Things You Need to Know to Enhance Your Insect Collection

Create a fascinating and educational insect collectionstraight, and facing the same direction. Group the labels
display to showcase your favourite species.into specific insect species groups to organize the
This way you can develop a much better appreciationplacement of specimens within the container. These
for your entomology collection while showing it off tolabels should be held down by the pins so that they lie
friends and family at the same time.flat against the bottom of the display box container.
One of the best ways to augment your existing bugTo produce appropriate specimen identification labels
collection is to simply upgrade the general appearance.you need to be as accurate as possible when
You can begin by neatly arranging each of theidentifying your insect collection. Order level is important
different types of species into an orderly fashion insidewhile common species names are necessary but not
a simple box or container. The best way to arrangealways required.
this is from the top to the bottom and from the leftMake sure that the mounting technique is appropriate
side to the right side. The box or container should be afor a particular specimen as you do not want to pin
standard size and cleaned thoroughly before use. Youany immature insects. It is best to use fully grown or
can paint or wax the box to make your insectmature adult specimens only.
collection stand out more.For the most visibly appealing insect collection display
When placing the insects into the box make sure toyou should include a varied selection of insects from
group the specimens under their correct order andas many different species as possible. Do not allow
family names. Line up each category of similar insectone group of insects to dominate the collection and
groups together wherever possible as this isovershadow all the other specimens in your display
necessary to maintain a proper order in your overallwhich would make it imbalanced. The types of
display. You can distinguish the different orders andspecimens you choose to display are more important
families from each other if you include labels which arein advanced insect collections. Choosing perfectly
clearly typed in a neat and organized way.mounted rare specimens is the ultimate goal.
The background color of your insect collection displayThe best way to produce an educational experience
is also important as helps to exhibit your collection in afor your entomology collection is to simply make an
much better manner. A standard white color is usuallyeducational display box.
best but you can choose other lighter shades of colorsEducational display boxes are created to educate
as well such as blue, green or red.others something about your insect collection. These
When deciding which particular species to include intypes of displays utilize similar insect boxes as the
your insect collection display it is best to choose theregular insect collection boxes but much more
insects that are in the best condition from yourcreativity is demonstrated in educational displays than
entomology collection.in insect collections. Educational display containers
For example, the wings on any butterflies or mothsteach almost any subject in regards with insects and
need to be properly spread. Antennae, legs, and otherusually feature real specimens as part of the box.
protruding body parts need to be properly positionedSubjects often select and include comparisons of
when attempting to dry them. When drying your insectspecific details such as insect body parts, camouflage,
collection you need to support the head and abdomenhabitat, growth and development, behaviour, food
of large and less rigid specimens to prevent any typeresources, or other important tidbits of information
of sagging that may ruin the appearance. If possible,topics.
try to recreate realistic or life-like positions whenTo create a good quality educational display you will
displaying your insects.need to remember that the purpose of the educational
You never want to display damaged or poorlybox is to educate others.
mounted bug specimens. It is far better to display aKeep the description simple try not to teach multiple
properly mounted simple specimen as opposed to aconcepts within a single display. Make sure the
badly mounted rare specimen.information presented is scientifically accurate. Note a
To properly display each insect in your container youheading in the container that clearly lets the viewer
will need to pin each specimen so that they are levelknow exactly what the display is about. The display
and not tilted at an angle on each pin. If you have longshould tell its own story in as few words as possible to
pins it is best to place each specimen at a similarget the point across. For the best results display
height on the pins themselves so it does not looksomething you have personally witnessed or
uneven. Make sure to pin the insects according to theexperiments you have actually conducted and last, but
order of each family group of each species.not least, try to be original.
After you have pinned all of your insect collection youNow that you know all the necessary tips to improve
will then need to produce labels that are neatly printedyour insect collection go ahead and try to create your
or written. For improving the education value of yourown insect collection display. There is nothing better
entomology collection it is good to make sure eachthan knowing that you created a beautiful and
label contains sufficient data of the species beingeducational display for your entomology collection with
displayed.your very own hands.
Position the printed labels on the pins so they are level,