How to Pin an Insect Collection

• 1

  Pin your insects promptly. Take time to pin the insects the same day you collect them so that their bodies will not become brittle and break during the pinning process. If you cannot pin your insects the same day, put them in a relaxing jar before attempting to pin them.

• 2

  Consult a diagram to determine the best positioning for the pin: http://entomology.unl.edu/tmh/ent115/labs/COLLECTING_files/image034.jpg. As a general rule, pin insects near the center of the body, slightly to the right of the midline of the body.

• 3

  Place the insect on the middle step of the pinning block, lining it up over the hole so that the pin will go through the right place. If you do not have a pinning block, you may use Styrofoam or cardboard instead. However, a pinning block is recommended to achieve uniform height and proper angling.
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• 4

  Press an insect pin carefully through the proper place in the insect̵7;s body. Push the pin down as far as the pinning block will allow.

• 5

  Lift the insect off the block and examine its positioning on the pin. Look at it from the front and the side to make sure the insect is not tilted from either direction. If it is, gently slide the pin out and readjust.

• 6

  Turn the insect upside down and use the lowest step of the pinning block to place the insect at the proper height

• 7

  Position the insect in an airtight display case (Schmidt boxes are a good choice). You may want to save your pinned insects in a cigar box lined with corkboard until you are ready to display them.

Additional Instructions for Butterflies and Moths

• 8

  Cut several thin paper strips. Set them aside to use in a few minutes.

• 9

  Hold the butterfly or moth in one hand and stick a pin through the center of the thorax. Check the insect to make sure it is not tilted on the pin.

• 10

  Press the insect's pin into the center of your spreading board so that the wings are level with the wood on each side.

• 11

  Force the wings apart, using one or two of the paper strips. Pin the top and bottom of the paper strips to the spreading board, so that the insect's wings are attractively spread apart. Pin only the paper, not the wings.

• 12

  Leave the insect in this position for several days. Then it will be ready to add to the rest of your collection.