JKim
New Member
Posts: 17
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Post by JKim on Mar 15, 2014 20:23:50 GMT -8
Hello All,
I have some questions.
My friend wants me to collect some Odonata and send them to him (dried, but not pinned)
How should I pack each dragonflies?
Last time, I packed each on in the zipper bags with hardboard in it to make it flat and not bent.
But all are broken at the arrival.
Does anyone have a special way of packing the Odonata?
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Post by Borja Gómez on Apr 3, 2014 18:44:48 GMT -8
Hello
When I receive odonata, it's basically in two presentations: in paper triangles like butterflies, and with cardboard with celophane stapled (like beetles and most of the insects). Personally I would recommend the second way, wich for me worked well for sending as well. In the paper triangle they got broken sometimes, thing wich didn't happen with the other method. If you collect them fresh it's good to prepare them when they are fresh so the chances of breaking are smaller, and also if you do some preparation for preserving the odonata colors (a great problem with this order. There are many methods but none of them never worked 100% prefectly for me) it's better when fresh whe they still have the vivid colours.
Regards
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Post by exoticinsects on Apr 4, 2014 9:38:33 GMT -8
Hi, I have heard it's best to paper them when they are still alive. Leave them in the paper for a day, then kill and repack them. This way they excrete the feces and the color will preserve better. Personally I prefer to pack them in paper triangles because if you pack them like beetles the head tends to get detached from the pressure of the plastic. You could also insert a very thin piece of fishing line into the abdomen to strengthen it. It should be inserted from the top of the abdomen just behind the thorax. Make a very small slit on the top and then gently push the wire inside. Never tried this technique myself though and you will need some practice  I have some specimens that are prepared this way, they don't become fragile over time plus the abdomen stays straight. Hope this helps. Best regards, Benny |
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Post by exoticimports on May 1, 2014 7:20:38 GMT -8
While live, drop them into acetone that will preserve most of the color. They will, though, become stiff.
When you pack them, lay cotton over cardboard, then the specimen, then staple plastic. This will avoid flattening.
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