How to Make a Relaxing Chamber for Insects & Butterflies

A relaxing chamber is essential for mounting butterflies.

After you have collected insects, you need to mount them appropriately. However, after insects die, they become stiff, and mounting them without breaking their bodies, wings or limbs becomes difficult. A relaxing chamber helps the butterflies and other insects soften even after they have dried out slightly, and placing a dead insect in a relaxing chamber allows you to mount it more easily. A relaxing chamber is an easy thing to make at home.

Things You'll Need

• Large jar with screw lid
• Clean sand
• Carbolic acid
• Small dish or small jar lid

Instructions

1. Pour 2 or 3 inches of clean sand into a large jar with a screw lid.

2. Pour a small amount of water onto the sand until it is thoroughly dampened.

3. Pour off any excess water from the jar.

4. Add between two and five drops of carbolic acid to the sand. Carbolic acid is available at drug stores, and it helps prevent fungal growth.

5. Place a small dish or jar lid on top of the sand. Set your insects on top of the dish and screw on the jar lid, leaving them in the jar for between 24 and 48 hours. They are easy to bend once you remove them.

Tips & Warnings

• Mount your insect specimens immediately after you remove them from the relaxing chamber.

• Do not leave your insects in the relaxing chamber for more than 48 hours, because this can damage them.

References

• Purdue University: The Relaxing Chamber
• Forest Pests: Insect Specimen Preparation; William H. Hoffard, et al