How to Get an Excellent Insect Collection
- 1). Collect the insects to display in your insect collection. Capture specimens with an insect net to prevent damaging the insect or getting bites or stings on your hands or other part of your body. To capture insects, sweep the net across tall grass to collect insects as they attempt to flee or position the net under a single insect and pull the net up swiftly to capture it.
- 2). Hold the open end of the net against the ground until the insect reaches the closed top of the net. Position the killing jar under the open end of the net and work the insect back down into the jar, using soft hand movements on the net to close off sections and force the insect down into the jar. Place the lid on the killing jar once the insect falls inside.
- 3). Allow the insect to sit in the killing jar for several minutes to an hour while the substance in the killing jar suffocates and kills the insect. According to Home Science Tools, you can create a killing jar by placing cotton balls soaked in rubbing alcohol in the bottom of a sealable glass or plastic jar and placing the insect on top of the cotton balls.
- 4). Remove the lifeless insect from the jar and use a magnifying glass to examine and identify the species of insect you captured. Use tweezers to hold and move the insect without damaging its wings, antennae or legs.
- 5). Place an entomological pin through the insect's body. The position of the pin depends on the type of insect; however, the best method involves sticking the pin through the softest part of the body to prevent damaging the insect. Leave the pin head sticking approximately one-half inch above the insect's body.
- 6). Pin the insects into the display case. Group insects of the same species or class together and make labels to identify each for yourself and others. Create the labels with printable labels and a word processing program on your computer. This creates even, dark letters instead of sloppy handwritten labels.
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