[ID, pinned] Another female Nomad!

[Jason Green]

Afternoon all,

I found this resting on Bramble yesterday. Which one is it, please?

30/04/2010

Three of the standard orientation


Four focussing on finer details...
...Wing venation, tegulae, and mandibles with three very shallow teeth

Any help or comments appreciated!

Take care,

Jason

[JRsbugs]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Any help or comments appreciated!

Jason

Does that mean I can say I hate killing insects unnecessarily and am revolted to see them stuck on pins?

[meinchewster]

Originally Posted by JRsbugs

Does that mean I can say I hate killing insects unnecessarily and am revolted to see them stuck on pins?

contentious point youve raised here JR. Whilst it is a tradition of entomologists to collect specimens, with the advent of quality digital cameras, most species can be ID'd without pinning but some need closer examination.

Unless its a notably rare species then as insects have huge reproductive potential, it can be argued collecting individuals is acceptable.

Though I agree with your sentiment and I prefer not to collect myself but sometimes its the only way of accurate IDs and recording and if others do it, its their choice. Jason is keen and I wouldnt expect him to collect specimens just for the sake of it.

Jason as for the species....no help form me, if it doesnt live or breed in water i struggle haha

[Matt Smith]

Originally Posted by meinchewster

Whilst it is a tradition of entomologists to collect specimens, with the advent of quality digital cameras, most species can be ID'd without pinning but some need closer examination.

As a professional entomologist, I'd have to say that a low percentage of the more obvious insect species can be identified from photographs, but for a positive ID, the majority of species need to be carefully examined under a microscope.

Things like native butterflies and dragonflies are the most obvious things that don't really require the collection of a voucher specimen, in most cases a photo will suffice, but if I am trying to distinguish which one of the 13 Haliplus ruficollis group water beetle species I have in my net, then this requires the dissection of a male beetle.

"Stamp Collecting" type insect collections are really not required these days, but collection of scientific vouchers for positive identification still is.

[bonitin]

I too am revolted at the sight of pinned up insects, rare or not!
Respect for all living creatures, no matter what specie would make the world a better place to live in..

Myriam

[BloomingMarvellous]

I'm on the understanding that before you pin an insect you send them to sleep in the fridge. I killed a Wasp a few weeks back to get closer detailed shots of it, I didn't stick a pin it though. I suppose if you know what your doing, and it's teaching others, then it's fine as long as the numbers are good.

But I don't agree with this.

Insectables :: Minibeast/Minibeasts/Bug Accessories/Insect Jewellery/Animal Jewellery/Unique Jewellery/Resin Jewelleryxe::xeCOMPUTER MOUSE

Maybe Jason could explain how he does this, maybe even show us on a short video, I'm interested to know.

[JRsbugs]

Originally Posted by meinchewster

contentious point youve raised here JR. Whilst it is a tradition of entomologists to collect specimens, with the advent of quality digital cameras, most species can be ID'd without pinning but some need closer examination.

Unless its a notably rare species then as insects have huge reproductive potential, it can be argued collecting individuals is acceptable.

Though I agree with your sentiment and I prefer not to collect myself but sometimes its the only way of accurate IDs and recording and if others do it, its their choice. Jason is keen and I wouldnt expect him to collect specimens just for the sake of it.

Jason as for the species....no help form me, if it doesnt live or breed in water i struggle haha

I agree with your argument.

I find it not necessary to launch on a, as stated by Matt Smith, "Stamp Collecting" campaign.

Far better, if not an entomologist and needing specimens for a certain project, to get a better quality camera and learn how to use it. You might miss some, but you will probably get more than trying to nab the insect every time you see one. The insects also get to live and do as nature intended them to do.

Hobby collecting may be the choice of some, and there is no law against it, but to stick insects and display them like a trophy to try to gain credibiity for one's ego is in my view obscene.

[BloomingMarvellous]

For knowledge not credibility.

[eucera]

Matt is correct. If correct identification to species level is required (for whatever purpose), there is no alternative at the moment to killing and pinning them so thay can be studied under the microscope. There are many instances where it is not necessary to determine to this degree of accuracy... but there are also cases where it is essential

If Jason can tell us if the mandibles of this specimen are simple or bifid, then we will probably be able to determine this to specimen to species level. To get that information from a photograph of a living specimen is nigh on impossible.

I too abhor throphy collecting and would never condone it.

[meinchewster]

Originally Posted by Matt Smith

As a professional entomologist, I'd have to say that a low percentage of the more obvious insect species can be identified from photographs, but for a positive ID, the majority of species need to be carefully examined under a microscope.

Things like native butterflies and dragonflies are the most obvious things that don't really require the collection of a voucher specimen, in most cases a photo will suffice, but if I am trying to distinguish which one of the 13 Haliplus ruficollis group water beetle species I have in my net, then this requires the dissection of a male beetle.

"Stamp Collecting" type insect collections are really not required these days, but collection of scientific vouchers for positive identification still is.

Indeed matt, a 3mm beetles genitalia are hard to spot via pic. Just had the fun of this only last week.

BTW what is your preference on chemicals?