How to preserve insects in frame

Once you have collected your insects, the next step is to preserve them properly for future study and display.

Methods of collection and preservation of insects

Various insects will require different methods of preservation; soft-bodied insects like larvae or termites are preserved in liquids while larger specimens are mounted on insect pins of varying sizes. Insects that are too small to be mounted on pins are glued to a triangular point.

Preserving Soft-Bodied Insects in Alcohol

Soft-bodied insects should be preserved in plastic or glass vials with alcohol (70%-85% isopropyl or ethanol alcohol is ideal).

These insects include larvae, scale insects, termites, aphids, thrips, silverfish, mayflies and earwigs. Other insects can be preserved in alcohol as well (with the exception of butterflies, moths, and bee flies (bombillids) because the alcohol will damage their wings).

Pinning Insects

Insect pins of various sizes are available from entomological suppliers—we recommend getting size #2 or #3 as they’re good general-purpose sizes for most insects.

Use only pins designed for pinning inse

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