3) Holding the pinned butterfly, place the body in the groove of a spreading board and push the pin into the groove to hold butterfly in place. There are a variety of reasons people collect, preserve and display specimens of insects and their relatives. The longer you wait, the more dry, stiff, and friagile the butterfly’s wings will become. So, I found a mummified, perfectly preserved butterfly on my window sill. Wings last for a very long time, and a lot of butterflies keep their color for hundreds of years if left untouched. Of course the main reasons relate to scientific studies, and for these purposes there are many conventions that have been developed and students are encouraged to follow these whenever possible so that specimens collects and documented can ultimately … After pinning, it is helpful to force the wings down with forceps. But I cant do any of this as the butterfly is quite fragile. Relaxing and drying are necessary to prevent the specimen from breaking or molding in the future. You will use these strips to hold the wings in place and keep them from curling as they dry. Its beautiful and I want to preserve it and look at it and may be show it off to people. Just go ahead and pin the butterfly, following the instructions in the blog, starting with step 4. Gently insert a sharp pin between the veins on the front edge of the left fore-wing and pull the forewing into place. This step makes the specimen easier to manipulate once it is positioned on the mounting board. 4) After the thorax is pinned in the groove, place thin strips of paper (or index card) over each side of the wings, close to … Butterflies come in different sizes and colors, and are considered beautiful by many people. Next, pin the specimen onto the mounting board, being certain to keep the side of the butterfly, where the wings are hinged to the body just above the surface of the mounting board. It's wings are spread completely apart. After following the steps to spread the butterfly’s wings and keep them in place, leave the butterfly for a good week. Then, after the butterfly has dried in the way you like, there was a bit of glue on the bottom side of the thorax glued directly to the glass. The butterfly has such a short lifespan that we need these conservation groups to keep them populating. Collect butterflies for preservation by locating dead specimens or humanely killing live specimens. 4. I have one where the butterfly is pre-set, much in the same way as you would for a collection. Once these butterflies die naturally, they have wings left. Preserve a butterfly specimen by relaxing, pinning and drying the specimen. I would not wait. I was told to hairspray it, which I did, and to place it in the freezer, where it is now. Although the technique and method of preservation varies depending on the life stage of the butterfly, preserving a butterfly typically involves placing the specimen in preservative fluids and then storing it in rubbing alcohol to keep its wings moist and relaxed. I believe I found it very shortly after it died, because it wasn't brittle or falling apart. Display. See if I can make a brooch or something out of it and give it as a gift to people close to me. paper will get ink marks on your butterfly) about that are about 1-1/2” wide and 6” long. As far as how the frame and glass, i am sure you could buy one online or make it on your own. Our collection of framed butterflies is mounted with UV blocking glass in a gallery frame and includes the famous Monarch Butterfly, Framed Morpho Butterflies, Charles Darwin’s favorite butterfly, and species from the Swallowtail Family. I am trying to find out how to preserve it, but I have no experience with this. I found a butterfly today. 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