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Chapter -6 Insect Collection and Preservation

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 Advances
in
Agricultural Entomology
Volume - 15

Chief Editor
Dr. Karem Ghoneim
Professor of Entomology, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt

AkiNik Publications
New Delhi
 Chapter - 6
Insect Collection and Preservation Techniques

Authors
Rajendra Kumar
Assistant Professor, Agriculture Entomology, MBDDSMKM,
Siswali, Baran, Rajasthan, India
Sakshi Saksena
Ph.D. Scholar, College of Agriculture, RVSKVV, Gwalior,
Madhya Pradesh, India

Page | 105
 Chapter - 6
Insect Collection and Preservation Techniques
Rajendra Kumar and Sakshi Saksena

Abstract
Spiders, mites, and insects are found in every terrestrial ecosystem on
the world and play an important part in biotic community evolution and
maintenance. They are the major pollinators of flowering plants, significant
consumers and recyclers of decomposing organic materials, and essential
components of vertebrate and invertebrate food webs. For these and other
reasons, the study of insects and their relatives is becoming increasingly
important as society faces greater challenges in preserving and improving
environmental quality, reducing pesticide consumption, increasing crop
production, controlling food costs and increasing worldwide trade. The
methods of collecting insects and mites are determined by the ultimate goal
of the samples collected. For example, some people collect insects as a
hobby for their beauty and diversity, while others collect them for classes in
biology or entomology.
Keywords: collection, preservation, insect, killing jar, insect traps
Introduction
Insects, spiders, mites and their relatives make up the Arthropoda
phylum, which is without a doubt the most successful category of organisms
on the planet. Insects alone are responsible for 55% of all species known to
science. (Barrowclough 1992).
Many insects and mites are easiest to observe in their natural habitats,
while smaller species and those that are extremely difficult to collect for
identification will first need to be preserved. In order to identify insects or
mites correctly, specimens must be kept in perfect condition. With the aid of
a hand lens or microscope, minute details of the insect or mite's anatomy can
usually be examined. Increased knowledge of pest species could save lives
and money by reducing the damage caused by these organisms. An
organism's scientific name provides the most comprehensive picture of its
morphology, behavior, and life history, as well as its potential threat to

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human welfare. Accurate identification of newly detected pests or diseases is
crucial for safeguarding public health.
Objectives
 Extensive analysis of pest species has the potential to save lives and
money due to damage pests create.
 The scientific name of an organism is the key to all known
information about its morphology, behavior, and life history, as
well as its potential threat to human welfare. Correct identification
of a newly discovered pest or disease vector is important.
Collecting methods and required equipments
The tools needed to put together a general insect or mite collection don't
have to be complex or expensive. A collecting net and many killing bottles
will enough in just about all circumstances; however, additional equipment
will allow for more successful sampling of a specialized fauna. A man who
collects insects can carry a handbag or wear a vest to store their collection of
insects. (Arnett, 1985; Banks et al. 1981; Bland & Jacques 1978; Upton,
1991).
The following items usually are included in the general collector’s bag:
1) Insect Collecting Net.
2) Insect Killing Bottle/Jar of various sizes.
3) Forceps Fine, lightweight forceps.
4) Vials containing alcohol or other preservatives.
5) Small boxes for preserving specimens after taken out from the
killing bottles.
6) One or more aspirators, as well as absorbent tissue, to destroy
bottles and aspirators.
7) Notebook and writing equipment for quick data.
8) A pair of scissors and a sturdy knife for opening galls, seed pods,
and twigs.
9) Picking up minute specimens with a small, fine brush (camel's hair
is preferable).
10) A hand lens.
11) A flashlight or headlamp for nocturnal insect.
12) Insect traps-light trap, sticky trap, pheromone trap etc.
13) Precautions kit and first aid kit.

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 Fig 1: Basic Equipments for Insect Fig 2: An Aspirator for
Collection and Preservation Minute Insect Collection

Fig 3: Insect Collection Box Bottles Fig 4: Insect Killing

Fig 5: Insect Collection Net Fig 6: Insect Spreading Board

Fig 7: Insect Pins Fig 8: Pinning Equipment

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 Light Trap Dig Pit Fall Trap Pheromone Trap Oil/Water Trap

Fig 9: Fulfill Box with Collection of Insect

Use of equipments
Insect collecting net
Aerial, sweeping, and aquatic collecting nets are the three most common
types. The size and shape of the Net can be personalized to the user's
demands, the type of collection desired, and the material available, which
does not have to be expensive.
Many different insects and mites can be trapped by sweeping the net
through vegetation, along the sand and seaweed on beaches, or up and down
tree trunks. Although the aerial net can be used in this manner, the more
substantial sweeping net is preferred for this type of use. After sweeping
with the net, a forceful swing will bring anything in the bag to the bottom,
and the catch will be secured to a small section of the bag by instantly
gripping the centre of the net with the free hand. Examples: Moths, Butterfly,
Dragonfly, Wasps etc. (Dresner 1970; Rogers & Smith 1977; Noyes, 1982).
Nets can be affixed to the ends of beams that are rotated around their
mid length by a motor drive for specialized collecting. Nets can also be made
to tow or be installed on vehicles. (Peck and Cook 1992; Almand et al.
1974).

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Hand-picking method
Insects are hand-picked and placed in containers. Large insects such as
beetles, bugs, and grasshoppers are suited for this procedure. It's a time-
consuming process. Some insects that inflict painful bites and stings are not
suitable for this procedure.
Insect collection traps
A trap is defined as anything that impedes or prevents an organism's
development, this topic is broad, encompassing devices that utilize or don't
use baits, lures, or other attractants. (Martin 1977; Peterson 1964;
Southwood 1979).
Different types of traps used for collecting the different insect-
Light trap - Positively Phototaxis Insect
Food lure trap - Flies
Sticky trap - Aphids and Whiteflies
Water trap - Brown Plant Hopper
Suction trap - Whiteflies
Sex lure - Moths
Killing jars or bottles
In ability to properly mount and study insects and related groups, it is
typically necessary to kill the specimens. The killing jar is the most
extensively used method for killing collected specimens. Any substantial,
wide-mouthed glass jar or bottles with a tight-fitting stopper or metal screw
top with a tight-fitting stopper or metal screw top can be adopted. Any of a
range of liquids or solids can be employed as a killing agent.
Liquid killing agents
Ethyl acetate, diethyl ether, chloroform, and ammonia water are
examples of liquid killer agents. The most common type of acetate is ethyl
acetate. These compounds are all extremely toxic and volatile, and should
never be used near a fire. They should be used by children under the
supervision of an adult. *Do not test this by sniffing the open jar.
Solid killing agents
The cyanides potassium cyanide, sodium cyanide, or calcium cyanide
are the most common solid killing agents included in killing jars. All
cyanides should be handled with extreme caution. They are poisonous, fast-

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acting toxins for which there is no known antidote. If even a single grain
comes into contact with the skin, wash it with water right away. To avoid
any accident store or dispose cyanide in a safe manner. (Banks et al. 1981;
Clark & Blom 1979; Frost 1958; Lindroth 1957; Pennington 1967; White
1964).
Aspirators and suction devices
The aspirator, sometimes known as a “pooter” in England, is a simple
and effective tool for gathering microscopic insects and mites. (Azrang
1976; Barnard & Mulla 1977).
Insect spreading board
This is a low-cost, firm-density polystyrene board (equal to hard, closed-
cell Styrofoam) for spreading insect wings before mounting them. It's perfect
for spreading and drying butterfly wings.
Insect pinning
The preferred way to display and study adult insects is to pin them into
display boxes using special insect pins. The pins are pushed through the
thorax of the insects while they are still fresh and the legs and antennae are
placed in a natural position. This allows the specimens to be handled and
studied without damaging them.
Insect pins vary in size from 000 to number 8 (Fig-7). The diameter of
the latter is the largest. For the amateur collector, numbers 2 and 3 are
usually the best options. Pin the insect slightly to the right side of the middle
and down through the area where the middle pair of legs are attached is a
reasonable guideline. Styrofoam makes a wonderful basis for situating the
legs so that they dry properly. (Fig 11).

Fig 11: Pinning Methods in Different type of Insect and their Order

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Insect collection box
Insect collections should be housed in an insect collection box,
especially made for housing insects. But these can be expensive, and not
always beginner-friendly. A cardboard box, with a lid, and a soft or poly
foam bottom will do the job just as well as a collection box. (Fig-09).
After insects have been properly pinned and labeled, they are kept in
specially designed insect boxes constructed with soft flooring into which
pins can be inserted. Pinned insects cannot be preserved in excellent
condition for long periods of time unless they are protected from dust and
damage by being placed in boxes. (Dawson 1992; Furth 1995; Kosztarab
1966; Strang 1992).
Mounting and Labeling specimens
Specimens are mounted so that they're being handled and analyzed as
easily as possible while sustaining the least harm. The value of a collection is
enhanced by well-mounted specimens, and the quality of specimens for
research is largely determined by how well they are prepared. (Weaver &
White 1980).
By using your pinning block, you can also properly space the labels that
go on the pin (beneath the insect specimen). (Fig. 12) The label nearest the
insect gives the common name. The second label gives the scientific name.
All labels should be of uniform size, white in color, and the information type
written or printed neatly as follows:
Common name: Pod Borer
Scientific name: Helicoverpa spp.
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Noctuidae
Place of collection: ARS Farm
Date of collection: 21/07/2021
Name of collector: Rajendra Kumar
Pinning small insects
Many of the smaller insects cannot be pinned directly through the body
with regular insect pins. These should be mounted on card points (Fig. 13).
Card points are slender triangles of paper. These triangles are pinned through
the broad end with a regular insect pin and the insect is glued to the narrow
point. (Peterson et al. 1961; Landry and Landry 1994) Card points may be
obtained by writing to Extension Entomologist, Kansas State University.

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Preserving soft-bodied insects
Some species of insects (such as aphids and lice) cannot be preserved
well by pinning. These insects should be preserved by placing them directly
into a preserving fluid. Seventy percent ethyl alcohol is generally used
rubbing alcohol is also acceptable. (Lindroth 1957) Small vials or bottles are
used for this purpose. Fasten the vials containing the immature insects in the
collecting box with scotch tape and a pin with labels placed in the cork. (Fig
14).
For insects and arthropods, the best long-term and short-term
preservation strategies vary between orders. Below is a general list of
preservation types.
Adult: Impermanent Adult: Permanent Immature
Order
Preservation Preservation Preservation
Arachnids 80% Ethanol 80% Ethanol 80% Ethanol
Protura 80% Ethanol 80% Ethanol 80% Ethanol
Collembola 80% Ethanol 80% Ethanol 80% Ethanol
Diplura 80% Ethanol 80% Ethanol 80% Ethanol
Microcoryphia 80% Ethanol 80% Ethanol 80% Ethanol
Thysanura 80% Ethanol 80% Ethanol 80% Ethanol
Ephemeroptera 80% Ethanol 80% Ethanol 80% Ethanol
Isoptera 80% Ethanol 80% Ethanol 80% Ethanol
Plecoptera 80% Ethanol 80% Ethanol 80% Ethanol
Embiidina 80% Ethanol 80% Ethanol 80% Ethanol
Zoraptera 80% Ethanol 80% Ethanol 80% Ethanol
Dry, killing bottle;
Grylloblattodea 80% Ethanol 80% Ethanol
80% Ethanol
Odonata Dry, killing bottle Pinned or Enveloped 80% Ethanol
Phasmatodea Dry, killing bottle Pinned 80% Ethanol
Mantodea Dry, killing bottle Pinned 80% Ethanol
Blattodea Dry, kill jar; 80% Ethanol Pinned 80% Ethanol
Isoptera 80% Ethanol 80% Ethanol 80% Ethanol
Plecoptera 80% Ethanol 80% Ethanol 80% Ethanol
Dry, killing bottle;
Dermaptera Pinned 80% Ethanol
80% Ethanol
Dry, killing bottle;
Hemiptera Pin, 80% Ethanol; slide 80% Ethanol
80% Ethanol
Thysanoptera 80% Ethanol 80% Ethanol; slide 80% Ethanol
Psocoptera 80% Ethanol 80% Ethanol; slide 80% Ethanol
Phthiraptera 80% Ethanol 80% Ethanol; slide 80% Ethanol

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 Dry, killing bottle;
Hymenoptera Pinned 80% Ethanol
80% Ethanol
Dry, killing bottle;
Neuropterida Pinned; 80% Ethanol 80% Ethanol
80% Ethanol
Dry, killing bottle;
Strepsiptera Pinned; 80% Ethanol 80% Ethanol
80% Ethanol
Dry, killing bottle;
Coleoptera Pinned 80% Ethanol
80% Ethanol
Lepidoptera Dry, killing bottle Pinned 80% Ethanol
Dry, killing bottle;
Trichoptera 80% Ethanol; Pinned 80% Ethanol
80% Ethanol
Siphonaptera 80% Ethanol 80% Ethanol; slide 80% Ethanol
Dry, killing bottle;
Mecoptera Pinned; 80% Ethanol 80% Ethanol
80% Ethanol
Dry, killing bottle;
Diptera Pinned 80% Ethanol
80% Ethanol

Fig 12: Illustration of labels on pin Fig 13: Pinning Small Insects

Fig 14: A Liquid Preserving Soft-Bodied Insects

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