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Post by ecooper on Nov 27, 2012 10:59:02 GMT -8
The other day my large European mantis died. I put the body into the freezer for the time being, but I'd like to mount the specimen and could use some advice. Given the size of her abdomen, should I eviserate and stuff the specimen with cotton before I pin it up? I'm concerned about it rotting while it dries. Thanks, EC www.macrocritters.wordpress.com |
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Post by simosg on Nov 27, 2012 12:06:40 GMT -8
You are right. When I was a child a have mounted a green Mantis, and the colour of the abdomen and the thorax has changed from green to blue. I have a book where the mounting of Mantidae could be described, but I'm not at home now.
Best regards, Hannes
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Post by lucanidae25 on Nov 27, 2012 15:06:58 GMT -8
Yes, you should gut, stuff and mount the mantis, then dry the specimen in the fridge. This will be the only way you can keep the green without it changing the colours.
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Post by ecooper on Nov 27, 2012 18:51:36 GMT -8
Excellent! Thanks for the great advice.
EC
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Post by bichos on Dec 7, 2012 21:08:56 GMT -8
When I preserve large insects like this. I slice the underside of the legs with a scalpel, this dries them out more quickly.
Remove gut content carefully but not scraping it clean as you will remove coloration.
I also dust the abdominal cavity with a mixture of boric acid powder and talc, I then pack it with cotton wool, but very loosely as this will allow it to dry before it moulds and rots.
Then you can dry them in a fridge to prevent bacterial growth as luc25 suggests or under a lamp. I do the later.
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