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How to Preserve Dead Beetles in a Box

Collecting insects, including beetles, is an inexpensive way to teach children about the insect world, which make up more than half of all animals living on earth, according to the University of Minnesota Extension. Preserving beetles -- of which there are over 250,000 known species -- inside of a box involves properly collecting, killing, pinning and labeling the insects. These actions can be performed without the need for expensive equipment.

Things You'll Need

Small net
Mason jar
Shredded paper
Acetone containing nail polish remover
Duct tape
Medical forceps
Pinning block
Entomological pins
Heavy paper
Permanent ink pen
Glass insect storage box or small cardboard box

Instructions

- 1
  Collect specimens for preservation. Check your own backyard, a local park or inside your home for beetles. Once located, capture the beetles by picking them up or catching them with a small net.
- 2
  Fill a mason jar with a 1-inch layer of shredded paper. Add 1 tbsp. acetone-containing nail polish remover into the jar. Allow the jar to stand for 30 minutes and drop the beetle inside.
- 3
  Cover the mason jar with its lid. Seal the lid with a piece of duct tape. The mason jar will provide an environment that will successfully kill the beetle, according to the University of Minnesota Extension.
- 4
  Remove the deceased beetle from the jar with a pair of medical forceps, which are available for purchase at medical supply stores or pharmacies. According to the University of Minnesota Extension, the use of forceps will prevent damage to the beetle's body.
- 5
  Set the beetle immediately onto a pinning block. Perform the pinning as soon as possible after the beetle is killed.
- 6
  Pin the beetle onto the pinning block with entomological insect pins. Place one pin through the beetle's midline near the right wing. There should be approximately 1/4 inch of the pin's head protruding from the beetle's body.
- 7
  Label the location, including city and state, the beetle was found, the day and location it was collected and the name of the person who collected the specimen. Write the information onto a piece of heavy paper using permanent ink.
- 8
  Store the collected beetle in glass insect storage box. If one is not available, a shoe box or other small cardboard box is an acceptable location for the beetle until a glass box or display case is located.

Animals & Science