Next up... my first mounted specimen!

Jason Green · #1 (**permalink**) 21-10-2009, 09:56 PM

Hi all... again!

Next bit of news... I have now mounted my first (pre-dead) Plant Bug using clear, water-based glue. Without further ado:

20/10/2009

The full slide (complete with awful white balance ), the whole bug and a face-on...
...all taken from from the slide using my digital camera.

I glued it from underneath first, then dabs of glue in six spots before pressing the tarsi down on each, then dabbing just a little more on top. Any other ideas or tips most welcome!

ID: Is it something like Pinalitus cervinus?

Well, sorting out those legs was tough! Each time I thought I'd splayed them out enough to mount, they closed up again. Lesson #1: Use a relaxing chamber!

It's been very educational. First off, I had no idea how flimsy the wings are - they often had me thinking they were a bit tougher. The scutellum I thought was more like armour, but under a microscope when touched - it's like paper! I can certainly see the benefits of maintaining a personal collection - if I come across a dead one that needs photographing from several angles for a good ID, then a mounted specimen is worth a good few photos, surely! Not only can you hold it under the microscope and rotate it, but shoot several images at leisure too. Conservation and recording go without saying.

Well, I'm pretty pleased with it!

Take care,

Jason

tristanba · #2 (**permalink**) 21-10-2009, 10:36 PM

Well done Jason, setting plant bugs can be very fiddly as they are rather delicate. You are right with Pinalitus cervinus and it looks like a male (rather elongate and parallel-sided).

If you use thin perspex rather than card then you can see underside features without having to unglue the specimen, which can be of benefit. I find a damp paintbrush can be useful to pick specimens up when positioning and pins are ideal for applying glue to the legs and antennae. As you probably realise, you will get best results using fresh material as there's no need to relax the specimen and manipulation is a great deal easier

I don't tend to card up too many bugs but it is very useful for the more difficult groups; having actual specimens to refer to is invaluable.

Cheers
Tristan

Jason Green · #3 (**permalink**) 21-10-2009, 10:46 PM

Thanks Tristan!

I think I'll change the cardboard mount design to incorporate a clear panel for the mounting - as you say, you then get to see all angles. I first off messed up an aphid I was mounting; think wings sticking up and legs both broken and glued down underneath. It's not pretty!

It taught me a couple of lessons...

Such as the difference between a dab of glue applied to the mount under the microscope, and one applied without - why is it then so much bigger?!

acherontia · #4 (**permalink**) 24-10-2009, 06:51 PM

Forgive my ignorance - do you actually do this while the insect is alive? If so - what's the advantage of using a live insect rather than putting one to sleep (ie in the freezer) before taking out and setting?

Acher

lync · #5 (**permalink**) 24-10-2009, 07:36 PM

You kill the insect using killing fluid such as ethyl acetate which leaves the specimen relaxed and therefore easier to set.

Jason Green · #6 (**permalink**) 24-10-2009, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acherontia

Forgive my ignorance - do you actually do this while the insect is alive? If so - what's the advantage of using a live insect rather than putting one to sleep (ie in the freezer) before taking out and setting?

Acher

Nah - it's hard enough getting a considerably dead one to stay still for setting!

ron1863 · #7 (**permalink**) 24-10-2009, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Nah - it's hard enough getting a considerably dead one to stay still for setting!

Try training one to assume the position Jason, save you a lot of work

acherontia · #8 (**permalink**) 25-10-2009, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Nah - it's hard enough getting a considerably dead one to stay still for setting!

Aha! Thankyou.
OH uses a different method.

He's been doing some cracking 30 -52 frame stacked images including 'art work' on artifacts etc. He says I can put one on if you're interested?

Cheers

Acher

Jason Green · #9 (**permalink**) 25-10-2009, 11:40 AM

Sure, thanks! What method does he use then?

acherontia · #10 (**permalink**) 25-10-2009, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Sure, thanks! What method does he use then?

He says I can't tell you (

).......but it involves freezing , then setting, refreezing and thawing when required. So there you are!!!

Good job he's got his own fridge now - it was getting a bit inconvenient looking after his winter supplies where the bread was supposed to go.

I'll put one of his sexton beetles on a new thread when he passes it over on a pen drive. I'm sure it was a little easier to set than a tiny aphid for example.

Acher