Insect Preservation

Book excerpt: The collection and preservation of insects, both for scientific study and as an artform, has a long and interesting history. The practice was particularly popular throughout Europe and flourished in the Victorian era. During the early nineteenth century, a period of unprecedented cultural, scientific and social change, Victorian England was fascinated with the collection and preservation of insects. Butterflies, and to a lesser extent, beetles were omnipresent in art and fashion. The increasing popularity of amateur naturalism contributed to the popularity of insect preservation as a pastime while the beauty and mystery of the butterfly undoubtedly qualified it as being highly en vogue. Entomology is the study of insects and includes the pinning and preservation of insects for future reference. Entomologists have developed protocols for preserving specimens that are designed to provide consistency throughout collections. In this book our primary focus is on teaching you how to prepare specimens that will look beautiful. Despite this focus we have been careful not to deviate from collection protocols too much. Littered throughout this comprehensive guide are a host of entomology facts, morphology notes as well as practical tips to give you a well-rounded picture of this fascinating field. In order to achieve the best results, you will need to make sure that you plan out your work time effectively and have the correct tools on hand.