Natural Background Bark etc. as Props

[nightshade]

I am having trouble with pieces of bark that I have had for a number of years as props, to place my subjects on. The natural aging process has reduced my stock drastically. How do I preserve any future pieces without detrement to the animal subjects?

[DorsetDunk]

...hmm is old bark in that short of supply that you need to conserve it
you don't exactly say what your subjects are and why they need to be placed on bark do you find them all on bark ? would it not be best to try and emulate there natural surroundings?

hang on now there is a lot of people into moths on this forum is that your subject matter ?
now i photograph insects in a collection tray when in the field and used to use paper backgrounds painted with water colour paints with natural hues of yellow streaked with greens and browns it did look more natural but the warm colours effected the white balance

so i now use a neutral Tupperware tray so that the colours do remain true as i am more interested in details for identification and like the effect of an insect spot lighted without being lost with in the distractions of a background which can obscure details, than preserving a natural setting plus the neutral Tupperware improves the lightening

i must admit photographing on bark is quite difficult as it has the habit of sucking the light in when it dark and has crevices where the light can bounce reflect and disperse unevenly