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Post by neominois on Mar 10, 2017 5:04:13 GMT
I've noticed that when I take specimens off of the board some will want to curl their forewings upward slightly. Any ideas why this happens? I always leave specimens on the board for at least two weeks, and they are pinned flat against the board, but they still do this on occasion.
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Post by Paul K on Mar 10, 2017 8:19:59 GMT
I've noticed that when I take specimens off of the board some will want to curl their forewings upward slightly. Any ideas why this happens? I always leave specimens on the board for at least two weeks, and they are pinned flat against the board, but they still do this on occasion. Usually that happens only to folded dry specimen. Sorry to say but most likely they will curl up more as soon as the humidity rise slightly in your room and it will be when you stop heating your home.  |
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Post by neominois on Mar 10, 2017 14:49:39 GMT
Thanks,
Yes it is my folded dry specimens. It never happens to fresh specimens. So, there is no way to prevent this from happening?
The only remedy I have found is after taking them off of the board, to turn them upside down and re-pin them back on the board for another week or so. This flattens them out again.
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Post by wollastoni on Mar 10, 2017 15:27:18 GMT
2 things that may help :
. be sure to cover the full wing (especially the sides)when you spread them.
. I personnally leave the specimens one month of the board.
I never had this "curling wings" issue but I may live in a less humid place than you.
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Post by Adam Cotton on Mar 10, 2017 16:15:14 GMT
What temperature do you dry the specimens at? High temperatures may be a potential cause of the problem.
Adam.
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Post by neominois on Mar 11, 2017 2:46:53 GMT
Thanks, I live in Colorado, where it is usually very dry. I cover the entire wing and let them dry at room temperature. I do not dry them in an oven.
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jhyatt
Aurelian
Posts: 224
Country: U.S.A.
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Post by jhyatt on Mar 11, 2017 14:33:40 GMT
I almost never have problems with wing curling. One exception is O. paradisea tails, which always seem to try to coil up. I use microscope slides to flatten the outer portion of the wings while drying.
I keep my collection in a room with a dehumidifier; the relative humidity stays around 40-45% (might hit 50% briefly on a rainy day; stays lower, say 20%, in the wintertime when the heat is running). I've really never had problems with wings drooping, curling, or sagging. When preparing old papered specimens, I leave them on the boards at room temp for 24-48 hours, by which time I contend that they are in equilibrium with room humidity, and further time on the board accomplishes nothing. I have on occasion left bugs on the boards for 2-3 weeks, but they turned out no better than the ones dried for only a day or two.
This is of course for old, relaxed specimens. Freshly caught material is a whole other ball of wax. I generally let butterflies dry about a week or 10 days, but a fat-bodied moth can require 2 weeks. Again, I have not found that leaving them on the boards for additional time does anything for them.
That's my 2 cents' worth!
Cheers,
jh
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