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Post by dreamfocused on Sept 4, 2020 23:06:32 GMT
Hey y’all! I’ve never done anything like this before, but I found a beautiful butterfly dead outside on the sidewalk and saved him to make a shadow box. He’s been in the fridge in an air tight container at this point for a few weeks now (I now know I did this wrong and should have frozen). But it’s too late now. When I opened to container he smells bad lol, and is super stiff so I put him in the closet with a moist paper towel and a dash of hydrogen peroxide (as an antiseptic) and let him chill for a couple days. Well now he has mold on the thorax. The wings are still in pretty decent shape but he still smells.... is it too late or is there still hope for my butterfly?
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Post by Paul K on Sept 4, 2020 23:34:07 GMT
It would be complicated process to save this butterfly with no guarantee.
First I would try to soak it in alcohol or Acetone for 24 hrs to kill mold.
Then gently remove from a container as a specimen will be very fragile and easy to break.
Place in the sealed container on the bottom wet paper towel, on top of that put something like plastic rap or styrofoam and on top of that place your specimen so it is not in direct contact with wet towel.
You should also put one moth ball inside.
Wait 24 hrs and the specimen should be flexible enough to spread and mount ( search on YouTube how to spread butterfly).
Dry well for couple of weeks in well ventilated area ( don’t try to dry it in closed box or something as it will mould again.
Don’t handle butterfly with your fingers as you will rub the scales off, use forceps all the time.
If this won’t work try to catch new butterfly for your shadow box.
Good luck
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Post by dreamfocused on Sept 5, 2020 0:36:07 GMT
Ok I did an acetone wipe down, you’re saying to actually soak the whole insect? Or just the body? Could I soak a cotton ball in acetone and place it under the thorax? I’m such a novice I’m scared to break him or mess him up.
Also wondering if I should freeze before placing him in the container with the paper towel in case there are any little mites or anything. He’s in the freezer now.
One more question, when I get to the paper towel stage should I store that container in the fridge or just in a dark cool space? Thank you for the tips! I’m learning so much in this forum already!
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Post by Paul K on Sept 5, 2020 1:06:44 GMT
Submerge all specimen to make sure you kill all mold spores. If when acetone vaporized and you still see mold spores then try gently remove as much as you can with Q tips .
When you relaxing specimen it doesn’t really matter where is the box but don’t put in direct sunlight or any light as UV fade the colours.
You don’t have to freeze it
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Post by Paul K on Sept 5, 2020 1:12:35 GMT
Ok if you have this in the freezer, keep it overnight and try to relax it and after 24hrs mount it. It should dry out.
Working on butterflies is not an easy task, you need a lot of practices.
First one won’t be perfect but you’ll get there if that’s what you want to do.
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