Recto and verso setting

[Paul K]

For many years I've been setting Lepidoptera only recto - upper side up. In my new SE Asian collection I did set some specimens verso.
I know many collectors never set verso up and some do. Is there specific scientific rule in regards this subject or it is up to individual preference. I am still not convinced if I should continue settings verso up in some species or give up and go back to only recto style.
I don't see the reason in moths cases as they mostly dull or the colours and patternes follow the upper side but many Nymphalidae, Pieridae and Lycaenidae have actually more interesting and colourful patterns underside.
What do you do about verso/recto setting and what is your determination in making the choice.

Paul

[Deleted]

Beauty, interest, underside abs, comparison of a variable series, specimen died inside out, you can set verso and then re-pin as recto producing outstandingly flat results, specimen may be rubbed/stained on recto but perfect verso, many, many reasons.

[cabintom]

In my experience many species are most easily told apart by comparing the verso. So if I've got a specimen in hand I want to quickly ID, it's often useful to have some versos available for comparison... well, it's easier than having to handle specimens already placed in the drawer.

Some groups I'll only have one verso, other groups I do the opposite. Satyrinae for example; for me it's all about the verso.

[wollastoni]

As a Delias collector, I spread 95% of my specimens on verso, not on recto

For me, it all depends on genus. Some are more interesting on rectos, some on versos, some have both interesting.

Let's not forgive that versos is often the most exhibited part of wings in nature, and thus the most important patterns for natural selection. Natural selection has created some very interesting verso patterns for camouflage (Kallima, Anthocharis, Hipparchia...), for aposematic warnings (Delias...) while rectos are sometimes less interesting.

[Adam Cotton]

"rectos are sometimes less interesting"

That's an understatement where most Delias are concerned.

Adam.

[deliasfanatic]

It depends on the genus and species. Delias are verso by default, although I usually show a male or pair as recto if I have enough specimens of a given taxon. Other Pieridae, almost always recto except for some with distinctive versos (some Cepora, Belenois, etc.). Papilionidae = nearly always recto. Nymphalidae are the most likely verso candidates (other than Delias); I do versos for many Charaxes, Euphaedra, Callicore, Perisama, etc.

[jhyatt]

I once asked the late J.F.G. Clarke of the Smithsonian whether it is a good practice to mount occasional specimens inverted, and I've always followed his advice. He said "They're your specimens and you may set them any darn way you please!" (In practice, this means I set verso-up when the upperside is badly scratched or stained. But to each his own.)

Cheers,
jh

[NathanGrosse]

I tend to set most of my specimens in recto, but if I have multiple individuals of a given species, I like to set one specimen verso, just so the undersides can still be seen at a glance when I pull out my drawers.