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Post by manticora on Mar 2, 2014 3:29:16 GMT -8
Peter,
Thanks for the link.
I make one next weekend.
Harry
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Post by Adam Cotton on Mar 2, 2014 7:41:30 GMT -8
The process of mounting insects is one of the chores a collector should be able to master, and it can be accomplished with good equipment and large dose of patience. I would hardly call mounting specimens a 'chore', it is a very interesting and informative part of collecting. I get a good chance to look at the specimens and notice subtle differences as I spread my butterflies. With regard to drying the specimens on the spreading boards, when I designed my house I included solar hot water panels on the roof, with the hot water tank in the attic. Insulated copper pipes take the hot water from the solar panels down to the hot water tank, and on the way they pass through a purpose built drying cupboard. The pipes bend back and forth inside the cupboard near the bottom, and of course there is no insulation covering the pipes within the cupboard, so the heat rises from the pipes and dries my specimens on the shelves above. Adam. |
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Post by beetlehorn on Mar 2, 2014 8:17:25 GMT -8
I agree Adam, I suppose I should have used a different term for the process of mounting. Some chores can be pleasant, so it all depends on how one views the task at hand. I actually derive a degree of pleasure from mounting insects, especially when I spread some lovely species the first time and behold the wonderful patterns we all admire so much. In regards to the solar panels you mentioned, I too am planning on going solar for my home, (At the risk of sounding somewhat pragmatic), I am tired of the high energy cost, and propane for heating has become rather expensive as well. That is a smart idea on your behalf using the rising heat to dry your specimens. I have never tried any kind of heating device for my specimens. I have always been somewhat afraid of an overheating accident, so I just let them air dry at room temperature. In the case of rising heat that stays at a consistent temp, I would be willing to try. Thanks for the link Nomad, I remember seeing this years ago when I got back into collecting. I don't see any of their ads anymore, I wonder whatever happened to The Insect Company?
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Post by lordpandarus on Mar 2, 2014 10:55:31 GMT -8
I don't enjoy setting expensive or rare butterflies. I just want it over with with no accidents
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2014 11:20:45 GMT -8
"I don't enjoy setting expensive or rare butterflies. I just want it over with with no accidents"
me too Lord P, when I have set rare/expensive stuff the only emotion I have is relief that there were no accidents, I do find setting specimens en mass a bit of a chore as I have difficulty concentrating for long periods these days.
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evra
Full Member
Posts: 230
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Post by evra on Mar 2, 2014 14:36:54 GMT -8
You've got to be careful when using an oven. Anything that is prone to greasing is more likely to start in the oven. It's generally not a problem for most butterflies because they generally aren't prone to greasing, although a few genera, like Morphos and Speyeria can be a problem. With moths it is much more of a problem. Saturniids, especially males, Cossids, and Noctuids in the subfamilies Amphipyrinae, Stiriinae, Heliothinae, and Grotellini are prone to greasing. Also any moths with green pigments can fade if you heat them in an oven.
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Post by exoticimports on Mar 3, 2014 8:03:21 GMT -8
We discussed the amount of drying time some years back, I wonder where that thread went?
Drying time is very much related to humidity. Here were I live winter humidity is about 45% (though I keep the house about 55%) and specimens will dry in a week. In summer, humidity runs 65% plus, and drying time may be up to three weeks.
One thing I've noticed is static on the glass tops. Of course, the static is worse when the humidity is low. I've had the static charge pull up wings, and in some cases- such as Ornithoptera and Actias-types, pull up the wind edges and tails. This happens over time, so it doesn't appear to be affected by the dry time; it's just that the wing edges are thin and weak, and prone to being attracted to the glass. My solution has been to wipe the inside of the glass with Windex, eliminating the static charge.
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