777
Junior Aurelian
Posts: 97
Country: U.S.A.
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Post by 777 on Oct 5, 2018 23:06:52 GMT
I usually preserve my insects in alcohol inside vials, so today I’m trying something new by pinning a Phanaeus Vindex from my collection (I’ve never pinned an insect before). I’ve done the correct steps of pinning it, but I’m a little bit worried about the specimen fading or just decay of any kind. Do any of you have any experiences of shiny or iridescent insects fading in color?
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Post by deliasfanatic on Oct 5, 2018 23:14:12 GMT
Structural color (=iridescence) won't fade because it's based on physical structures rather than pigment. However, it doesn't seem well known that there may also be underlying pigments that *do* fade, so the overall color can change over time. I've noticed this on my specimens of Papilio ulysses and other iridescent blue butterflies: the original rich blue has become lighter with a cyan tinge, which I believe is due to underlying pigment changes.
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777
Junior Aurelian
Posts: 97
Country: U.S.A.
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Post by 777 on Oct 6, 2018 1:17:17 GMT
Structural color (=iridescence) won't fade because it's based on physical structures rather than pigment. However, it doesn't seem well known that there may also be underlying pigments that *do* fade, so the overall color can change over time. I've noticed this on my specimens of Papilio ulysses and other iridescent blue butterflies: the original rich blue has become lighter with a cyan tinge, which I believe is due to underlying pigment changes. Thank you! I hope as time passes, we might be able to develop ways to keep light damage at bay permanently. |
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Post by deliasfanatic on Oct 6, 2018 3:53:59 GMT
Light will definitely cause damage, but the fading I mentioned above has occurred with storage in complete darkness. Many butterflies will shift color while aging; the Papilio that I mentioned are just one. Some (all?) black butterflies will gradually turn a deep brownish-black; the yellow of Delias and other Pieridae becomes duller and more orange; worst are bright red Heliconius, which continue to fade for decades. I have many that were brilliant candy red when fresh; after 6-7 years, I notice that they have faded noticeably, and after 25 years, the red is now a dull burnt orange. It keeps going....I have other Heliconius that are 80-100 years old and their red has become even more dull!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2018 19:43:43 GMT
I usually preserve my insects in alcohol inside vials, so today I’m trying something new by pinning a Phanaeus Vindex from my collection (I’ve never pinned an insect before). I’ve done the correct steps of pinning it, but I’m a little bit worried about the specimen fading or just decay of any kind. Do any of you have any experiences of shiny or iridescent insects fading in color? |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2018 19:44:23 GMT
Sometimes they say in a little but you should be fine just as long as you're done it the right way and should come out just fine have a little more faith in yourself my friend
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