How to Spread Butterflies and Moths for Display

Spreading moth and butterfly wings makes for a more attractive display. However, care must be taken with spreading insect wings, as they are very delicate, and damage can occur fairly easily. Most collectors use spreading boards to properly position butterfly and moth wings for display.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Cardboard
• Sand
• Jar
• Spreading board
• Index cards
• Straight pins

Relax Butterflies and Moths Before Spreading Them

1. Place a dead butterfly or moth in a prepared relaxing jar.
2. Replace the lid on the relaxing jar.
3. Allow the butterfly or moth to rest inside the relaxing jar while the jar's humidity builds.
4. Check the butterfly or moth daily; proper relaxing usually takes one to three days. Look for signs of mold or deterioration.
5. Remove your specimen from the jar as soon as it appears relaxed (moist and flexible) enough.

Create Your Own Relaxing Jar

6. Put sand in the bottom of a wide-mouth jar. Stop when the sand fills about 1 inch of the jar.
7. Mix 1/2 cup of your chosen disinfectant with an equal amount of water.
8. Wet the sand in the jar with the disinfectant/water solution. Be careful to avoid flooding the sand or making it muddy.
9. Cut a piece of cardboard to fit the diameter of the jar and place it directly over the sand. Strive for a tight fit.

Spread Butterflies or Moths

10. Purchase or make spreading boards using styrofoam.
11. Cut several strips of index card paper. Make sure each strip is thin and about 2 inches long.
12. Grasp the butterfly or moth by its thorax. Carefully, but using firm pressure, push a pin through the thorax.
13. Make sure the insect is level on the pin.
14. Stick a pin on each side of the specimen's body.
15. Position a cut strip of index card over each of the insect's wings.
16. Attach each strip to the board with two pins.
17. Move the left forewing forward with the help of a pin.
18. Position a pin in back of the forewing's larger vein, gently pulling it forward.
19. Spread the forewing until its lower edge is horizontal.
20. Position a pin through the index paper strip in the area close to the wing's front edge.
21. Use a pin to move the hind wing. Maneuver it into a forward position overlapping the forewing.
22. Secure it using two pins through the index paper strips.
23. Repeat each step for the other side of the insect's body.
24. Allow the butterfly or moth to dry completely, then remove the strips. Drying may take several days to accomplish.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoiding using bleach in your relaxing jar.
• When you attempt to spread butterflies or moths for display, do not pin them through their wings.