Re-using specimen containers

[MattPrince]

Originally Posted by Dannica

when you want to get books for everything you've ever seen, there's soon a great big hole where your money used to be.

LoL - indeed !

[bigdave60dog]

Originally Posted by Dannica

Matt,

All the spider and woodlouse specimens I have are in 10% formalin solution - most of these are from past assignments or just my studying and practicing id. I do have some beetles, and really think I should take some time to sort and pin them, although I'm not sure where to keep them as I tend to horde everything everywhere. Specialist ID books (as in specialising in one species and more specific taxonomy) are so expensive! Well, I suppose some aren't too bad, but when you want to get books for everything you've ever seen, there's soon a great big hole where your money used to be.

A problem with the beetle specimens is that I don't have full metadata for them; obviously I have the 'who', but not the when and where, which is a shame.
D

Have you tried the Aidgap series from The Field Study Council, These books are quite good (Woodlice are about a tenner)but beetles and spiders are expensive cos they are such big groups.
IN the days that I bred moths on an industrial scale I could buy baby equipment sterilizer from boots. I think that iy was just a very weak solution of Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach).
The Aidgap books recommend keeping specimens in a 70% alcohol solution.
Surgical spirit from boots is good.
Dave

[Dannica]

Originally Posted by bigdave60dog

Have you tried the Aidgap series from The Field Study Council, These books are quite good (Woodlice are about a tenner)but beetles and spiders are expensive cos they are such big groups.
IN the days that I bred moths on an industrial scale I could buy baby equipment sterilizer from boots. I think that iy was just a very weak solution of Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach).
The Aidgap books recommend keeping specimens in a 70% alcohol solution.
Surgical spirit from boots is good.
Dave

As far as I know we're not allowed more than a 10% concentrate from college; probably to do with their insurance and health and safety and things.

I've got the aidgap woodlice key, but none of the others. I've found that using more than one book can help to get to Family level, then you need another one to go beyond that. But the cost mounts up all the same. Always scouring charity shops just in case.

I've got some december moth eggs that I'm keeping for spring. They're in a plastic tank, and I'm worried about them escaping through the ventilation grill holes at the top. Not sure if I should cover it all to block the holes, or if this might stop fresh air getting in, or if it even matters.
D

[bigdave60dog]

Originally Posted by Dannica

As far as I know we're not allowed more than a 10% concentrate from college; probably to do with their insurance and health and safety and things.

I've got the aidgap woodlice key, but none of the others. I've found that using more than one book can help to get to Family level, then you need another one to go beyond that. But the cost mounts up all the same. Always scouring charity shops just in case.

I've got some december moth eggs that I'm keeping for spring. They're in a plastic tank, and I'm worried about them escaping through the ventilation grill holes at the top. Not sure if I should cover it all to block the holes, or if this might stop fresh air getting in, or if it even matters.
D

You can seal up the air holes with Micropore tape. They get plenty of air without the holes. Make sure that you don`t let them get too wet though.
I always line the bottom of breeding trays with kitchen roll. It soaks up the moisture, keeps the bottom clean and you ca always see any dead larvae.
To put in new food plant I take second tray line it with kitchen roll. Then put the new food plant in. Then take a pair of sharp scissors-using a lens if neccesary cut off each Larva onto the new food. This way you get to count the live, hatched larvae, you take out all waste matter, any dead larvae and old food plant thus giving them all a fresh clean start.
No-one seems to advocate this method any more. It is very successful in avoiding diseases.
Dave

[Dannica]

Originally Posted by bigdave60dog

You can seal up the air holes with Micropore tape. They get plenty of air without the holes. Make sure that you don`t let them get too wet though.
I always line the bottom of breeding trays with kitchen roll. It soaks up the moisture, keeps the bottom clean and you ca always see any dead larvae.
To put in new food plant I take second tray line it with kitchen roll. Then put the new food plant in. Then take a pair of sharp scissors-using a lens if neccesary cut off each Larva onto the new food. This way you get to count the live, hatched larvae, you take out all waste matter, any dead larvae and old food plant thus giving them all a fresh clean start.
No-one seems to advocate this method any more. It is very successful in avoiding diseases.
Dave

Some really useful tips, thank you, Dave. I was considering using a small block of oasis (the green stuff used for flower arranging) to keep the foliage damp, but it sounds as though this is exactly the thing not to do as it promotes too much damp.
So, what's today's most advocated method?
D