wingspositioned and I am ready tomove onto the abdomen.

12.VERY IMPORTANT!!!Now you must remove thetemporary pin.

13.Do this by bracing the thoraxwith forceps then pulling thepin out by hand.

Vernon Evans is demonstrating thismethod with a scarlet mormon

14. I position and brace theabdomen next.

Vernon Evans is demonstrating thismethod with a scarlet mormon

14. I position and brace theabdomen next.

15. I also use a pin to straightenthe head prior to aligning theantennae.

Vernon Evans is demonstrating thismethod with a scarlet mormon

14. I position and brace theabdomen next.

15. I also use a pin to straightenthe head prior to aligning theantennae.

16. I then position the antennae. Iuse as many pins asnecessary to get them straight.

Vernon Evans is demonstrating thismethod with a scarlet mormon

14. I position and brace theabdomen next.

15. I also use a pin to straightenthe head prior to aligning theantennae.

16. I then position the antennae. Iuse as many pins asnecessary to get them straight.

17.Now the specimen is set andready to dry.

Finished product

To mount a specimen ventralside up you place the pin tip into

the foam. Note the positionof the head of thepin. It is out of thefoam not in it.

AdvantagesMore specimens one each board.

AdvantagesMore specimens one each board.

Another advantage

Easily spread large specimens.

Thank you for your interest

Please email with any questions or input to:phencer911@msn.com

This presentation was presented to theUtah Lepidopterists’ Society 9 April 2005

Please visit our website atwww.utahlepsociety.org