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Post by xavm (Xavier) on Oct 23, 2018 7:14:56 GMT
Thank you for the post. Unfortunately - to my knowledge - chlorocresol is forbidden in EU, and Bioquip do not ship overseas. Just a pity for us folks, chlorocresol is very powerful.
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Post by trehopr1 on Sept 22, 2019 1:09:22 GMT
It has been almost a year since I first presented this thread on "how to" spread/set "fresh caught" Lepidoptera. I had hoped I might receive some feedback on the subject because, I am ever curious as to whether anyone has tried their hand at it (using my directions); or has at least employed some measure of my technique in their own efforts. Nonetheless, I post a few more pic's illustrating some of the 25 success stories I've had since last year ! I don't necessarily collect small lepidoptera on a regular basis however, when something curious catches my eye I'm "off and running" for the spreading board... My last photograph is of my "smallest" capture to date. This tiny fellow has a wing expanse of only 18mm (tip to tip). He was picked up in Los Angeles county Calif. earlier this year. Working with him whilst "fresh" was a flawless operation and he is now the smallest butterfly which I have personally ever collected. I don't even know his species...
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Post by gaspipe on Sept 24, 2019 0:30:42 GMT
Hi just read this thread . Funny cause a couple of days ago I pinned ( or tried to pin) 6 Coppers . Only one came out acceptable. I happened upon your post and just finished pinning a tiny Copper. It worked !!!! Thanks
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Post by trehopr1 on Sept 24, 2019 7:55:40 GMT
Wonderful, simply wonderful to hear ! So happy to kindly hear back from somebody out there. There is a whole world of small Lepidoptera out there to make specimens of for collection. They really are awesome in their own right when you can look upon a nicely "set" drawer of them.
I have seen some work done by dedicated enthusiasts of the "small fry" and it is breathtaking....
Perhaps, sometime down the road you will be able to show us the "fruits" of your labor. Best Wishes !
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Post by luehdorfia on Sept 24, 2019 8:04:44 GMT
I am still doing it with a setting needle, always gently just at the veins without poking a hole, and I think it’s just a question of practicing. After 100 specimens within two or three days you are good to go, just spread a lot everyday and you won’t poke any holes in it by accident. What also works well for me sometimes with very small Lycaenids or tiny Satyirids is blowing gently from behind, when the specimen is already on the spreading board, the wings go up really easily and then just let the spreading strip fall down quickly, also just a question of practicing. Whenever I am gone for a few months and can’t spread specimens and I start again, my hands are so clumsy that it’s driving me crazy, it takes a few hours until you get the fine movements right again.
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jwms
New Aurelian
Posts: 2
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Post by jwms on Apr 13, 2020 16:22:09 GMT
Although I have not tried it yet, last year I saw a video where the butterflies(the ones shown were the size of a Monarch or Tiger swallowtail) were pinned upside down. A thin slot was cut in the foam, pin was placed as usual, the specimen was placed upside down with the pin head in the slot. The specimen was pushed down until the wings were against the foam,then held down with a strip of parchment. Holding the paper with a finger on the rear wing, the fore wing was set and held in place with another finger, then the finger holding the rear wing was lifted and the rear wing was teased into position. The paper was then pinned down. Repeat for the other side. The antenna were then set; legs left close to the body. The main advantage I see with this is the hind wings are easier to move as you do not have to try and move them under the fore wings, much easier with small specimens. Great site and look forward to trying this method I found here this morning when I start collecting this year.
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Post by trehopr1 on Apr 24, 2020 8:04:34 GMT
Here are a couple of photo's once again featuring my handiwork as illustrated on Pg.1 of this thread. These Geometrid moth species were collected right outside my house by the porch light ! So, it shows you that one need not stray far from home to find hidden treasure amongst Lepidoptera. These moths were spread right away whilst fresh and the wings are flawless and flat. The antennae on Geometrids can at times be problematic in that even when they are "braced" straight with "minuten" pins they may curl somewhat on differing species. I think due to the very "humidity" present in the air ! These fellows "cured" for a month and yet the first pictured species still curled. Common Name: The Beggar (Eubaphe mendica) This particular species has marvelously "translucent" wings which you can read print through... Wonderful for "blending in" in plain sight; and the faint spots help "break-up" any outline or pattern as well. Common Name: Small Purplish Gray (Iridopsis humaria) Well, just another one of the hundreds (if not thousands) of cryptic colored bark species of Geometrid moth. However, each and every species has its own unique wing pattern and corresponding "wavy"lines !
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