How to Correctly Label Insects in a Collection

Labeling your insect collection correctly can make it appear more professional looking, facilitating learning and providing an attractive and organized appearance. It can also help in communicating with others about the insects in your collection. Without proper labeling, it is easy to forget important details about the insects in a collection, reducing its overall value.

Things You'll Need

• Pen
• Paper cutter
• Label-printing or word-processing software
• Printer
• Paper

Instructions

Secure Supplies for Labeling Insects in a Collection

1. Obtain paper for labeling the insects. Many collectors choose to use a thick stock paper.

2. Buy or borrow a paper cutter.

3. Select a pen that has non-smear ink for labeling.

Make Insect Labels on a Computer

1. Use a heavy stock of paper to create insect labels on your computer.

2. Trim your labels using a paper cutter. Strive for rectangles with neat, straight edges.

3. Make certain your labels are uniform in size. Labels should be small. Many collectors make them about 1/2 inch by 1 inch each.

4. Write or print the city, county and state in which you collected each insect on its label.

5. Print or write the date on which you collected each insect on its label.

6. Finish each label correctly by writing or printing the name of its collector beneath the date.

7. Create a second label for each insect and label it with the corresponding bug's genus and order names. You may also choose to include host plant and habitat information on this secondary label.

Position Your Insect Labels

1. Place your insect label on the pin that holds your bug. Make certain your labels are orientated in the same direction as your insects.

2. Place insect labels for ethanol vials within the vials themselves.

3. Position each insect with its head to the left of the label.

4. Position a second label, with the order name and other pertinent information, beneath each primary insect collection label.

Tips & Warnings

• To avoid the misinterpretation of the dates on your labels, print the day of the month, followed by the name of the month (spelled out), on each label. Follow up with the four-digit year.

• If you are placing your insects in vials, use alcohol-proof ink to label your insects.

• Use a very small font for printing labels on a computer.

• Avoid placing insect labels on the outside of vials, as they may peel and come off.

• Bug collections without correctly produced labels are considered scientifically useless.