The steps for making butterfly specimens mainly include the following points:
1. Catching butterflies
Choose a time when butterflies are active, such as morning and evening, and use a butterfly net to catch butterflies, making sure to be as gentle as possible to avoid causing harm to the butterflies.
2. Quick processing
Place the captured butterfly in a container with moist paper towels to keep its wings moist to slow blood circulation and prevent the wings from drying out.
You can also put the butterfly into a triangular paper and shake it gently to anesthetize it (or use other methods to anesthetize it, taking care not to damage the butterfly), then place it in a box filled with moist sand and cover it, and it will soften in about 2 to 3 days. To prevent the butterfly body from becoming moldy due to high humidity, a small amount of carbolic acid or formaldehyde solution can be dropped into the sand box.
3. Cleaning
After the butterfly wings have hardened slightly, use a soft brush to remove dirt and debris from the wings.
4. Drying and spreading wings
Place the butterfly on a flat cardboard or special butterfly specimen board with its wings facing down, and use absorbent paper or a fan to help dry it naturally. You can also use a wing-spreading board to fix the butterfly with insect pins and then spread its wings to adjust its posture.
The drying process can take several days to a week, especially on some large or thick-winged varieties.
5. Fixed
Use an insect needle to gently insert it into the joints of the butterfly's body to ensure the connection between the wings and the body, but avoid penetrating the wings.
6. Labeling and saving
Write the name of the specimen, date and location of collection and other information below the butterfly.
Place the fixed butterfly in a moisture-proof specimen box and use plastic foam or sponge to provide support to prevent the specimen from deforming.
7. Precautions
The entire process needs to be carried out in a sterile environment to prevent the specimen from rotting.
Avoid long-term exposure of specimens to the sun and contact with harmful substances, check the status of specimens regularly, and repair them if necessary.
For rare or protected species, relevant regulations should be followed and do not catch and make them at will.
Please make sure to follow these steps while respecting nature and having fun butterfly taxidermy. Preparing butterfly specimens requires patience and finesse to produce beautiful and high-quality butterfly specimens.
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