insect pinning question

Preserving insect specimens effectively depends upon what type of insect you are dealing with.

Beetles, butterflies/moths and hymenoptera generally do not require anything other than keeping in a dry environment and preventing insect pests from attacking the dry specimens. Sometimes grease from the insect body will stain the wings, this can be treated using solvent.

Soft-bodied orthoptera, particularly larger specimens do need to be treated either by drying rapidly using acetone or degutting.

Caterpillars can be degutted and filled or freeze-dried. Dragonflies need to be treated with solvents in order to retain colours.

There is plenty of more detailed advice available on the net. If you want to know about specific insect types advice will also be available here.

Johnny