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How to Make Unit Trays for Insect Collections

Entomology is the study of insects. Studying insects is not solely for researchers, but also for the everyday hobbyist collector. There are many steps and processes that go into capturing insects to preserve them either in fluid or an insect tray (see Resource 2). Once the insect is ready to be preserved in a unit tray for display, it should be inserted correctly to avoid damaging the insect and then identified. There are several ways to create your own unit tray.

Things You'll Need

Plastic open-topped tray
Wood open-topped tray
Shoebox
Foam padding
Number 3 stick pins

Instructions

- 1
  Purchase a plastic, open-topped tray and foam liner from a craft or hardware store. Lay the soft foam liner into the bottom of the tray. Carefully insert specimens using pins to attach them to the foam. Put the tray inside a drawer to preserve the collection.
- 2
  Use a shoebox to create a unit tray. Remove the lid and place it to the side. Insert a foam liner into the bottom of the shoebox. If the shoebox is deep, add several layers of foam so that the collection is displayed closer to the top of the box. Carefully insert specimens using pins to attach them to the foam. Replace the lid to securely store the collection.
- 3
  Use a shallow wooden tray to make unit trays. Add a layer of foam lining to the bottom of the tray. Carefully insert specimens using pins to attach them to the foam. Put the wooden tray inside a drawer to store the collection.

Other Collecting