1. Specimen Preparation
Bio 498/698

2. Outline Proper handling procedures
Drawers
Removing Labels
Different Stands/Shots (Dry Mounted Specimens)
Dorsal
Ventral
Lateral
Head
Cleaning Coleoptera

3. Proper Handling Procedures: Drawers
When taking the lid off of a drawer, always slide it underneath
Drawer

4. Proper Handling Procedures: Drawers
Remove the specimen(s) you are working with

5. Proper Handling Procedures: Drawers
When you are not using the drawer, always put the lid back on. (This will keep specimens clean)
Make sure that lid is on all the way

6. Proper Handling Procedures: Removing Labels
Specimen
Pinning block
Forceps
Place specimen on pinning block

7. Proper Handling Procedures: Removing Labels
Squeeze forceps above the label(s)
Pull down to remove labels

8. Proper Handling Procedures: Removing Labels
Always place labels back into unit tray
Always keep specimen and labels together

9. Different Stands/Shots: Dry Mounted Specimens
Lateral & Head
Dorsal
Ventral

10. Dorsal
Dorsal Stands
One 18% grey paper
Glass slide
Wax

11. Ventral Ventral stands Stick the top of the pin through the wax
Glass slide
Wax
Stick the top of the pin through the wax
Ventral mostly used for Lepidoptera

12. Lateral Lateral Stands Stick the pin into the stand
Try to reuse previous holes to prolong stand use

13. Head Head stands Same as Lateral stands
Stick pin through stand with specimen head facing up

14. Cleaning Coleoptera: Equipment
Specimen
Pliers
70% EtOH

15. Cleaning Coleoptera: How to hold the pin
Correct
Wrong
Pliers clamped around the pin at an angle
Clamping around the pin at a completely perpendicular angle gives the pin a chance to slip through the teeth of the pliers, posing a risk of dropping the specimen.
Pliers clamped around the pin perpendicular

16. Cleaning Coleoptera
Note: when not using the EtOH, cover the container to make it last longer – it will evaporate quickly.
Hold the specimen under the EtOH and swish it around

17. Cleaning Coleoptera
After cleaning, let specimen dry before imaging. EtOH doesn’t take too long to evaporate; give it a few minutes.