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Post by joopes on Jul 10, 2022 15:39:35 GMT
At the moment I am in Europe, and so I am attempting to capture as many specimens as possible, as I rarely encounter chances like this.
One issue that I have is that I have no syringes or real kill jars with me, and don't have immediate access to a freezer when I catch things.
I ended up trying to use hand sanitizer to euthanize a butterfly specimen (Melanargia galathea)... It certainly did the job, but it also stuck the wings together (luckily in a closed position, so it is easy to get back to the US, and possibly fix there)
I neglected the fact that hand sanitizer is frequently rather sticky, and rarely only composed of alcohol as I had hoped.
Is there a way I can 'unstick' the wings? My first thought was isopropyl alcohol, as it can dissolve water based glues, but I am not sure what the base for the chemicals causing this problem is.
-
Jacob
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Post by Adam Cotton on Jul 11, 2022 10:24:18 GMT
To kill butterflies you catch all you need to do is hold them by the thorax with wings closed using thumb and index finger through the net fabric and give them a pinch. There is absolutely no need to use hand sanitizer or inject them. After pinching the butterfly it is completely immobilised and you can paper it straight away. In the evening put date and place on the envelope then but it in the freezer in a sealed plastic box.
Hand sanitiser is basically ethanol in a sticky gel, which may or may not wash off in water and or isopropyl alcohol. If possible you should try to wash the butterfly with water in the evening, that should at least remove much of the gel.
Adam.
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Post by joachim on Jul 11, 2022 11:32:36 GMT
as far as I know, you need a permit.
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Post by joachim on Jul 11, 2022 11:34:30 GMT
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Post by joachim on Jul 11, 2022 11:55:13 GMT
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Post by joopes on Jul 11, 2022 20:44:13 GMT
as far as I know, you need a permit. As far as I am aware, collecting is fine in the UK I will make sure not to do so in Germany though |
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Post by joopes on Jul 11, 2022 20:44:56 GMT
To kill butterflies you catch all you need to do is hold them by the thorax with wings closed using thumb and index finger through the net fabric and give them a pinch. There is absolutely no need to use hand sanitizer or inject them. After pinching the butterfly it is completely immobilised and you can paper it straight away. In the evening put date and place on the envelope then but it in the freezer in a sealed plastic box. Hand sanitiser is basically ethanol in a sticky gel, which may or may not wash off in water and or isopropyl alcohol. If possible you should try to wash the butterfly with water in the evening, that should at least remove much of the gel. Adam. How do I avoid removing the scales with the water? |
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Post by nomihoudai on Jul 12, 2022 6:07:42 GMT
You can buy syringes and high percentage ethanol in any pharmacy.
I haven't used killing agents on butterflies since years. I only use it for moths.
For butterflies all you need to do is to hold them between thumb and index finger when they are in your net and press firmly on their thorax and they will stop moving.
In Germany the common species are not protected (around 25), but the others are. In France only a few are protected. Switzerland and France are the friendliest countries to collectors.
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