Easiest Way to Make an Insect Collection
Insects are classified as six-legged arthropods with exoskeletons. Insects play an important role in the environment. For example, a honey bee plays the role of food-maker by creating honey and pollinating fruit-bearing plants, while dung beetles help produce compost that enriches the soil. According to the University of Illinois, insects make up more than half of all living things in the world. Entomology is the study of insects, and entomologists often observe insects by creating insect collections. Create your own insect collection to study these valuable creatures.
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Things You'll Need
- Insect
- Bug box
- Craft paint (optional)
- 1" thick foam board
- Tweezers
- Relaxing jar
- Cotton balls
- Rubbing alcohol
- Tissue paper
- Toothpicks
- Craft glue
- Card stock
- Scissors
- Insect pins
Instructions
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Create your bug box. Depending on your budget, select a box to suit your needs. Plastic or wooden insect boxes may be purchased from an online biological supply shop, while wooden or cardboard cigar boxes may be converted into bug boxes. Pizza boxes and other shallow frozen food boxes with lids can be converted into bug boxes, as well. Line your bug box with a piece of foam that has been cut to size. Decorate your box by painting it, if desired.
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Capture an insect. Refer to a field guide to obtain and properly identify your insect. Once you have captured an insect that you wish to add to your bug collection, keep him contained until you are able to transport him to a secure destination.
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Place a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball and place it in a glass jar, such as a mason jar. Once you have identified your insect, place it carefully into the relaxing jar. Before sealing the lid of the jar, crumple a piece of tissue paper and place it inside the jar; the insect needs a place to hide so that he does not become frantic and injure himself. Allow an hour or two for the bug to die.
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Remove your insect from the relaxing jar with a pair of tweezers and discard of the tissue and cotton ball. Gently arrange the insect's wings and legs into the position you wish him to be displayed in. Keep a toothpick and craft glue handy, as insects are fragile and may experience breaks. Carefully insert an insect pin through the upper right thorax of your insect.
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Using a word processor, type up information about your insect. Record the taxonomic order, family, scientific name and common name of your insect. Include the date collected, location (if possible), conditions the insect was found in and the collector's name. Print this information in a small font point onto card stock to create a label. Cut out the label and pin it underneath your insect in the bug box.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep your collection free of moisture to prevent mold and bacterial growth.
Place flakes of mothballs in your collection to prevent infestations from live bugs, such as mites. Purchase mothballs that contain the ingredient paradichlorobenzene for best results.
Do not kill endangered species.
Be wary of stingers and pincers when handling insects and protect your hands with gloves.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
