Casting Insects in Resin

Visit bit.ly/insectphoto to submit your insect/arthropod photo for a chance to get it added to the wall.
In this video we will discuss how to cast insect in resin as a way to display your insects. This technique requires some extra safety precautions as these chemicals are somewhat hazard. This is definitely a rewarding project, but should be completed with proper supervision. In the video I walk you through tips and tricks to set your insect in the proper position and castings recommendations. I also share some examples of how to cast insects properly and poor examples where things didn't go well.
Sponsored by University of Idaho Extension.
Main Music By Epikus
Other Music By Bardic Inspiration

[@maxklein835]

To prevent bubbles with ANY type of resin- make sure you measure and mix VERY slowly for several minutes. You don't want to agitate it and add air to the mixture, and making sure it is thoroughly mixed gives it the clearest possible outcome. Make sure you pour it as slowly as possible and AROUND the subject before pouring directly on top. Everything rises to the surface in a much more manageable way. In professional resin casting heat guns, blow torches, and even lighters are use throughout the process to pop any bubbles that rise to the surface. I hope this was helpful! Go make some great specimens :)

[@pixxie1543]

That was helpful indeed! Would it also help to work in several layers? Especially when working with several objects (like insects or dried flowers) in one piece?

[@maxklein835]

@@pixxie1543 I'll be honest this was my hyperfixation like a year ago and I remember none of it now 💀

[@DeadNotSleeping789]

Resin cast insects and arachnids was a primary way my interest was nurtured in the creatures as a kid. Kept one on my backpack half way through highschool!

[@erinulrey116]

Thank you for making the video! I have been working with resin for several years for many purposes. The two resins you have are very different. The resin you do like is a polyester based resin. It’s the same resin that is in many automotive body fillers. The catalyst is Methyl Ethyl Keytone Peroxide. It is a corrosive chemical if left on skin so be very careful with it. Polyester requires less time for full cure. It does not like moisture and will cause a soft cure if there’s too much moisture in your work of in the air. This resin exotherms at a higher rate than the other resin as well. But as you said it is very strong in smell. The proper solvent for polyester resin is acetone so keep that in mind. And never use alcohol with polyester resins. It will inhibit the cure. The other resin is an epoxy based resin. The ratio tends to be different consisting of 50/ resin and 50/ hardener. The epoxy resin requires much more mixing and is very prone to bubbles if you aren’t careful. There are several things out can do to prevent this. Mix slowly for two minutes after combining the epoxy resin. The. Pour the mix into another clean cup ( called your transfer cup) and mix for two more minutes. This ensures that our resin is completely mixed and there isn’t any raw A or raw B clinging to the sides of your cup. Let that sit for a bit to allow bubbles to rise. A heat gun will pop all of those bubbles (or use a degassing chamber). Carefully pour your resin and take a heat hunt to your surface periodically. Your solvent for epoxy is alcohol so keep in mind the difference in chemicals. Be sure to leave your piece alone for at least 30 hours. This will prevent finger marks. You can achieve crystal clear epoxy pours without a pressure pot this way. I also suggest trying UV resin to tack your insects into place after pinning and before casting. I’ve used it and had fantastic results. I hope this helps!

[@realityjunky]

Do the liquid insides of insects decompose, suffer from mold or fungus or deflate the exoskeleton after casting?

[@Quake210]

They are *very* durable. I've wailed on some of mine with a ball-peen hammer with hardly a scratch. Oh, and make sure that you're only using preserved specimens. If you use something fresh it *will* rot inside the resin.

[@InsectHunter]

What tips would you share Brian? Soaking them an alcohol for a few weeks or what.

[@Quake210]

@@InsectHunter Depends on what *it* is. For soft-bodied larvae and the like, I'd probably leave that in alcohol for a few months depending on size before I tried to cast it in resin. Hard-bodied stuff I'd pin as normal and when it's dry you can cast it.

[@FireFlashX32]

This is what I'm trying to learn, how to go from catching to putting them in resin for collecting with my boyscouts (I'm new to insect collecting). So 'dry in either alcohol', or let it dry normally for a few weeks before casting it?

[@katicorn4214]

I'm pinning my first insect right now (a paper wasp, using your tutorial too) and I was just going to look for this video🙂 I want to make jewelry out of my specimens, wish me luck

[@strawberrycheese5373]

Did you ever make then and where can I seeee??

[@tjmj7996]

I remember when I was 9, I was watching you when you had...2.3k subs? your channel was educational and cool, but with time you've just gotten better in my opinion! keep up the good work and have a great week ; christmas!

[@tsaltslinger3268]

Dude.........your music you you moved the roach......that was deep man! I was feeling that .....stressing the whole way when you moved it. That music was quite the groove!

[@funkstauzz]

Exactly what I wanted to learn with nothing extraneous. Thank you!

[@JumpingSpidersUSA]

Thanks for this video! I've been wanting to try my hand at this for a while now and just ordered the Clear Lite Casting Resin today to give it a go.

[@richardbaez566]

Thanks for making this tutorial, been meaning to do something like this.

[@raymondkilminster2194]

nice idea with the resin . you and your family have a Great Christmas and a insect packed New Year .

[@mooselodgemommy]

Hi - thank you for this very helpful video! My son has saved a rattlesnake rattle for 9 years (he was bitten by the rattlesnake but survived after 6 days in the ICU). I called trophy places and a taxidermist but nobody would touch it. After watching your video I'm going to try setting the rattle in a resin mold. I've used resin for jewelry in the past, but this is a larger project and I don't want to mess it up. Again, thanks for this video - I feel a little more confident to try it now. : )

[@JemiQui77]

Also, you can torch it to get the bubbles out. Or use a pressure pot.

[@kingklab8165]

Love the video. Wondering if you have any tips for keeping the bugs from floating up while curing? Thank you!

[@matthewmeldrum3284]

Hey thank you for the video. I was hoping you can attach a link to the resin product so we can start making our own. The quality is way above anything I've seen before. Me and my brothers are going to start doing our own castings based off your video. Thank you so much!

[@InsectHunter]

www.tapplastics.com/product/mold_making_materials/casting_products/tap_clear_lite_casting_resin/75

[@PeppersnGlowworms]

That is good timing, I was just about to cast the previous generation of my lampyrids in resin, though in a much less sophisticated way. I'm using a type of resin that is used for water bodies in train model settings...

[@dimitrymorvant9526]

Thanks for another good one

[@BaddoBadtzMaru]

Thank you! This was very helpful

[@InsectHunter]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Armmani2000]

Interesting stuff! Should have done it when I caught a camel spider. Happy Holidays!

[@ShreddinSleds]

I wonder if a vacuum chamber could be used or if it would deform the specimen. I know they work great for pulling bubbles out of resin and stabilizing wood or other porous objects.

[@madz2013]

I'm hoping to preserve the body of my pet jumping spider who passed away. Thank you for this video

[@creaturedomes9364]

Nice I love embedding insect in resin 👍

[@clognog8049]

Ill have to give that resin a try, the type i got is also pretty bubbly.

[@papyrusthegreat457]

I want to give this a try with forest ground beetles, I just worry about positioning limbs, it looks hard...

[@woodswalker88]

I'm doing a resin cast of a Brood X cicada. Mine just kept floating to the top (bottom when de-molded). These insects are mostly hollow, especially when dried out...so are you supposed to prevent them from having bubbles and floating to the top? I held it down with a stick and continued to push it down as the resin hardened. This was supposed to be a "deep cast" resin (Chinese brand from Amazon) which would not require layers... but as my bug floated to the top I waited till it was tacky & thought I better pour another layer to anchor it. Nope...same thing happened. It is now about 3 hrs since I poured. The resin has hardened too much for me to push the insect down. It is now protruding right up at the top (bottom). I would love to know how to avoid this with the rest of my specimens, which were very common a month ago but now they will be unobtainable for the next 16 years. Also, please tell me how to clean my resin cups and molds, because paint thinner isnt working. Thanks for your help!

[@LacramioaraCana-dj3ce]

Hello, I love your video. I have a question, my grandson's tortoise died and I put it in alcohol. Could I put it in resin and how should I proceed? If you had a link where I could watch it, I would be very grateful. Thank you much appreciate 😊

[@Carrot_Pop]

Would the insect not rot inside the resin if it is not dried out and the guts taken out before placing it in resin? I have a large tarantula that I would like to preserve in resin but I have been told NOT to do so unless I have taken the proper measures to remove the guts and dry it out prior to doing this. What do you suggest?

[@lightningstudios113]

It’s early spring for me and I found this weird Black Sea urchin thing i didn’t touch it and it had orange circles on the sides on it and it was Hercules beetle size and it was in my frontyard so can you tell me what it is

[@frogwaternc]

If you have an insect that’s already dead how do you get it in the right position. You said you killed the roach in alcohol. I have an Asia Forest Scorpion and a few Cucadas I want to cast but not sure how to go about it with them already dead. Thanks.

[@mkuan8094]

I already did them but now I have trouble finding a mold that is able to fit my insect as it is quite large... a dragonfly of wingspan about 8cm.

[@clognog8049]

do you have a hissing roach colony? I recently got a dubia roach colony, there very nice critters.

[@InsectHunter]

Yes I have hissing roaches.

[@janiestevenson7134]

Could you also do this with freshwater invertebrates?

[@lydiac9118]

Great video! 2 questions though: 1) do you wait for each layer of resin to cure fully before adding the next? If no, how does the specimen not rise up through the uncured layers? And 2) can this be done with uv resin?

[@InsectHunter]

I am not sure about UV resin, but what I do is allow the bottom layer to mostly cure and then place the bug in once the resin begins to gel at about 20 minutes in or so. Then you leave it there till it mostly hardens then put the last layer. You want the bug to get stuck in the 2nd layer so it won't float to the top of the third or final layer.

[@abik_9586]

Hello,, please help me, how to make butterfly wings not become transparent when cast it in resin? Thanks in advance

[@maddiet4837]

Try that other resin again. Stir really slow and torch it after you pour it. Haven't had any trouble with cheaper Amazon resin if you do those things

[@warifx9857]

thanks man

[@notsorry3631]

Try Pixiss resin. It does have some bubbles but most of them pop on their own and the rest you can get rid of with a lighter, torch or heat tool. The best thing about Pixiss is it doesn yellow after time.

[@InsectHunter]

I will have to look into that. Thanks!

[@franciscocruz4320]

What molds do you use

[@user-ky3pd5zg4b]

Is there any possible way to get insects off the resin without damaging?

[@cannerainer]

I've read on some forums that sometimes the fixer will cause the bugs to heat up too fast and burn them. Have you had an experience like this? I have a black widow that I happened upon as she was dying and put her in alcohol immediately. She's in perfect condition. I also noticed her hourglass faded to white in the alcohol. Do you think if I colored it back in with a red sharpie it would stay? Do you have any thoughts on this? I also found a perfectly preserved dragonfly in my car and wanted to set it for my mother-in-law who loves them. I was concerned about how delicate the wings are. Have you tried one and been successful?

[@Indydi]

Everybody does those big hard shelled beetles, probably the easiest kind of bug to cast. The softer ones he showed at the end didn't look so hot. I have a jumping spider I want to cast. Not much info on those.

[@British_Bastard]

I think you can get bubbles out of resin with heat

[@Dooncat]

very nice and decent introdution and explanation, keep sub and like pal

[@TopFurret]

Thank you for this. My pet wolf spider recently passed and I want to preserve his memory like this

[@YerroPhunder]

art n glow is epoxy resin right? if it has long open time, u can mix super slowly untill all the resin is properly mixed and then pour as low as possible and slowly as possible. I've heard many people spend upwards of 5 mins depending on the size of the insect. epoxy resin has its advantages, its usually a lot less brittle than polyester and the cure time can be a lot longer so it easier adjust things, it also wont have the uneven finish on the outside(although that wont matter if u are going to sand and polish).

[@YerroPhunder]

U can also build a vacuum chamber from an ac unit, polycarbonate panel, and a pressure pot( u can use the one for cooking) if u like polyester, u can soak the insects in resin without hardener and then put in vacuum, if u like epoxy u can use long open time (preferably more than 45 mins) and do same with vacuum. this will result in a better adhesion between insect and resin, and removes most of the air from the inside of the insect. vacuum also helps with removing the bubbles from resin.

[@YerroPhunder]

u can also go all the way and buy a pressure chamber which will reduce any bubbles left in to microscopic size.

[@bluepablo5060]

I have a question! I found a crab claw on the beach and was wondering if you could put the claw in resin.

[@InsectHunter]

Yes definitely

[@ClioMako]

Should mantids be gutted first? My female Hierodula died yesterday, and I would like to pin her, but I am worried about the abdomen rotting. What would you advise me to do?

[@clognog8049]

I believe there are videos you can look up on how to taxidermy big insects and spiders.

[@myrmecofourmis]

I always have issues on the long run with the insect shrinking, and ending up with a shiny air layer around the insect. Any advice?

[@InsectHunter]

Hm.... that depends on the type of species. If they are shrinking you can cut open their abdomen and then stuff it with cotton. This is a complicated process and something I don't do because it is way too much work in my opinion. Do they shrink inside of the resin?

[@sjogro]

Possibly not dry enough. One way to help dry out the intestines of larger bugs is by injecting their gut with near pure alcohol. Just a little shot with a needle syringe, repeat for a few days. Also helps against smells. The alcohol will dissolve and sterilize the soft stuff and damp quickly.

[@kobod]

Do you need to clean the insect before you cast it? I found a dead bee in my garden and would like to cast it.

[@clognog8049]

just dry them out good first

[@Yz77650]

Hey, im interested in collecting dead insects but i didnt know how to identify their name if you could know please tell me tq

[@Uzumaki_editz0]

I know im too late but when u put the risen do u put a small layer first and let it dry a bit before putting the insect on it so it could be settled in the right way on the risen or do i just put it directly i hope someone answer and thanks

[@InsectHunter]

You put a small first layer and let it dry to some degree to prevent the insect from sinking to the bottom and breaking the seal. Depending on the temperature/humidity it could be between 20-40 minutes. I would put the insect on once it starts to congeal to some degree becoming like gelatin in texture vs pure liquid.

[@Uzumaki_editz0]

@@InsectHunter thanks

[@samanghotbi4414]

Sorry i have a question . We need to mixed our epoxy resin with another matter or Just based resin without anything ???

[@InsectHunter]

I only used resin and the hardening agent as described. Nothing else.

[@mleannz]

Can you immediately cast one that is dead without drying it for days? Will it rot/decay in the resin?

[@clognog8049]

things will go bad if you dont dry them first.

[@neondesertrye]

Me heading off to add a vent hood to my wishlist for crafting. 😅

[@SethDarr]

Great video! I've been thinking about doing this with an interesting beetle that I found dead in the backyard, and this is a perfect reference! One question- what are the risks of any particular bug rotting in the resin? Is it important to prep the insect first? Thanks!

[@dutchflyfisher]

Hello there, I love your vids. Can you tell me how to prepare water insects? Put them in a jar with water,..or,...alcohol? Can I put water insects in resin as well? Look at my site, there are movies with water insects. Greetings to you from The Netherlands.

[@clognog8049]

most water beetles and bugs are pretty much the same in terms of pinning. Or you could put them in alcohol as well.

[@siekkurracs8697]

Hi can you please share what type of resin you are using thank you!🥰

[@clognog8049]

I think he did actually.

[@siekkurracs8697]

@@clognog8049 thank you

[@wildlifecohen1048]

Insects🪲and arachnids🕷are my favourite group of animals and I’m so happy I found your channel.and yes you better put the dead cockroach🪳up high away from kids.

[@corinnewitzel1240]

I can’t find TAP Clear Lite resin to buy. Suggestions?

[@corinnewitzel1240]

Nevermind! Found it on their company website. Does everyone agree with this resin choice?

[@crab6334]

This resin seems way easier to use, I usually have trouble mixing part A and part B in perfect amounts with my own art resin.

[@InsectHunter]

With this one you only add a specific number of drops based on amount and size.

[@connerterry4882]

@InsectHunter Where can I get some Atles Beatles

[@prakashbhai-fl9dg]

How about a bracelet (girls wear in their hand) and it got fly inside when molding . ??

[@InsectHunter]

That's definitely a possibility.

[@Traffic_Cone64]

“MICHEAL! DON’T LEAVE ME HERE! MICHEAL, MICHEAAAL, HELP MEE!”

[@Backrooms.Partypooper.]

Insect hunter how would you perverse a lacewing?

[@Backrooms.Partypooper.]

And pin

[@Hoodini2253]

What’s the name of the intro song

[@billycoxiii4365]

Do you have a link for the resin?

[@InsectHunter]

www.tapplastics.com/product/mold_making_materials/casting_products/tap_clear_lite_casting_resin/75 This is what I used, but other products are available that probably work fine too.

[@IndianJimmy1]

I have some insects that were fused in resin just like that. But they are all from SE Asia so I guess its pretty cool

[@InsectHunter]

Yeah just trying to show folks how to do it for a variety of insects.

[@IndianJimmy1]

Good to hear

[@rastabasta666]

Thanks I have a huge wasp I wanted to put in a resin block.

[@JemiQui77]

Lol you mixed the art n glow fast didn't ya 🤣 slooooowwww dooowwwnnnn

[@jesuslover5968]

So you literally killed the bug it in alcohol ? I’m asking so I know what to do . I just drown the bug in alcohol ?

[@clognog8049]

Alcohol can kill them very fast

[@linusbyberg9601]

Intro song !

[@maggieblount5251]

Why the music!?! Are you at U of I?

[@InsectHunter]

Yes I am an employee of the University of Idaho, but work in a remote office.

[@RandomizedRandom]

i found an extremely QUICK way to like 'semi' preserve an insect: inject alcohol from it's abdomen hole (or butthole) until it secretes alcohol from it's mouth (that means the alcohol is spread out) and then just put the outside skin on alcohol for like 3 to 4 mins and then, let it dry. after it's dry, oven it on an extremely low heat with a water container on the side, when the water on the side started to simmer which indicate 80+ degree celcius, that means it's hot enough to kill all of the bacteria on the insect. and, because it's heated very slowly my speciment (batocera parryi) don't even change color

[@blooky102]

Who else came here because in their childhood they collected the real life bugs and insects magazines with new bug/insect/arachnid each week, and then wanted to make it at home?

[@teddybear1395]

What about praying mantids???

[@clognog8049]

Sure it would work for them as well.

[@gontagokuhara245]

Gonta like bug

[@Model_BT-7274]

My pet rhino beetle recently died and I want to honor him this way. Hopefully all goes well

[@clognog8049]

cool one of my insects made it on the wall :D

[@b04n]

Im the 10th commenter

[@cattfishing]

That resin with the bubbles is awful. It can be clear, but you have to be perfect in ratios 1:1 to get it to turn out ok. It's too much of a pain to deal with tho because too many other factors dictate how clear it turns out. One thing I do to be able to harden the insect in place is to use some cyanoacrylate glue to glue it down to the mold. Or more recently I will use the glue in place of pins, glue it in position, then take uv hardening resin to lightly coat the insect and instantly harden it in place under uv light or sunlight. Then, when you pour the resin over, it gets every nook and cranny without bubbles getting stuck in the tiny hairs or under wings. It's been a true game changer in how the cast insects turned out and my daughter has been able to do her own as well. The uv resin doesnt put off the same toxic fumes either and has been rated safe for use. It's used for doing nails as well. Although I know there are many uv resins that have slightly different chemical compounds. The ones we started with were both uv nail gels, and uv crafting resin.

[@InsectHunter]

If you ever have made a video that shows how to do that I would love to watch it.

[@tsaltslinger3268]

Dude....you could resin that caterpillar , leaf and parasites

[@yurei1442]

Rip

[@pmguts3545]

.

[@infinitecanadian]

How about you just leave them alone rather than killing them for your own gratification?

[@clognog8049]

It's for teaching

[@infinitecanadian]

@@clognog8049 It's wrong just the same.

[@infinitecanadian]

@@clognog8049 It is; people should not let their cats outside where they can do damage to the environment and possibly even end up dead themselves.

[@clognog8049]

@@infinitecanadian wild cats you silly lad

[@infinitecanadian]

@@clognog8049 Cats are not part of the ecosystem. They exist because of selective breeding.

[@nativewildman9335]

Do you have an email address that I can send a video of an Insect it's a type of beetle?

[@InsectHunter]

[e-mail]