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Post by luehdorfia on Jul 10, 2017 11:23:20 GMT
This year I have been catching some nice butterflies in Europe, but I don't have time to spread them. I really don't like rehydrating, therefore I just put them in the refrigerator at minus 23 degrees celsius directly after catching so they are completely wet still and not dry. My plan is to spread them in two or three years when I am back from my expat job.
Then I just take them out, defreeze and can directly spread them easily.
Is that a good idea? Will two or three years at minus 23 degrees, so any harm to the specimens? Especially since there bodies are still filled with fluids?
Thanks a lot already for your help!
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Post by exoticimports on Jul 10, 2017 12:36:33 GMT
In my experience (since I do likewise) the specimens will still dry and you will be unable to set them after 2-3 days. I use the refridgerator to keep specimens a couple days, but if I leave them longer they still have to go into the softening container.
Chuck
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Post by luehdorfia on Jul 10, 2017 12:50:43 GMT
Do you keep them in airtight containers or papered? I had some in an airtight container used for fruits normally, and after one year they were still totally fine but a bit less easily to spread than completely fresh.
Probably still better than completely drying and then completely rehydrating.
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jhyatt
Aurelian
Posts: 224
Country: U.S.A.
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Post by jhyatt on Jul 10, 2017 13:01:46 GMT
"Frost-Free" freezers will dry out papered specimens faster than old-fashioned non-self-defrosting types. I use an old chest-type deep freezer for bugs, and moderate-to-large specimens stay soft and spreadable for some weeks. Lycaenids and small moths still have to be rehydrated, though. Best thing about freezer storage is that it stays dermestid-free!
Cheers,
jh
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Post by africaone on Jul 11, 2017 5:58:54 GMT
keep them in airthight plastic box, that will solve the problem of defrost action (that concern the air). Complete as more as possible the space (to minimize the air volume). Try to have no condensation inside when puting in the freezer.
I used this technique and the lepido are still very soft after 2-3 weeks (even more).
To defrost them, let them defrost in the box until reaching ambiant T°, otherwise you will have severe condensation problem.
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