|
Post by neominois on Jun 28, 2016 4:41:56 GMT
I was thinking about heading south to Arizona at the end of July to the Pena Blanca Campground near Nogales Arizona for some moth collecting again this year. I went there in 2008 and it was a great experience. My question: Does anyone know if it is currently safe down there? With all the trouble with drug runners and such near the border I've been hesitant on doing the trip for the past 6 years or so. I was hoping for someone to be able to give an update on the safety of the area. It is such a great moth collecting site... Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by neominois on Jun 24, 2016 23:14:28 GMT
Oldest specimen I have: Neominois ridingsiiLoveland Colorado 1894 Leg: Ernest J. Oslar
|
|
|
Post by neominois on Jun 24, 2016 3:19:40 GMT
If the brown stains are already on the wings, you can try the water-and-cotton method mentioned by africaone. Rub very very gently to try to avoid removing scales. Another method that I've used successfully is to fill a hypodermic with hot water, then "blow" the fine stream onto the brown spot(s) repeatedly. Hold the specimen at an angle so that the water drips downward and off of the wings. You may have to do 4-5 (or more) hypodermic syringes of water to remove the staining. I once had a scarce form of P. dardanus female, perfect except for severe meconium staining that stuck the wings together; this method removed nearly all of it after doing it repeatedly. Thank you! this is exactly the information I was looking for. I'll try the hot water and let you know how it works.
|
|
|
Post by neominois on Jun 23, 2016 18:02:29 GMT
Thanks for the information. It seems the abdominal secretions are a bit of a mystery to us. Any suggestions as to how one might remove this ugly stain? I'll try africaone's idea of cotton swap and water on one of the specimens.
|
|
|
Post by neominois on Jun 23, 2016 17:26:06 GMT
Unlike most Entomologists, I became hooked a little later in life than most. I was a senior in college and was preparing to graduate with a teaching license in Biology. I thought it might be cool to collect some insects for a display case in my future classroom. For my birthday, my Mom gave me a small net with a few jars. I went out into the backyard and caught my first butterfly, of course, a Monarch. That was it, I was hooked, more like obsessed... I began searching everywhere for butterflies. It was all so new, and I was so naive on the science, that everything I found was magnificent! I soon stumbled upon James Scott's book "Butterflies of North America" and it opened the door to the wondrous world of butterfly species for me. I wore out my first paperback copy of his book, scouring the pages over and over as I traveled all over Colorado pursuing butterflies. This lead me to graduate school specializing in Lepidoptera and the rest is history. This summer 2016 marks my 19th year of collecting. My collection is small by most standards, because I only collect 2-3 specimens of a species from any particular locality, but it is growing and I'm very proud of it. Today it stands at around 5,000 specimens of Lepidoptera. Matt Below is a picture of my first collection. That first Monarch is in the bottom left corner! Haha!
|
|
|
Post by neominois on Jun 23, 2016 16:59:10 GMT
To avoid it, do you put toilet paper inside your triangles/papillotes ? This technique avoid the greasing of self-caught specimens. I have never thought of adding anything to the envelopes such as toilet paper. Should it wrap around the abdomen? or be placed in between the closed wings after the specimen has been dispatched? I've collected thousands of specimens in North America and never had an abdomen stain a wing, and I've never added anything to the envelopes.
|
|
|
Post by neominois on Jun 23, 2016 0:41:27 GMT
Several of the specimens I brought back from Peru have that abdominal stain on the wings. I knew to remove the abdomen from Morpho species (luckily) but Now that I am spreading the material I have noticed that certain Nympalidae and Pieridae specimens are also staining the wings. This really bums me out as some specimens have the stain and others i collected of the same species do not. First of all, are there any techniques to avoid this other than removing abdomens? (I saved the Morpho abdomens and plan on re-attaching them once specimens are dried). Second, is there anything that can be done to remove the stain on specimens. I experimented a little with acetone, dripping it onto the stain. It helped a little by dissolving grease, but the stain remains... I never have this staining problem with North American species... Suggestions? Thanks much, Matt
|
|
|
Post by neominois on Jun 22, 2016 23:52:04 GMT
Well, I live in Colorado and was on my way to Los Angeles, so I turned off the highway and traveled down to the Apple Valley area. Thanks to your video I was able to collect these very interesting subspecies!
|
|
|
Post by neominois on Jun 22, 2016 23:32:40 GMT
Because of the first video on Insectnet.com, I dropped by Rock Corral in March of 2015 and collected corralensis, californica, and neumoegeni. Pretty good collecting that day but I never did see Indra
|
|
|
Peru
Jun 21, 2016 23:15:03 GMT
Post by neominois on Jun 21, 2016 23:15:03 GMT
I thought about this trip for about 2 years prior to going, cost being a main factor. Manuel does charge more than what you could do on your own, however, the fact that when you are with him you will have a completely worry-free experience. We collected in La Merced Peru in a conservation area where only Manuel's connections allowed us to be there. We also collected along the Tambo River where Manuel's connections again allowed us into areas where access is difficult. On top of that, he takes care of all the permits, which I am told is a real pain to do on your own.
Overall, I think the price was worth all the extras he is willing to do for you.
|
|
|
Post by neominois on Jun 21, 2016 21:42:36 GMT
First 105 specimens from Peru on the boards.
|
|
|
Peru
Jun 20, 2016 15:20:42 GMT
Post by neominois on Jun 20, 2016 15:20:42 GMT
I have the first 100 specimens on pinning boards right now. I will attach photographs of specimens once they are off and in boxes. I was near Satipo along the Tambo River.
|
|
|
Post by neominois on Jun 20, 2016 3:54:10 GMT
Here is what I brought back from my Peru trip.
|
|
|
Post by neominois on Jun 20, 2016 3:49:11 GMT
I just got back from my first exotic collecting trip to Peru. I decided to go with Amazon Insects because of the fact that he advertised that the trip was all inclusive and they could take care of permits, travel, lodging, etc. My trip was short, only one week, and I brought my 14 year old daughter along as my assistant. I must say, I am extremely satisfied with the job Amazon Insects did for me. Everything was taken care of, from transportation, to meals, permits, lodging. I spent two days along the Tambo River engaging in the best butterfly collecting I have ever had. Hundreds of tropical butterflies swirled around me and I spent the entire time collecting in an area of about 30 yards. My host was excellent, he was informative, helpful, insightful, and literally took care of every aspect of the trip. I was very pleased with my experience and want to start planning my next exotic trip. If you want to collect in Peru, look up Amazon Insects and talk with Manuel! Attachment Deleted
|
|
|
Post by neominois on Jun 19, 2016 17:15:09 GMT
I know Insectnet.com has a classified page where people sell/trade. I used it years ago to find several people to trade with that I still trade today, however I forgot my password to their site and they won't let me create a new one as it says the forum is closed.
I'm new to this forum, but I'm sure by talking with people on this forum you can develop some trade buddies! I'll trade with you. I live in Colorado, I'll collect mountain butterflies in a few weeks, Oeneis, Erebia etc. If you collect local specimens people will want to exchange!
Matt
|
|