|
Post by trehopr1 on Jul 25, 2016 4:04:37 GMT
Speyeria idalia female Minnesota July 2008 Personal Capture
|
|
|
Post by trehopr1 on Jul 25, 2016 4:00:37 GMT
Papilio marcellus male Southern Illinois 2006 Personal Capture
|
|
|
Post by trehopr1 on Jul 25, 2016 3:55:25 GMT
Atlides halesus halesus male Georgia 1995 Personal Capture
|
|
|
Post by trehopr1 on Jul 25, 2016 3:50:22 GMT
Phoebis avelleneda male Cuba July 2007
|
|
|
Post by trehopr1 on Jul 25, 2016 3:45:25 GMT
Ornithoptera victoria reginae male Little Malaita, Solomons October 1975
|
|
|
Post by trehopr1 on Jul 25, 2016 3:38:49 GMT
Papilio hermeli male Philippines 1994
|
|
|
Post by trehopr1 on Jul 25, 2016 3:33:28 GMT
Bhutanitis lidderdalei male Bhutan 1948
|
|
|
Post by trehopr1 on Jul 25, 2016 3:26:30 GMT
Teinopalpus imperialis female Darjeeling India 1938
|
|
|
Post by trehopr1 on Jul 20, 2016 6:40:50 GMT
John, that looks to have been a phenomenal and very complete collection of the artic butterfly fauna. But, with that being said; it is most certainly overkill to say the least ! I do think that given the latitudes that collector was forced to collect in; he probably relied on has "honey hole" sites year after year simply because it's too much work to try to find new ones (in many people's minds). Not everyone is adventuresome. Still it looks to be organized, well labelled, and beautifully spread. In a way a testament to that collector's lifelong passion. Provided it found a good home or perhaps several homes than I feel something as over the top as it is --- it was still worthwhile because it was "cared about". Your collection looks to be well curated and organized. You obviously know your group of interest well. So there is no way I would ever regard it as a hoard. It is utilized regularly, as well as added to, and it is probably re-arranged from time to time as new species are added. A working collection indeed. Exoticimports, I certainly agree with your above statements regarding the obvious scientific value attributed to a collection built up over the last 45 + years and encompassing numerous acquired collections. However, it is truely dis-heartening to realize that all these wonderful things (which I personally saw on at least 2 occasions) are just sitting in a basement unattended to and potentially at risk of damage. It is to me sacrilege.... I couldn't possibly ever be that jaded and uncaring as to leave it basically alone and as some testament to my aggressive collecting nature.
|
|
|
Post by trehopr1 on Jul 19, 2016 8:31:23 GMT
I feel that anyone who has a true endearing passion for this hobby has probably had to work hard to strike a good balance in their life. Family and job commitments, along with monetary constraints help to shape our ways and means in the hobby. So for a great many of us any time that we are given for our hobby as well as any things that we acquire come to us in a generally (well deserved) if not hard earned manner. Hence, the wonderment never dims and our appreciation remains boundless. I have never understood the mindset of collectors with bottomless pockets. It seems to me they seem to work so hard to have the "most toys" but, are only satisfied in their latest conquest for a short while; only to move on to the next thing of desire. There are guys with car collections for example, who never even drive most of what they own. How about the art collectors who wind up shoving off most of their pieces to some temperature controlled vault; nicely sleeved and protected but,completely unappreciated. And fellows, like this one I've known who has not looked at a good measure of his specimens in over 20 years. How does anyone do that ? Well, I suppose some things will always remain a mystery and when the human quotient is any part of it; the outcome should be of little surprise.
|
|
|
Post by trehopr1 on Jul 16, 2016 7:18:00 GMT
Leon, because you are new to the hobby I suggest that you start small and progress with time. Good drawers don't come cheaply and cabinets are simply expensive. I suggest you start with one insect drawer and only buy as you need. That's the way I've always done it. There are basically two ways to go with this thought (regarding the drawers). You can either buy a Cornell drawer which has a full layer of plastozoate foam throughout the entire bottom or, you can elect to purchase a "flat bottom" Cornell drawer without any foam in the bottom. This type utilizes what we call unit trays. Unit trays are literally thin cardboard trays with thin foam glued into them. They come in a variety of sizes and are popular with coleopterists and collectors of other assorted insect orders other than leps. The trays come small enough to accept a single specimen or large enough to fit a Goliath beetle. The trays can be easily shuffled about such a drawer without ever having to physically handle the specimens. The only downside to a unit tray system is that there is an added cost in buying the trays --- in addition to the cost already spent on the drawer. The other way you just buy a drawer and your done. I would also add that the quality of unit trays is not quite what it used to be. Yes, the foam bottoms are good but, in my humble opinion the very cardboard used is far to thin (opposed to older ones I've seen); so they tend to "bulge" at all sides. You will still fit them in a drawer however, they are never nicely squared and firm. The best known outfit here in the states for such supplies including cabinets is Bioquip Products out of California. They have a website with their catalog on it to browse. I have always found their drawers to be top shelf quality. Drawers with foam throughout normally price out at 55.00 ea. for pine. Flat bottoms are a little cheaper but, by the time you fill one with unit trays the whole drawer cost could be something in the neighborhood 65-70 bucks each. Drawers in my opinion are the only way to go as everything you have within is easily visible through the glass lid. Schmitt boxes and the likes of most everything else force you to open the lid to view the contents (as a cigar box does); and they are never really all that large in size if your collection continues to grow. Cabinets should only be considered when you have acquired enough material in time. A metal 12 drawer cabinet with locking door goes for about 600 bucks. An open faced pressed board style cabinet which comes laminated in white is far cheaper. It's all about choices..... Anyway, best to start small and let the hobby progress with time. Best Regards, Trehopr1
|
|
|
Post by trehopr1 on Jul 13, 2016 5:46:51 GMT
Actually, scenes like the one above are not at all unusual here in the Midwestern states (the corn belt) during the month of June and sometimes early July. To experiance such a event one needs only to show up to some rural town baseball game and if it is a touch humid due to a mid afternoon / previous nights rain than look out --- the Fall army worm moths (Spodoptera frugiperda) will show up also. In 1998 Illinois was hit hard by the fall armyworm. Despite all the science, the hybrid corn strains, and of coarse the pesticides used; this pest species still remains one of the biggest and hardiest threats to our corn crop. Like many common fodder type species of things they have their cycles. And if the right conditions line up for them they too appear in vast numbers.
|
|
|
Post by trehopr1 on Jul 12, 2016 16:05:31 GMT
Happy to hear Leon that you were successful in your endeavor to find out what species of black Carabid you had ! Best Regards, Trehopr1.
|
|
|
Post by trehopr1 on Jul 12, 2016 5:13:32 GMT
Always a pleasure having new members join our ranks. Glad you mentioned something about yourself and your ongoing passion. You are certainly welcome to post live shots of things you see or encounter; much as our member Nomad does. It's all interesting and always appreciated !
|
|
|
Post by trehopr1 on Jul 12, 2016 5:02:01 GMT
Lycaenids are always such beautiful little creatures. Their beauty is only enhanced by photographs such as the ones you have taken Nomad. That particular species I might add is a "furry little bugger" of a species. Certainly, well adapted and evolved to manage those early summer rains and moderately cool temperatures the U.K. is known for. Splendid write up and good species choice --- as always !
|
|