2024 Annual Bug Collection Full Tour!

[@entomologywest]

very big and colorful collection, im probably gonna make a collection video myself in a couple days too

[@leifcollectsbugs]

Should be a load of fun!

[@alyssareikimasterhealing5032]

Call her Georgia 😸

[@leifcollectsbugs]

A perfect name!

[@novatactix5920]

Cool

[@leifcollectsbugs]

Thanks!

[@devenblight5971]

This is an awesome collection you should definitely study entomology if your not already, where do you like to collect?

[@leifcollectsbugs]

I'm from Texas, so that's where my specimens are based. I definitely think I'm gonna try to study Entomology professionally

[@devenblight5971]

@leifcollectsbugs I'm a horticulture and soil science major and I've taken entomology classes and worked with entomologists before it's a really great subject to study there are a ton of great job opportunities available especially if you like working with plants and animals.

[@corbeau-_-]

cool bugs. I'd get a laserpointer though and perhaps edit a few shots (like one with the flies and a stationary camera, you tell something and then a shot where perhaps you hold the camera and point with the laser. A continuous shot tends to get messy, real fast, unless it is fixed in position (and then still it's not advisable). Seeing your hand go from left to right didn't do much for me. The lighting has similar issues - especially with the hand and the huge shadow it casts. Someone asked for labels, this is possible too. For now collecting and preserving bugs is going excellent, which is the most important I suppose. Best of luck!

[@leifcollectsbugs]

Many of my specimens are labeled. The ones that aren't are due to the fact that my printer isn't compatible with my label template but all their locality data is saved. If y'all want shots on specific insects, lemme know, and I can make short videos of just those groups! Thanks for the feedback! I learn a lot from y'all!

[@bradbrad9561]

Nice! But labels PLEASE. 🙂

[@leifcollectsbugs]

I know! The data on my collection is saved! Don't worry!

[@djmonotonous]

do you find your specimens dead or alive usually?

[@leifcollectsbugs]

Most if not all professional collectors catch their specimens alive.

[@djmonotonous]

@@leifcollectsbugs I see! How do you become a professional collector? Im an amateur entomologist / collector and only collect specimens I find dead

[@leifcollectsbugs]

@@djmonotonous Many methods, but you'll want to research the environments and other habitat preferences of the target species or groups you wish to catch... In my experience here's a few places that are best for bugs FLOWERS and tall grassy areas: Flowers boast an environment and food source for many flies, bees, wasps, moths, butterflies, beetles, and more Tall grass is a preferred environment of many grasshoppers. In both cases, day time will be the time you'll want to look, especially when warm and sunny Under rocks and logs Rocks and logs provide shelter from the outside predators and elements like rain and cold... Often you'll find isopods, centipedes, spiders, beetles, some hemipterans, millipedes, mites, and Springtails (and many more) Blacklighting/nighttime collection One of the most underrated collecting methods is taking advantage of the nighttime, especially in the summer when temps are above 60 at night. Blacklighting during this time can bring you insect orders you've never seen before like barklice, neuroptera, mayflies, roaches, and even sometimes dragonflies and mantises... But you'll catch almost all insect orders at night if you light them... Headlamping for spiders is also very easy. Simply wear the lamp and walk around and their eyes will reflect, exposing them to collect and photograph or what have you. WATER AND NEAR WATER Very often overlooked, if you have a water body near you TAKE ADVANTAGE! It's a good way to find aquatic beetles, hemipterans, some snails and other groups. You'll also find animals like dragonflies and damselflies often flying near water and other species will visit to get a drink... That's just a few, but the more specific of an animal you are trying to find, it'll be easiest to simply look into that exact animal's preferred space (given they are in fact in your range). To store dead specimens you caught live, simply keep in alcohol of sorts like 70% or 91% isopropyl until you are ready to pin them. That or you can freeze them which I prefer as I see it preserves the colors and strength of the insect best when being pinned. Good luck!

[@moonflower8829]

WHY DID YOU KILL THEM

[@leifcollectsbugs]

How else do you do this?

[@videosruin]

Why u pick the ugliest groups to say its your favorite

[@leifcollectsbugs]

I totally understand your question! To you, they may be hideous, or grotesque, and while it may sound crazy, they are even more creepy up close. To me however, what intrigues me the most is not their beauty, but their diversity. I still admire and love the stunning and extravagant Arthropods, but when it comes to collecting, I find groups like diptera, and hymenoptera to be very interesting. Many flies and wasps actually happen to be pretty! I suggest you look into them deeper, friend!