Comet Moth Mounting - part 3

[@gabrielbarile73]

Thanks for sharing, great technique. Best wishes from Argentina

[@insectsafari]

Thank you, I'm happy that you enjoyed the video.

[@fernandoalberto8351]

I love the videos but My favorite parte is always when You put a finished specimens on the collection... Thanks for Sharing...

[@insectsafari]

Yeah, that's my favorite part too. I will be making videos showing the collection soon.

[@fernandoalberto8351]

@@insectsafari it's must be impressive by know, I'll look forward to seeing them...

[@insectsafari]

@@fernandoalberto8351 I have about 100 drawers.

[@fernandoalberto8351]

@@insectsafari we're can I contact You? I'm the owner of a small natural history museum/plant collection and vivarium...

[@fernandoalberto8351]

And I Will love you to see it...

[@Crispy_Bee]

I love your videos, it's good to see people put work into preserving and restoring those specimens! The results are really fantastic! Regarding the antenna: have you thought about using a stereo microscope for such precise stuff? I've recently bought one and it's a huge help with very fine work. EDIT: also, would a UV-blocking glass help against fading? Or does it just happen over time?

[@insectsafari]

I'm glad you enjoy the videos. Are you thinking of a wearable microscope, like magnifying glasses? I can still see well enough for now. I do have a big articulated magnifying lens that I could use if I needed it. There is UV blocking glass available but it's expensive. It's used for small wall hangings sometimes but not practical for the large coverings of my teaching collection.

[@Crispy_Bee]

@insectsafari I was thinking about an actual stereo microscope - they are really handy when it comes to delicate work, even if your eyesight it perfect. Though I should add that I'm working with much smaller insects, crystals and so on (sometimes only a few mm in total length). But I can tell your that it makes for a great teaching device too, people are fascinated when they can look a moth directly into their eyes and marvel at the scales on a wing in 3d. Regarding the UV glass - that makes sense, especially with many display boxes it'll quickly add up.

[@insectsafari]

@@Crispy_Bee I do have a vintage 1930 stereo microscope that I restored and it works great! I do sometimes set it up at an event with a tiny butterfly, metallic weevil or cuckoo wasp.

[@raychelcaliber4941]

I've heard that there's a certain species of moths that use echolocation-and upon hearing the sound of jingling car keys they instinctively do a backflip. These moths are so beautiful, I didn't know that moths could be this pretty! I live in Central valley California, do you know of any specific species I might be able to find in my location?

[@insectsafari]

It's not the moths that use echolocation, it's that they can hear the echolocation of bats and dive down to avoid being captured. Yes, there are many very beautiful moths and some of them do live in your area. The larva of each species eats only certain leaves so where exactly they are found can be very specific. They may only be found near a pond or stream or at the top of a large hill but not the bottom. You have to do a bit of research to know where to look. Most fly at night but often at specific times, between midnight and 3AM for example. There are lights designed to attract them so you can set up a trap to bring them in. That's how collectors get them. You might also find the caterpillars and raise them at home but you have to have the right leaves to feed them. It's an interesting hobby and a lot of people do it and know the tricks to succeed. In your area you might find large polyphemus moths or species in the genus Hemileuca or Automeris. They are very pretty.

[@Fish4lifeNature]

Man you are impressive! When I pinned my female comet moth her abdomen seemed to have practically dissolved during the relaxation process. It turned out ok though cause I just pinned her without the abdomen. I have a riker mount Actias dubernardi specimen I am thinking about trying to pin but it has really bad grease in its thorax and even onto its wings. Do you recommend using the same method of pouring acetone over the thorax to fix this?

[@Fish4lifeNature]

Also, I would love to see a video or video series of your entire collection. That would be sweet!

[@insectsafari]

To de-grease the dubernardi I would get a metal or glass tray large enough for the specimen and soak the whole thing upside down in acetone.

[@insectsafari]

@@Fish4lifeNature I plan to make a series of videos of the whole collection. I have about a hundred drawers.

[@Fish4lifeNature]

@@insectsafari I will try that. Thanks!

[@insectilluminatigetshrekt5574]

Are you gonna show your whole collection?

[@insectsafari]

Eventually. I have about a hundred drawers so it's too much for one video. I can make a series of videos showing one order at a time.

[@insectilluminatigetshrekt5574]

@@insectsafari That would be great.

[@marthalawson350]

I hope it was already not of the world before you did this

[@entomolojosh]

Yes, it would have been dead beforehand as pinning a live insect would be impossible and more importantly cruel