relaxing Chrisididae stored in ethanol
Posted: 01 Mar 2012 15:24
Hello,
I'm new to this forum and although a little bit related to Cosmins topic about preparation here my question.
Over several years now I collected Chrysididae in Belgium, mainly the Flemish part. As collecting methods I used colored pan-traps, malaise-traps and collecting by hand-held net. Specimens collected by hand-held net where killed with ethyl-acetate vapor and where pinned shortly after.
My question is especially related to the specimens collected in pan-traps and malaise traps who were stored in ethanol. For identification I want to pin or glue them on labels. My problem is that I can't find a method to relax these specimens enough to readjust their wings, jaws and extract the female ovipositor. So far I've tried 4 methods: 1) put them in water for 24-36 hours; 2) left them in a humidificator for 24-36 hours; 3) put them in the freezer for some days and 4) left them in Cellosolve (2-ethoxyethanol) for 24-48 hours and followed by 1-2 hours in Histo-Clear II.
In all cases the specimens wings, jaws and female ovipositor where not relaxed enough to readjust them and glue the specimen nicely arranged on a transparent label.
Can anyone give me some advice on relaxing Chrysididae previously stored in ethanol?
Do most of you glue or pin Chrisididae? On this website I read that glue them on transparent labels is favoured.
Many thanks!
Maarten
(Belgium)
I'm new to this forum and although a little bit related to Cosmins topic about preparation here my question.
Over several years now I collected Chrysididae in Belgium, mainly the Flemish part. As collecting methods I used colored pan-traps, malaise-traps and collecting by hand-held net. Specimens collected by hand-held net where killed with ethyl-acetate vapor and where pinned shortly after.
My question is especially related to the specimens collected in pan-traps and malaise traps who were stored in ethanol. For identification I want to pin or glue them on labels. My problem is that I can't find a method to relax these specimens enough to readjust their wings, jaws and extract the female ovipositor. So far I've tried 4 methods: 1) put them in water for 24-36 hours; 2) left them in a humidificator for 24-36 hours; 3) put them in the freezer for some days and 4) left them in Cellosolve (2-ethoxyethanol) for 24-48 hours and followed by 1-2 hours in Histo-Clear II.
In all cases the specimens wings, jaws and female ovipositor where not relaxed enough to readjust them and glue the specimen nicely arranged on a transparent label.
Can anyone give me some advice on relaxing Chrysididae previously stored in ethanol?
Do most of you glue or pin Chrisididae? On this website I read that glue them on transparent labels is favoured.
Many thanks!
Maarten
(Belgium)