How to Make an Insect Storage Box

Measure the inside bottom of the cigar box. Using the measurements, trace the inside bottom of the box onto the fiberboard.

Using a utility knife, cut the fiberboard to fit the inside bottom of the cigar box.

Spread a thin layer of glue over the bottom of the cigar box. Press the fiberboard cutout firmly into the bottom of the box until it begins to adhere. Wipe off excess glue that oozes from the corners and allow to the glue dry.

Line the cigar box with white paper. You can use a thicker cardstock or plain printer or copier paper.

Place the moth crystals in the small match box. Pin the match box into a corner of the cigar box using a straight pin or one of your insect pins. The moth crystals will help to keep insects and other pests out of the cigar box so they don't eat your insect collection.

Pin your preserved insects in the cigar box, inserting the insect pins into the fiberboard. Keep your insect storage box out of direct sunlight and in a place that is away from other insects or animals.

Label your insects. To label your insects like a professional entomologist, cut small squares of white paper that are the same size as the length of the insect's body. You'll need three squares of paper for each specimen.

Write the locality where you found the specimen, the date and your name on the first piece of paper. Write the place or "host" on which you found the specimen, such as a sunflower, on the second piece of paper. Write the Order name and Family name on the third square of paper.

Pin the three papers in order first-to-third from top to bottom beneath the corresponding insect specimen.