Directions For Collecting And Preserving Insects - free ebook by Charles V. (Charles Valentine) Riley

DIRECTIONS FOR COLLECTING AND PRESERVING INSECTS.

BY C. V. RILEY, M. A., Ph. D., Honorary Curator of the Department of Insects, U. S. National Museum. Part F of Bulletin of the United States National Museum, No. 39 (with one plate). WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1892. CONTENTS....

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INTRODUCTORY.

There is a constant demand, especially from correspondents of the Museum and also of the Department of Agriculture, for information as to how to collect, preserve, and mount insects. There is also great need of some simple directions on a great many other points connected with the proper packing of insects for transmission through the mails or otherwise; labeling; methods of rearing; boxes and cabinets; text-books, etc. Interest in the subject of entomology has, in fact, made rapid growth in the

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MANUAL OF INSTRUCTIONS FOR COLLECTING AND PRESERVING INSECTS.

By C. V. Riley , Honorary Curator of the Department of Insects, U. S. National Museum....

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CHARACTERISTICS OF INSECTS.

The term “insect” comes from the Latin insectum , and signifies “cut into.” It expresses one of the prime characteristics of this class of animals, namely, that of segmentation. This feature of having the body divided into rings or segments by transverse incisions is possessed by other large groups of animals, and was considered of sufficient importance by Cuvier to lead him, in his system of classification, to group with Insects, under the general term Articulata, Worms, Crustacea, Spiders, and

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SCOPE AND IMPORTANCE OF ENTOMOLOGY.

But few words are necessary to indicate the importance of entomology, especially to the farming community; for while insects play a most important part in the economy of nature and furnish us some valuable products and otherwise do us a great deal of indirect good, yet they are chiefly known by the annoyances they cause and by the great injury they do to our crops and domestic animals. Hence some knowledge of insects and how to study them becomes important, almost necessary, to every farmer. The

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CLASSIFICATION OF HEXAPODS.

Seven orders of insects were originally recognized by Linnæus, namely, Neuroptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, and Aptera. This classification was based on the organs of flight only, and while in the main resulting in natural divisions which still furnish the basis of more modern classifications, was faulty in several particulars. For instance, the Aptera, which included all wingless insects, was soon found to be a very unnatural assemblage and its components were d

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COLLECTING APPARATUS.

The Sweeping Net. —A multitude of insects of all orders feed or rest on grasses and other low plants. Upon close inspection of these plants a careful observer will be able to secure, without any instruments, not only many mature insects, but also many larvæ in connection with their food-plants. This is laborious and slow work, only necessary on special occasions. The beating net, which is constructed on the same general plan as the butterfly net, is valuable here as a time saver. By holding the

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COLLECTING HYMENOPTERA.

The insects of this order, including Bees, Wasps, Ants, Ichneumon-flies, Gall-flies, Saw-flies, and allied insects have always been of unusual interest both to entomologists and non-entomologists on account of their diversified and peculiar habits. In abundance of species they exceed perhaps even the Coleoptera. In general they are day fliers and always to be found in abundance on bright days about flowers. The best season for collecting is in early spring, on the bloom of the Willow, Alder, and

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COLLECTING COLEOPTERA.

General Directions. —Owing to their hard outer skeleton, Coleoptera can be collected, handled, and preserved with greater safety and with less trouble than most other orders of insects. From this fact, and from their very great diversity in form, Coleoptera have, next to the Lepidoptera, always been favorites. As a consequence, there are now more species described in this than in any other order, and in the large museums they are much better represented than other insects. This rich material has

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COLLECTING LEPIDOPTERA.

Fig. 70.—The Eight-spotted Forester ( Alypia octomaculata ). a , larva; b , enlarged segment of same; c , moth. In this order the importance of collecting the early states and of rearing the adult insects rather than of catching the latter should, if the collector has the advancement of knowledge and the greatest pleasure in mind, be insisted upon. Collected specimens, in the majority of cases, will be more or less rubbed or damaged and unfit for permanent keeping, and will always be far inferio

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COLLECTING HEMIPTERA.

Fig. 74.—A Pentatomid ( Stiretrus anchoraga ). Fig. 75.—The Blood-sucking Cone-nose ( Conorhinus sanguisuga ). a , mature bug; b , pupa. Fig. 76.—The Bed-bug ( Acanthia lectularia ). a , young; b , adult—enlarged. For the most part the directions for collecting Coleoptera will apply to this order of insects equally well, especially so far as concerns the first section of the order (Heteroptera), and the higher families of the second section (Homoptera). A few directions may be given for the lowe

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COLLECTING DIPTERA.

Fig. 78.—Ox Bot-fly ( Hypoderma bovis ) enlarged. (After Brauer.) Fig. 79.—The Collecting Shears. (After Kiesenwetter.) Fig. 80.—A Bee-fly ( Anthrax hypomelas ). a , larva from side; b , pupal skin protruding from cutworm chrysalis; c , pupa; d , imago—all enlarged . Fig. 81.—A Syrphus-fly. Most Diptera frequent flowers and may be collected with a sweeping net without much difficulty. The best season is from April to June, and the bloom of the Willow, Alder, Plum, Cherry, Dogwood, Blackberry, et

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COLLECTING ORTHOPTERA.

The insects of this order may all be collected by the use of the sweeping net. Some of the families are attracted to light, as certain of the roaches and green locusts, or Katydids ( Locustidæ ). Our common roaches ( Blattidæ ) are cosmopolitan insects, and infest dwellings. Certain species are also found about ponds, under rotten logs, the bark of trees, and particularly in decaying vegetable matter. In the tropics the species are very abundant, but aside from the domestic forms, they occur rar

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COLLECTING NEUROPTERA.

As indicated in the preliminary outline of classification, this large order has been divided into many orders by later entomologists. It has also been divided, as indicated, into two grand divisions, the Pseudoneuroptera, comprising those insects with incomplete transformations, and the Neuroptera proper, comprising those insects whose metamorphoses are complete. It will be convenient to discuss these insects under these two heads. Fig. 83. —A Spring-tail ( Degeeria lanuginosa ). Fig. 84.—A Mall

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KILLING AND PRESERVING INSECTS.

Between the collecting of the specimens and their final disposition in a well-arranged cabinet, a good deal of mechanical work is necessary, involving a skill and dexterity which can be thoroughly acquired only by practice. First Preservation of living Specimens. —Larvæ, pupæ, or imagoes, intended for rearing purposes, must be kept alive, and are best placed, after capture, in tin boxes of various sizes, according to the number of specimens to be put in each and according to the size or nature o

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CARE OF PINNED AND MOUNTED SPECIMENS.

Insect Pins. —In mounting insects for the cabinet, expressly made entomological pins should be used. These come from three different sources: Kläger pins, made by Hermann Kläger, Berlin, Germany; Karlsbad pins, made by one or several firms in Karlsbad, Bohemia, Austria; and Vienna pins, made by Miller, Vienna, Austria. [4] These three kinds of pins have each their own slight advantages and disadvantages, so that it is difficult to say which is the best. All have the disadvantage that the pinned

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PRESERVATION OF ALCOHOLIC SPECIMENS.

Apparatus and Methods. —The collections of most value, especially to our various agricultural colleges and experiment stations will be largely of a biologic and economic character, and the interest attaching to a knowledge of the life history of insects will induce many collectors to build up independent biologic collections. Very much of this biological material will be alcoholic, and though many immature states of insects may be preserved by dry processes, still the bulk must needs be kept in

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LABELING SPECIMENS.

General Directions. —It matters little how much care and pains have been taken in the preparation and mounting of specimens, they will have little value unless accompanied by proper labels giving information as to locality and date of collection, name of collector, and a label or number referring to notebooks, if any biological or other facts concerning them have been ascertained. There should be pinned to the specimen labels referring to, or giving all the information obtainable or of interest

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INSECT BOXES AND CABINETS.

General Directions. —The boxes or cases which are used to keep insects in permanently may be made of any dimensions to suit the fancy, 12 by 16 inches inside being a convenient size and allowing economic use of cork. They must, however, be perfectly tight and should not be more than 2½ inches deep on the inside. The bottoms should be lined with something which will hold the pins, and the whole inside covered with white paper, which, if delicately cross ruled, will facilitate the regular pinning

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ARRANGEMENT OF INSECTS IN THE CABINET.

Systematic and biologic Collections. —The permanent arrangement of specimens in boxes and drawers will vary somewhat with the nature of the insects. The almost universal custom of collectors, however, is to arrange the insects in vertical columns. In the case of the smaller forms, as Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera, 2½ to 3 inches in width is allowed for the columns; and for the larger insects, as Lepidoptera, Orthoptera, for which larger drawers are recommended, a greater width of column is ne

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MOLD.

Collections kept in damp places or in a moist climate are very liable to mold, and under such conditions it is difficult to avoid this evil. Carbolic acid is recommended, but Mr. Ashmead, who has kept a large collection in the moist climate of Florida, has found the use of naphthaline much more satisfactory. Mr. Herbert H. Smith who has had more extensive experience in the tropics prefers the carbolic acid. Moldy specimens may be cleansed by washing with carbolic acid applied with a fine camel's

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VERDIGRISING AND GREASING.

The action of the acid juices in the bodies of certain specimens—as many of the Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Diptera—will cause the formation of verdigris about the pin, which in time accumulates and disfigures and distorts the specimen, and ultimately corrodes the pin, so that the slightest touch causes it to bend or break. There is no preventive yet known for this trouble other than the use of pins which have no brass to be corroded. Japanned pins are made for this purpose, and are, on the who

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THE REARING OF INSECTS.

General Directions. —The importance, even to the mere collector, of rearing insects to obtain specimens for the cabinet has been referred to from time to time in these pages. The philosophic study of entomology, however, requires much more than the mere collecting of specimens, and one of the most profitable and, at the same time, most fascinating phases of the study relates to the life-history and habits. In no branch of natural history are biologic studies more easily carried on, or the biolog

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DIRECTIONS FOR TRANSMITTING INSECTS.

It is very desirable in transmitting insects from the field of exploration, or from one entomologist to another, for information, exchange, or other purpose, that they be properly secured and packed. Pinned and mounted specimens should be firmly fixed in a cigar box, or a special box for mailing, and this should be carefully but not too tightly wrapped with cotton or other loose packing material to a depth of perhaps an inch, and the whole then inclosed in stiff wrapping paper. It is preferable,

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NOTES AND MEMORANDA.

In the foregoing pages are given some of the more useful directions for those wishing to commence to collect and study insects. Experience will soon teach many other important facts not mentioned here, and the best closing advice I can give the novice is, to get acquainted, if possible, with some one who has already had large experience. He will be very apt to find such a person pleasant and instructive company whether in the field or in the closet. One important habit, however, I wish to strong

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DIRECTIONS FOR COLLECTING SPIDERS.

Fig. 129.—A ground Spider ( Oxyopes viridans ). (After Comstock.) Apparatus. —Many of the directions and methods given in the foregoing pages for the collection of Hexapods apply also to the animals named above. Little apparatus is necessary in the collection of spiders and other Arachnids. The essentials are vials containing alcohol, an insect net, a sieve, and forceps. Narrow vials without necks are best for collecting purposes, as the corks can be more quickly inserted. They should be of diff

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COLLECTING OTHER ARACHNIDS: MITES, TICKS, SCORPIONS, ETC.

Other Arachnids—as mites, ticks, scorpions, daddy longlegs or harvest-men—may be collected in the same way as spiders. Fig. 131.—A Harvest-man ( Phalangium ventricosum ). —From Packard. The Phalangidæ (Harvest-men) somewhat resemble spiders, and are at once recognized by their extremely long legs. They occur about houses, especially in shady places, under the eaves, etc., and in the woods and fields. They are carnivorous and feed on small insects, especially Aphides. They should be pressed a lit

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COLLECTING MYRIAPODA.

Centipedes and Millipedes are collected in the same manner as spiders. They live in damp places, under sticks and stones, and in decaying vegetation. They should be preserved in alcohol, and on account of their usually strong chitinous covering, precautions as to the strength of the alcohol are less necessary here than with softer-bodied specimens. Fig. 139.—A Milliped. ( Cambula annulata ). The members of this subclass comprise a number of well-marked groups. The Iulidæ are cylindrical insects

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COMPREHENSIVE WORKS MOST USEFUL FOR THE STUDY OF NORTH AMERICAN INSECTS.

Volume ii contains the insects, which are treated by the following authors: Hymenoptera , J. H. Comstock and L. O. Howard; Coleoptera , George Dimmock; Lepidoptera , H'y Edwards and C. H. Fernald; Diptera , S. W. Williston; Orthoptera , C. V. Riley; Hemiptera , P. R. Uhler; Neuroptera , A. S. Packard; Arachnida , J. H. Emerton....

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GENERAL WORKS ON CLASSIFICATION.

HYMENOPTERA. COLEOPTERA. This is the most recent and the only complete classification of North American Coleoptera. It contains also Appendix ii , a “list of bibliographical references to memoirs, in which more or less complete synopses of the families, genera, and species of the Coleoptera of the United States have been published.” LEPIDOPTERA. Contains a classification of the Lepidoptera, which forms the basis of our present arrangement. Compiled descriptions of the North American Lepidoptera,

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AMERICAN PERIODICALS.

Papers on entomology are also published occasionally in other American periodicals, among which the following might be mentioned: Papers on entomology are also published occasionally in other American periodicals, among which the following might be mentioned:...

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FOREIGN PERIODICALS.

Succeeded by the Deutsche Entomologische Zeitung. A large number of other periodicals devoted to entomology have been issued, principally in Europe, but after continuing for a year or more their publication has been abandoned, and they are not included here. Important entomological papers have also been published in many serials devoted to zoölogy or the natural sciences generally. Among them may be mentioned the following: Proceedings of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences....

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LIST OF MORE USEFUL WORKS ON ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY.

——Miscellaneous Essays on Economic Entomology. Springfield, Ill., 1886. (Published instead of Annual Report.) ——Miscellaneous Essays on Economic Entomology. Springfield, Ill., 1886. (Published instead of Annual Report.)...

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ENTOMOLOGICAL WORKS PUBLISHED BY THE UNITED STATES ENTOMOLOGICAL COMMISSION AND BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

UNITED STATES ENTOMOLOGICAL COMMISSION. (Members of the Commission: C. V. Riley, A. S. Packard, jr., and Cyrus Thomas.) BULLETINS OF THE DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, UNDER DIRECTION OF C. V. RILEY, ENTOMOLOGIST. SPECIAL REPORTS AND BULLETINS. Footnotes: [10] Out of print. [11] Publication discontinued. [12] The annual reports of the Entomologist are contained in the corresponding annual reports of the Department of Agriculture. A limited author's edition, separately b

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HOW TO OBTAIN ENTOMOLOGICAL BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS.

Comparatively few of the works treating of the classification of North American insects have been published as separate books; but such as have been so published, if of comparatively recent date, can be obtained through the regular book trade. By far the greater number of the monographs and synopses mentioned in the preceding pages have been published in scientific periodicals and in the proceedings or transactions of scientific societies. These may be obtained either through the societies or th

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