Pinning Riker Mount Specimens- part 2

[@sooth15]

Have you ever thought of doing a collection tour? I think we've only ever seen the occasional display boxes every once in a while. Your specimens are gorgeous!

[@deomapile1721]

Yahhhhh, I definitely agree with you!

[@insectsafari]

Thank you, I will be doing this. My plan is to use the collection to illustrate different biological principals as a classroom instruction. I have about 90 drawers of specimens.

[@saturniidmoff]

It’s cool he has a Actias chapae specimen

[@insectsafari]

Captive raised specimens are just starting to be available now in the USA.

[@neonx6568]

What sp. is that one in the bottom left corner at 6:55?

[@insectsafari]

That's a Heteropteryx dilitata female. The male is top center in the box with red wings.

[@bearriver6952]

What’s the name of the big Luna moth in the middle

[@insectsafari]

Argema mittrei from Madagascar. They are pretty easy to get and not too expensive.

[@soupay7630]

where can I buy moth mounting boards?

[@insectsafari]

There are several sources for entomology supplies but everyone I know gets them from BioQuip in California. I find that the adjustable boards work best since you can set them to the width of the body of the specimen.

[@user-yt5sk7sk6o]

Awesome pinning fellow pinner

[@saturniidmoff]

Dang it I want Ed to be the first person on KZbin to show Actias rhodopeuma

[@Passiekassie]

What width of groove for a spreading board would you suggest to someone wanting to get into this hobby? Looking into butterflies mostly

[@insectsafari]

I would suggest getting an adjustable board. They are a little more expensive but worth it to give each specimen the best attention.

[@bassmatyas6094]

And how do you catch these butterflies and kill them?

[@insectsafari]

The moth in this video was captive raised, as I said in the video. Others I catch myself. Butterflies are caught with a net and moths are caught at night with a light that attracts them. I believe that freezing them is the most humane way to kill them but this is not usually practical in the field so they can also be injected with alcohol which kills them instantly.

[@potterninja7]

What do you do with your old specimens once you replace them?

[@insectsafari]

I give them to collector friends who don't have one.