The minimum equipment necessary to collect insects consists

Collecting and Preserving [nsects
ColtEcrrNG and preserving insett" i'an idPal way lo learn-aboul
them. and can b.;n interesling hobby lt provides lhc salisfaction
ol leaming at 6rst hand, and enables l he collt clor lo discover things
ulour in.i.r. lhat he mjght not learn lrom books lt also provides
materiat for the study oistructural details that serve as identifrcation
characters. Tfere are few restrictions against collecting
insects compar.d to lho:e for collecl-ing olher animals or plants'
The average landowner has no oUjecl lon to lnst ct coll( cll'lg on nls
prop.nv, ind it is only in a feu'plaer-' )uch a: park. wh're coliectine
mav be re'tricted. Insecl. are so aburdanl thal ordlnary
coll"ci]ne has little or no elle(( on their numbers: the 'ludenl o[
insects n'eed nol worry Ihat hi. collectirrg actirilit5 $ill upset lhc
balance of nature.
When and Where to Look for Insects
Insects occur almost evervwhere, and the more places you
examine the rnore kinds of insects you are likely to find. Insects
are small and live in small habitats; different species may often be
Iound only a few inche. or a lew ieel aparl. ll you know where lo
Iook. vou'can lind at least some insect' virtually any lime, bllt
collccrirq rvill be morc nrohlable lrom 'prinr to Iall than in the
winler- bifierent ins"ct. are active at differert lime" oi the year.
hence collecting throughout the year rvill yicld a wider range of
insects than collecting for only a part of the year.
You can beein vour co)lecting at home, \vhere you may hnd
insecr. on o'tJ. oi infesting iooJ, clolhing, and other malerialc
On warm eveninqs ouldooa insectc are atlraclcd to porch lights
and rvindows of lfihted rooms.
A good place ou-tdoors to look for in:, ct' is on plant.;each planl
willa-ttra,.icertain spccies. Olhcrin.ecl5occur in \ariou'conccaled
siruation". 'uch as in leaf litler or dpbric, under .lones or other
obiecls. in funqi. under bark, in dead logs, in decaying materials,
anl in rhc grou-nd. Many in.ects live in water..eilher.lhroughout
their lives or during lheir immature slage'. and may be louno tn
differcnt Darls ol specialized aquatic habitat". Adult. ol insects
occurring'in water bnly during ihcir immature slage" are usually
found near water.
COLLECTINC EQUII'MENT
Collecting Equipment and How to Use It
The minimum equipment necessary to collect insects consists of
your hands and a container for the insccts collected. Certain tools
are very he)p[ul, nonetheless. For gencral collecting they include
a net, hilling jars, vials of preservative, envelopes, and small boxes;
other tools are useful in some tvpes of collecting. A pair of forceps
is excellent for handling insects, as is a hand lens lor examining
them. Many of thesc items can be carried in a shoulder bag; the
forceps and hantl lens can bc carricd on a string around your neck.
The Net. A net lor gcneral collecting should be light and strong
and have a fairll'open mesh so that it can be srvung easily and an
insect can bc sccn through it. The size may depencl on your personal
preference, but most nets have a handle 211to 3 ft. long and
a rim about 1 ft. in diameter; the bag shoulrl be about trvice as long
as thc diametcr of thc rim, and rounded at the bottom. Marquisette,
scrim, bobbinet, ancl bolting cloth arc good materials for the
bag, which should have a heavier nlaterial, such as muslin, around
the rim. A fine-mesh bolting cloth is probably the best material
for the bag of a net that will be used prinarily for srveeping.
Insect nets can be purchased from a supply house (prices ranging
upward lrom a ferv dollars) or they can be homemade; homemade
nets cost considerablv less. AD insect net can be made tvith a broom
handle or similar stick, a wire for the rim, and a cloth bag, as shown
in thc illustration on the next page. If you prefer a net that can be
taken apart and carried inconspicuously, use the frame of a fishlanding
net, rvhich you can buy lrom a sporting-goods store.
An insect nct can be used in 2 general ways: you may look lor
an insect and srving at it or you may simply st'ing the net through
vegetation. The first method requires a ccrtain amount of speed
and skill, especially for active or fast-flying insects. The second
method, usually callecl "sweeping," can yield a considerable
quantity and variety o[ small insects.
Insccts caught in a net can be temoved in various lvays. Take
care to prevent their escaping before you take them out of the Det.
Removc them with as little resultant damaee as oossible and -
in the case of in"c.l" rhar bire or.ring rr'il-our injury ro yourself.
You can keep an active insect from escaping by quickly
turning the net handle to fold the bag over the rim.
Most insects can be removed from a net by grasping them
through the net rvith the fingers. Small or fragile insects, easily
damaged by this method, can be removed in these ways: (1) by
inserting a box or bottle into the net and getting the insect directly
into this container; (2) by rvorking the insect into a fold of the net
and placing this fold into a killing jar to stun the insect; or (3) by
removing the insect rvith an a,piraror r-ec p. a). Thc fir"l method
is the one usetl bv manv colleclor' Io remove buller0ies or moths

C)
fr
E
COLLECTING EQUIPMENT COLLECTING EQUIPMENT
The homemade insccr nel. Cut grooves oppo'it' .iks ol. olt
"n
end ot handle, a. shorvn in \, I to aboL.t 2 in. i om in.j and tlre
'" 3 in. from end;Jri ' a hole aboul hrlf$n) rhro!'sh
"Gi t""Jt" "U.'i .",1 of each groore Bend $ire Inr r:m raLour No 8
*^"".
"i r; +.'^;n B, nt nro l'o'es and groort'. Jnd- idslcn il
ihcrc rith 6ne 'ri-. or hcavl ,ord (cr ('ur malFrrxl lor blg as
.h.t"" ;n I and serv. Completed bag, x'ith muslin around rim,
ls snown ln I,
Irom a nel. 'ince direct handlirrg ol t\t.pecimen ofl'n causcs som'
^f th^ q.,lp- *ii"-i"U" rd he rrrhhed rubbed off. off lt l-f a bullcrdv burrcrdv of molh molhi5 r5 graqped b)
"iifl"
(to reducc flutteing
Many beginncr. may Le rcluctant -il:i;;'ito;;;';; to insect ror rea,
thal il mighl miq;l bite -ai or sling: iting; such is Is is mr much mu'-h less likelY lil

COLLLCTINC I'qUTP]II,NT
Por:.-iun ,.arid \\"i,I' [,ol 'ikr:us.rf.r i' u'ualr avai]allcat
a drrrgrrn-e. Tl e toxic '-r'nt ir :r ,)arl lP Ja I' frv lroJen.')an'oe.
an ,.:

IO
COLLECTING EQUIPMENT
into a vial or other container' This container has intake and mouthpipcL
tub* , nlerinq it: lhc inlal. lubP i" u.urlll a piece o[ ra in
elas" rubina xbout n ir. lone, and the moulhll'ce luue IS ri.ll'
!las- rubirf lhrough l]re cork plu' I r2 lo 2 'l (r1 rubber lubrrg,
ivirh a pl"ti.f clo-th over Ihe inner cnd lo nrevc'l ir'r'r-t" from
beinc sucked inlo lhc rnoulh llac' ll-e cnd of the Inlake lube
close-to the insect and suck through the mouthpiece. An asplrator
is u.eltl for collrctirrg.mall, nut loo sLlir, ir:e(ls. eilh'I lrom a'l
in"ect net. a Dldll. o'r rnolher 5ilualion The in:cct' coll cte'l
"o
mav Le leDl ilire nr lrarr"ferr.d ro r, killine jar.
Traps. in",,t trdp: can Le ron5lrur ted in r'rriou'r3)s alld Ihe
attraiiarl u",J wili ,l,termir. rhr t;pe" of irr'eLr" likely to be
caught. Tn" irltraclanl rraJ Lc crlifrcirl lieht. decar''rg m''at or
fruii, or orher thing.. Trre lrapr ar.,on:lructed :o Ilri'tt on't thc
in.".,. o.t in rh.r iannol gel oul somc lrapc cu'h a' 1fo'e wilh
liitlrt r"'thc allr;crant) mav bc con'trucled Io direcl lhe cauehl
in_sects cvcntuallv into a coltaiDcr o[ alcohol or a killing jar;others
t'rift t* n" ft.''r".1 u irh d"..rl ing ll.aterial' ) Inav hc cun5l ru( ted
lo dirccr
". lhe in.rct. inrn i:p,cial , ha.1bcf and .lol inlo lhc Lrarl'
lc.eLr" artracte'l ru lighri o bait. mry ofttr be 'ollntcd by
hand or rvith a nP , $il\ou1 use o[ a tr.rp lnscct'allracl'Ll lo a
lieht. for , xarnple, cd'r L,, collecr' Ll dir''' tr) int''' a krllrrr{ J€r or
oiher cor'trin,r shpn rhey alight nn .orn, 'ulracr' ne.rrby (a.l ghl
colore,t t"oll ot sheet). Tirus jiou can collcct only those specirnens
in nh:rh r'ou rr. Da-licularly irtere.ted
Aquatii Collect'ing Equipment. \4ary aluat ic ir'c' ls can be
collcired hr hen.1 oi uir\ forc.ps fron obje,ls in lhc \\'dier: moll
car L-,c.ollecled $itlr a nel oroilrer oLrire. A' aqudli' rel'hould
br much lhalr un a,ricl nel,Milhabagno'leep(r ll'an ll'P
"turditr
diameter of the rim. Kitchen straincrs i[ to 6 in. in diameter make
good dip nets.
ii" i;o-""' or .trainrr c.n.s up full ol mud ar.l debri', rhe
lnsects ,".s tul.n may m 'v bc b, tlifhcult .lifficult to .e,lunl".-
sei unless they lhPy n-o\e move. To locale locate
them. dump the net contents into a white bottomed pan of water'
Insecis arc'easily secn against this $hite backgrolnd, and.can.be
i"""'",i rru l'r,ia, Ior."i., o- ey,tl'opp' r' Siall rree-srvrmming
forms Io,m. likc lito mosquito mo* rrilo larvac ir\ac are best bert colrPcled $ilh a lonJ fandlPd
rvhite ivhite enameled dipPer, dipper, in which the insects similarly sholv up
lvell. ll. Rcmove thcm with an eyedropper'
Otf"i equip-"nt aod M(th;ds. Mrny ir.c,.ts crn be colleclrd
dir.ctlt
'ccrlr irrLo inro a k:llinc k:lling j.rr irr or olhe' colrlrilPr,
colrlrilPr' \lthoLt \lthoLt.lhe lhe ur' u"' ol a
nrt. Thi. i. thL -imllc-t uay lo collec in"e.l thxi arlgff oll a lal
.uitr." u' a do r ut fly loo i,adiry. an'l mar) in5'cr' or llo*er''
Various trpe' o' buildirg. ofltl 'ervL 3' in5e(l lraps: ln'ecl'. l'y
in and aliglrt on lle !!xllc or criling and r'nai1 lher'. or they
uiighfon -lvinaoru. - lrom which they can be collected dircctly
into a iar.
A hJavy knife is uselul lor cutting into logs or branchcs, opcning
MOUNTING AND PRESERVING INSECTS
galls, prying up bark, or tligging into places that may harbor
insects. Keep at hand a notebook and pencil for taking notes, and
rrake triangular paper pr ve'opes lrom tlre rrot,book page..
Collecting some kinds of insects requires special equipment not
mentioned above. An ingenious collector should be able to devise
equipment and procedures for collecting such insects.
Mounting and Preserving Insects
Most insects are prcserved dry, normally on pinsr and once dry
will keep indcfinitely. Soft-bodied insects must be preserved in
liquids, sincc they shrivel or become distorted if preseNed dry.
Minute insects that are hard bodied may be mounted (dry) on
"points," but many must bc mounted on microscope slides for
detailed study. lnsects that are prcserved dry shouki be pinned
or mounted as soon as possible after they are collected;if allowed
to dry first they.become very brittle and may be broken in the
process ot mounarng.
Relaxing SpecimeEs. l)ried specimens can be relaxed by placing
them in a humid atmosphere lor a fcw dayslany ai.tight jar can
be used as a relaxing chamber. Cover the bottom of the jar with
wet sand (add phenol or ethyl acetate to prevent mold), put the
insects iDto the jar in small open boxes or envelopesJ and close
rne lar.
Pirming. Insccts suf[ciently ]rard bodied to retain thcir shape
whcn dry, and big enough to pin, are normally preserved by pinning.
Common pins are too thick and too short, and they rust;
insects should be pinned with i.rtsecl Piirs, made especially lor this
purpose, which can be bought from a supply house. They are
available in various sizes (thicknesses). The best sizes Ior gcneral
use are Nos. 1 (vcry slcndcr), 2 (less slender), and 3 (thicker, for
larger insccts).
Most insects are pinned vertically through the thorax; a Ielv
are pinncd sidet'ays. Bcetles and hoppers are pinned through the
Iront part of the right wing, at a point lvhcre the pin on emerging
from the underside ol the body will not damage a leg. Bugs are
pinned through the scutellum (p. 33) if it is large enough to take
a pin or through the right rving, as for beetlcs. Grasshoppers and
crichets are pinned through the rear edge oI the pronotum, just to
the right of the nlidlille. A tleehopper is pinned through the pronotum
just to the dght of the midlinc. Dragonflies and damselflies can
be pinned vertically through thc thorax ivith the wings horizontal,
but it is better to pin thcm sidervays, lelt side up, rvith the wings
together abovc the body, the pin going through the thorax below
the wing bases. If the rvings are not togethcr rvhen the specimen
is removed Irom the kiliing jar, place the spccimen in an envelope
(the wings together above the body) for a day or t$.o until it has
dried enough for the wings to stay in this position; then pin it.
II

T2
MOUNTING AND PRESERVING INSECTS
The.implesl uay to pin an irrscct is to hold jt belween lhe thumb
^"i io*H'"'g"i o'ne hind an.l irrsert the pin $.ith lhe other hand'
AJJ specimens
"i and labels Puf on a pln should bc at a unlrorm
i;ehi; ihi. i" most easily accompliihed tith a pinning block
,14r
4v+
)\/(
c
How insects are pinned. The black spots show the location of tle
oin inilr" ."." o' Fies (A), beer les , B i bugs ' C grasshopper' rD),
ilrasonfli.s and drmselBies (P), and leathopl,ers. lroghopperc, and
-
PlanthoPPers (F)
Ag
A
"1vt
4 i'N
l\v\
Prnninq blocls. These mcy be made of a re' langrrlar pe'e.ol
roodrA) orone shaped likeslPps(Bl, qilh holesdrllled to l "8'
aJi,r-in.-AJGrpruiing a speciiren on a pin inse'r the pio in.rhe
i-in. hole unril it rou.hes bottonr The 56 in hole is used ro
posirion the local;ly date Iabei on Ihe-pin. and the r8-rn nole ro
positjon a serond label. Il there ls one'
MOUNTINC AND IRESERVTNG TNSECTS
Mount the insect about an inch up on the pin. With large-bodied
insects there should be enough of the pin above the insect to permit
easy [anonng,
Sagging of the abdomen of a pinncd insect (liLc a dragonfly) can
be prevented in the following ways: (1) by sticking the pinned
specimen onto a vertical surface, rrith thc abdomcn hanging dorvn,
and leaving it there until the abdomcn dries; or (2) by placing a
srnali piece of carclboard on the pin, just under and supporting the
insect, and leaving it there until the insect dries;or (3) by supporting
the sagging abdomen with crossed pins, the abdomen resting
in the angle \l'here the pins cross.
A sheet of cork. balsa wood, or other soft material is useful for
the temporary storage of pinned specimens until they can be sorted
and placed in boxcs.
Mounting Small Insects on Pins. Insects hard-bodied enough to
mount dry but too srnall to pin are usually mounted on "points."
Points are small triangular pieces of cardboard, about 8 mm. long
and 3 or 4 mm. wide at the base; the pin is put through the base
of the point and the insect is glued to the tip. Points can be cut
with scissors or punched out with a special punch (obtainable from
a supply house), or they can be purchased lrom a supply house.
Mounting small insects on points. A, beetle, dorsal side up; B,fly,
left side up; C, beetle rnor"te,] ,]o.sat side up, nttached bj'its'sidi
to the bent down tip ol the point.
fnsects put on points should be glued so that the body parts to
be examined in identifvins the insect are not obscured. The best
position for an insect ii on its right side, with the head away from
the pin (B, above), FIat insects that may be diffrcult to mount on
their side are usually mounted dorsal .ide up at the exlreme lip
ot the pourt.
Place an insect that is to be put on a point at the edge of a blocL,

MOUN'|ING AND PRESERVING INSECTS
A sDreadins boar.l. A, cross scction sholring relation of cork strLp
t" i'.-ve in ccnter ol borrdi B. :r board conlaining a spread
qDLrir e.. i,r'r, ( lro'

Steps in spreading a butterfly.
r6
I{OUNTING AND PRDSERVING INSECTS
The timc required for a spread specimen to dry will vary with
its size ancl with temperature and humidity. A largc butterfly or
moth that might take several days to dry at normal room conditions
can be driecl in an hour or two with heat-in an oven or
undcr an electric light. To determine if the specimen is dry, touch
thc abdomen gently rvith a pin;if the body is still the specimen is
dry, but iI the abdomen is still flexible the specimen is not yet dry.
A specimen spread on a spreading boarcl is spread the same way,
exccpt that the insect is pinDed through the thorax from above and
placed at the standard height on the pin. 'Ihe pinncd specimen is
then placed on the board, the pin going into (perhaps through) the
cork strip at the bottom oi the groove, until the basc of the wings
is even vith the uppcr surlace of the top piece of the board. Next
the wings are spread and fastcned dorvn and the antennae o ented
to a symmetrical position- Do not removc the pin in the insect's
body alter the spreading.
Mounting on Slides. Small insects, particularly soft-bodied
forms that shrivel lvhcn prcscrved dry, and various insect parts
(genitalia, wiDgs, nouth parts, e1c.) are olten mounted on slides
Ior detailed stuclv. Insects and Darts that are thick or dark colored
are usually clcarcd (ma

IB ARRANGEN{DN'I OF TIIE COLLECTION
are u:uallv pre5er\ed in fluiJ"ince ll-cJ Sh-i\el when prP-r'rveJ
drv. Tl-e'lrc.t p_esprvaliv, i. a 7( 80 per' '11 'olullon ol ethl/l
aiiohol. Al,oh"l i- a killirrg aSe l for mosl ir'eclj trut IS un aLIs
i""i"ru i"t killing larvae-- it may distort or discolor them'
ilr*.l .ir"ula t'" iiitled bv hot rvatei or chemicals A good killing
.ofuii"n ,o' larvae i. on, ionrairine I Parl of kero'' ne 7 I0 parls
of a5 ppr( er I r't l'yl a lcoh.l (lc* for \ rr y-soll-bo' 1leo la r\ ael' I, Da,rrs
of ela'ial a,,ric acid, and I ldrl ol druxanc lsl'irrop)l ar'onol
,iuifli" rt.on,,t) trill -erve jl ethllalcohol j' not available'
t"^ill..i- of .pe, in'en. 1'rc.i'ed in alcohol 'hould be com-
"r"i"iu r.rr.a rtirh al,,_,hol onrl r.ghrll .roppered to reduce.or preverl
;var\olalior' ll a largt nun"b' r o[ 5pe(]n cns ar| kl led In a
slnall amnul t ol c'eonol, thi' alcohul 'l_oul'l b' 'eplacc4 aller a
day nr l\\o. RuLLer :topper. drc bclle- thai curk on'c l1'l_
oJi.uiiy itip..t containeri'of specimcns in fluicl and replace any
evaporated fluid.
Arrangement and Care of the Collection
Labelina. \ll :nc,imen 'hould I'e Ll'elpd silh al l'd't Ih'
bfii;:;:l Jat" oi tn.ir,aptu'e 'peciner' rvithutt'ur h labels
are of-l.llle \xlue. T\P ramP or lle 'olleclor alrd ln ome 'a_cs
i.i"..u1ior ot tt't" ttabitat or foocl ol the specimen are also-helpful'
For oinncd insccts put this inlormation on onc or tlvo small pleces
;an;;.:
"' rh, pin Lelou rh' in tct: ior sp",i"lcn 'nourrled,on
slirles Our ir on a Jid, labcl, rnd on a l;'1e ol lapr'f ' n p! rcrl or
walerlloor ink r 1,lac, d in'iJP l re col Ial1'rInr.fe'lmr'n5Pr'cerv(''l
in ' fluid.
f-"f,"f. prr n",1 -1'cimen."hould b' on rairll 'riFI sIr:te,paper
""
no larle- thj' aLuLIl rr x r, ir' lor 5mallerl 'i1 a unllornl.nr'lgnr
on lhe pi'1 lacnic\ed \illl a pirrin* bto' k) al.Ll l'lrrlleL wll.h lne
in.p' I or t,uinrJ. Locr'il' l3b l' nla) b' handnrlll'' or prlnreo'
P'in ,d hl,cl" carr bc ohrairr, Ll r-om a 5upl,ly rr^u ' or cul lrom a
ol-orosraDh ol a :h,cl ol t\'P' slill'rr lJbel" | \e Lucalll) glv'n
itr""fa'i",li.r," tl'e raplure a'' lo'ely a' po-.ih1'
"itc -theruunty
rnrv be.L,fiL;er.l in bur iI tlr' rout ly lr larqe ll't lne
"omc.r_,'.
i"ti- oifr"t sile. Place thesc labcls ou the pins ir the same way
"r
Corubhr. Cdiuhb.!
Sheets of localitv labels. actuai size, \\ith localit]' alone (A) or
locarity and colictor (Bj,
d space for $ritiDs in
"iit: l*;l ""n
ARRANGEM-ENT OF TI-IE COLLECTION r9
throughout the collection - whether they are read from the right
or left is a matter of De$onal Dreference.
An insect collection should-contain some identification labels.
How these are best arraneed will deoend on the size of the collection
and the extent to whiah it is ideniifed. Most collections should
be labeied at least to order and {amiiv. and the soecimens so
aranged that a sing'e label can se.ve I'or all t\r specinens in a
group. When specimens are labeled to species, an identiication
label is placed on each specimen or on the first in a group. This
label is a plain piece of paper (about an inch square and at the base
oI the pin) containing thc scientific name oI the insect, the name
of the person identifying it, and the date (month and year) the
identihcation \r'as made.
Bores for Pinned Insects. Pinned insects are kept in bores
having a soft material in the bottom to pcrmit casy pinning; they
can be obtained from a supply house or be homemade. f'he most
common supply house type is a Schmitt box, a wooden box about
9 x 12 x 211 in. \\.ith a tight-litting lid and the bottom lined with
sheet cork or similar material. Such boxes cost from a few to
several dollars. Similar boxcs made ol heavv cardboard are available
from suoolr hou,e, anJ cr,,r on. hcll io orc rhicrl as mu, h.
Homcmade bo*6s -ay be made of rvood or heavy cardboard, and
the bottom lined rvith sheet cork, balsa wood, Styrofoam, or corrugatcd
cardboard. The material in the bottom should 1it tightly,
and if corrugated cardboard is used it should be soft enough to take
an insect pin. Large collections ma1' be housed in Schmitt boxcs,
or in cabinets contairing trays or drarvers constructed like Schmitt
boxes,
Riker Mounts. A Riker mount is a glass-topped box containing
cotton, with jnsccts on the cotton just under the glass. Insects
spread lor mounting jn a Riker mount are spread in the upsidedown
position descrihed on p. 15. Riker mounts may be of various
sizes, and also can be purchased from a supply house or he hom"-
A8
The Riker mount. A, a cornpleted mount; B, sectional view
showing a specimcn in placc under thc glass.

ARRANGEMENT OF TI]E COLLECTION ARRANGEMENT OF THE COLLECTION 2I
madc. Homemade boxes can be made from a cardboard box,
a p'"r, o[ gla.s cut to fit jn'i,le lhe lid. and bin'ling lepe, The box
should -Cuioui Le abuut 3n in(h deep;cLl deep'r b^xcs down lo tnls dr'prn'
a t"ctio" of the lid, ieaving ibout a %-in. margin around
lhe edr... Co\ering tl-e lirl rirh tape uill improve il5 alpeararce'
Fa"ten the gla.. in.ide thc lid riLh slril" ot lane placed so tFal
ther do nol .how lrom the oul_idP TI you sarl lo hang up tne
'nount pur 2 bracc h:le_PF ul lhc bollum and reirfor" thcm
iit-ia. *itt lapr, thPn tie 3'LIirc or 'tin Lelw"n lhem on the
out.i,lc. Bplo;e pulling 3 lhi(l. bodied in'ect inl'r a Rikrr mount'
ie;se tbe collon lo rnalc a .n all leprc.'ior for the bodl Fa-ten
the lid oD the mount Nith Dins or tapc
Sp, ci.nen: i' Riker mouit ar" er.il) di pla) ed. Inrl ll e mount'
can take.on.i,leralrle har,Jling sithoul Jan'iltgP to thr sl-'eclmens
A rep.llrnl can bc plared under Ihc collL," 1o Drotecl thl speclmcns
from oe-l-. Rilier noun{"h3\. 2 disaJv,rnlr!'': olrly I 5ldeol tne
sn.cirer can be .ner rrrd mal ) nollrs "ill hrle ailer lrolonged
exDosurc 'cl^"" to liqht.
Mo,riitr. Class mounts are similar to Riker mounts, but
l,ave glass on both top arld bottom and contain no cotto[; both
or,rl, sl,Pcimen\:J
"1J". rre vi'iL'le Thrv gene'ally cortairr unly
on, or r lerv_sp,cimen:, ard can be n a'1" in \ariouc \\aJi Ihe
iollo.r irr; p'ocedure i" n lat:vcly si-nple:
L Spi.a'l 'p,cim"n irr an u1,'i'le durvn po''L'^r' lnd ir't' n leg:
close to the body.
2. Cur 2 iJciri.al piece- 'f r'lr.s ior tol ar.l bottom of th'
mount, allor'inu a mrrg;1 o al lPd"l ', in o' all I sldes ol tlle
specimcn(s).
'1.
Cut .nouAh suppor l inc !la:5 to proviJe room for bodv,of {hc
in.e(1. lhc-e pier,- ril] be a: lor J 3i I dlmcn5lon lu:uaily lne
shorter) of top and bottom pieces, and a rvidth that will leave a
lobel
^
zuppo*ing gLo*
tpecimen glcs
A glass mount. A, the finished mount; B, sectional view.
space iD center oI the mount 2 or 3 times as rvidc as body of the
rnsect.
4. CLan l\e gla.j lhorouehly. preferaLly rrirh a glas. clcaner;
use a Drush to r, movp ltnl lrum the clxss_
5. Fn:ren t r. pieces ol .uppo :nq cla-. lo bo om p:c(c wirh a
sma)l drop o'(cinel r,5u(h a" Du,o lou.'l.o.d cenrertl or each
oulside corner: prr.s each supporl:ng piec, in o posirior, in line
with rhe edg'. o[ l.'ullom glas.: r"m"". a-1 e:rce.. c, rnerrl. Allorv
trme lor (cmcnl .r or , pip.e to -cl before rlre "ert pi,.cc is rdJed.
. 6. ll'hen the suppo'ti rg c.h.s j- irr po"irinrr. L, aci on
lbe supportins pi..es and crnter ir. Pu' a srnrll ,lrnl' ot
"p.cim.n
cen,.nl on
lbe 4 uuler cofn, r., lhen Dul otr lrrp top !la.-, beirrg care'ul nor jo
mole lh, specim(n. Pre-. rhi: gla.. J,,,rvn hrrd ard put a .mall
weight on it; leave the weight iri place until cement seis (an hour
or more).
.7.
Tape edges of the mount with slide binding or electric tape;
this covr-r: an1 sher1, edge. oi rhe gla-s, and giv.s rhe rrouni a
frnishcd look. fl e lah, I i" placeo r"-.ho,r n.
Ulass Inuullls a-e irexpr nsivc. rajv to md.re. and rhr-y provide
a safe and attractive method for-storige and display. If ipecimens
put into these mounts are heat dried or otherwise made pest-ftee
belore mounting, they shoulcl remain pest free. Trvo or more
specinens can Le put irr a silgle nount by plncing one above rhe
olbcr. or side i.') jidp r$irh I groups oi sul,porr.r,g'glas.7. l\e use
ot slandard rvill
"ize-
:impl:ry glJS. cuttinq and mourr slorage.
Plastic Mounts. Pls.tii noLrirls mav concj:l ol 2
"hecr.
of thick
plasli'- !rillr I\e jn.,cl n.unl.d l,er*.en rh.rn, or a ph-ric Lrlotk
in which the insect is embedded. Ii 2 sheets arc used. each is
bulged out nhere rh. in.ect s L"dy wiLl be, lhc 2 :hcel" are put
together with the insect bctrveen them. and sealed around thc edee
with acclone ur lJpe. jlmb(ddinJr ar insrcl in a hlock of pla.tic
tsa rathcr involvrd proce5s. Lur the Snal producl i- an attractire,
dr.rrable, and perrnan' nt -noun1. Srtppl) hous'. offer mat.rial. loi
ttris type ot mounling i-d i'l5lruclion) ior rh, ir use.
Ptotection of a Collection from Pests. Insect collections are
subject to attack by dermestid beetles and other pests, which v'ill
ruin tle collection if il is nol pfol,.ted. lnsecr boxr. can be pro
tecled with a repellenl such as naphlhrlcne llakes or paraJichlorobenzene
{napthalene llakes la,l longer). The.qpqllqnl i- a Lox oi
pinned in'eCts can be put in a sn a-ll pillbox or ri rappe,l in a piece
of.clotlr firmly allacheJ to a , orner ol rh, bor. Therepelleriina
I(rter mounl is placed under lhe .olton. Collrcrion- be
examined periodiially lor
"hould
signs of damage, ard iI pe"t. ar, delectcd
the colleciion shouid be I-umigaled or heat tr;atcJ. lL is not
possible topur repelienl in a glais lnounl, )o lale car. to mz,kp sure
tbat specimens are Desl free $ hen Dul in lhe5e mounts.
, Eandling Specimins. Insecls are very britth.when dry. Careless
handting ol a pinned specimen can resuh in the lo-i of legs,

SUPPLY HOUSES
l*
"-
u". o, 01 her pa rr.. P:*:,. :"-o,XX';";iI;:"f l rt".'""$ll;:1
hv use of qlue or cement llxpenence \
iii* .t".it"*'l will impre"i on thP coll'clor lhe imporlance ol
care in'handling mounted specimrns'
SuPPIY Houses
Much of the equ:pme1l 1e'ec:a,y loT making an in'cct coll"ction
;::f lru;ll"';'; lx;'i';ii**i'i:i"";''iL:l:",ilil;,iliJ
o'E::'i,iii,'
j..:,_i:'*; .l:
I,i"*liS'?".: . . 'ftXl:
,l ,,"frTil:*
ilii,';",::'iiJ:, ili*l''i)lHln.i:;, ei'dur p' ri f i. r o.
i;;;i:C;"'. Mrnica. ca li,. qu4oo
:il';ll S'mlgl 3i,oo',i', !.";"ii'il.1l"[;] t 'l'"',0""
0"" ,
Cbicaso, I 60620
i,xslrl:t*l'ur, .".:'i::; i;r""'l' ll?'.1.'.o. Box, 7 i 2,
rl*:l:T"i;il"*tli6f;io. so* r+q, xlontercv, carir' e3e42'
Work with Living Insects
THE sruDENr of insects rvho does nothing but collect, kill, and
mount these animals and study the dead specimens rvili miss the
most interesting part of insect study. Anyone who takes timc to
studl' lltizg insects r.ill find that they are fascinating and often
amazing little animals. They can be studied in the field or in
captivity. Many are very cas)- to keep in captivity, where they
can be studiccl more easily and at closer range than in the field.
Some collcctors try to catch an insect as soon as they sce it. We
suggest that you occasionallv stop and watch an insect awhile
before you try to collect it. In thc case of fast-llying insccts such
as dragonflies, you rvill probably not be able to catch one the instant
]'ou see it and may bc cornpelled to rvatch. This may try your
patience, but in observing it you may leam things about its habits
that you rvould not learn i[ you caught it immediate]y.
If insects are kept in captivit)' a short period ancl released (or
put into the collection), they require only simple containers and
relatively little care. Il collected in imrnature stages and kept
until the adults appcar, they requirc more care and somctirnes
special containers. If cultures are maintained throughout one or
more generations, spccial containers and even more attention are
necessary.
Field Obsefvatrons
You can insect-lvatch much as you might bird-rvatch -by
going into the field and keeping your eyes and cars open. A binocular
is seldom needecl, as for bircl rvatching, exccpt occasionallv
for such insects as dragonflies. A hand lens, ho*.cver, is very
helpful.
A pond is an excellent place for *.atching insccts. it probably
has water striders and rvhirligig beetles moving about on its
surface, various beetles, bugs, and other insects in shallow Ii'ater
where they can be watchcd lrom shore, and dragonflies, damselflies,
and othcr insects flying or resting near or over the pond.
Bief observation of thc clragonflies, for cxample, will rcveal that
each species has a definite zone (height) oI flight above the watcr
surfacc, each flies and rests in a charactcristic mannet, and each
has a parli,ular metl.o,l of lalirg egg., fl1inq in tanJem, and
chasing olher indiriduals. An oL.erver rrill ,liscorer the{ some uf
the larger dragonflies patrol definite territorics; they rvill attempt
to mate with any female of their species cntering this territory,
23

FIDLI) OBSERVATIONS
arrl n ill errgsge irr r harar ri ti"lance' or ch'r'e- w;l h ol hrr nal's
"
;il;"i; lfar , nr.r rh, Lerrir"rl \rr e\lrni'.arion or rhe
";i.;.
v.qeralior, i,,oulrJ lh, ed;r'of a I'o
'l ma) r'\cal n).n'frr I.rllq-
Iuflrirr: Inro !Jult.. I I'i- pro' , ..c I hF L,lull ' mcrJlne lron' rn'
-i.i" ,r,u g ral' lrol nn' I'ali hour to an
",:-ni"l
"rprrdl'
fli,rr,
"rra "i rh, 'i'-',i n il i'.r'l oia"ulr tn inrl en'rgin;
",
individLrals.
q.orl"ic-J l,lJcF lo \\31' h ir.' t'i' nt flut'"r: \Ton) itr'"rt-
'r"fourh
o..ur-it :on'r o, rlem are lairl'/ rmall ll'cy car
"ii.r'',
u.uallr b, ob-.rrc l at r'1 ,". '21!. Ob'erral 'rn !'l l r' Dees wrrl
i^,"i ,ft' f)r.:' ,'t 1l1e nl1,re. iur' L'u ) a'J.bcc :d l'ulr'rlv may
he .ecn un,oilir g :1. p ol,o_, i" nr, l , rten'l'lg I' rl^\\'n Illo rnc
Ilorc I rn,r thc sunl'g\r 'trikirg tl" ! n; ul 3 I'u\Prrr'q )rpnro
Ilv r.ill rnr,ke il laok lil, : .rnr1l jerv' I Some snlma'' oc' ur.ng
li t"tr.r. pre lLlor'. Jro fPc,l rol on llf flo\\'cr but on the
fr*. f' A n'..-'i'r' "r" i'''r i, tr tou oh'' rre J 1o*' currrinirrc a
.J -oia,: ar an l,u.h huq tor r ttlile. yvLI m:slt 'ee 'ill'cr
"r
animai car,h i'.1'r,;, e-.1 yuLr rrill 1' crr-ori cd Ll hos ldrge cn
i .r:ct it can cal,lr' lIc ob crvd rr ill-ecl \\2" h'r $rlr 'ec nlany
inslances of one anirTral eating anothcr'
.f"i'i'" t.', inre-'rtir! r''n t..e.peciallr ar u- rrrJr lh' ir n(ql'
,,r orr Dla.l il r..uii3l:.r. wilh .rl,lrid: Ilre gruurd rr'.'rrn'la large
"
rrlouni,".r n ay beaInrn'l.rlire sith.rrt"contrnP orgo'l'J pernaps
.,".tit, -oln, 'ii"* l ir :lunc or l'oar'l i- li'rcJ rr'l ar art trr-{
irtli ii i,.*no.",t, t.r, arr' sill burilr rrr"cporr th'ir luurg ro
thc Jrtltrr ol rheir u'rdr Igruulrd Lurrut \ l' w rnlc arr' olrc'l
i"".a J ir lrrgc.lu lPr nt rp\iJ"
"n
x.l'l3r l: ir )ou
"rU., uir:er\e
lhe.e for a li ne I L,.l
-n.1) ie lhr anls iP'LllnI L'^ ir \\alLry rul(r
,fr.""u,f.'", i,,"' i.-xp- 'on ll. c1,l or lh' a1'h'd s aL'1on' n,,
\ ola rt - le, tt,l rl r.lrdurn Jn'l PXanin'J ' irrclull) wlll celoom
I"il tL h;." :om. ir,'e' rr or il, 3n'l rhcre ar' lik' l\ ro Le t'rarry
kinJ. .,:r.h orr a parlicular parl u[ rhc lbnl ]nd bchdvllrp ln a
I haracteri-tic ld.hiol'. th. Phnt miry ill:o colrlaln I I'c r' ls: larvae'
or ' pupae of malry t)pes of insfcts.
lil"" ';.i ^ ii'JI,',ittt reqular irl' rvrl' 1orr n'ay be rble to
foll.r'r rh, .ea.rnal h:.to11 rnd dcveltpm"nl 'l thc ln'eclj 1n're
lhc Jevr'luprn, nl ol a \'J_ir nt t. Pr11' lcal mtnrr' lhe ccllvllLes
o[ :r srouo ol *ebrv.rm oi l, nl calerpillar' nr the tlevelopmenl
o[ the ir,i'.cls i r a iallen log c.rr bc tol]otved by :uch obcPrvarrons'
KeePing Insects in CaPtivitY
Cases. There are many types of containc6 to use as nsecl
*i"'1" i i.* iin.pr" iyi*';'." illu'trried oppositP {e'peciallv
e-i-rr. An in.ecl ian bc kept for a lime in an empt1. contatner
ii ej, b"i ii will g"n, rallv livc Jonger ir somerhing like nalural
conditions '"ii;;i.;";liJ ". arc orovided
fouJ mucr be kPpt frech or resularl) rcplaced
";
r'--i->-
/a:4
l=-l
tl
i'-r-l
Cages for insects.
25

2t) KEDPING 1NSECTS IN Cr\PTI\iI'fY KEEPING INSEC'I'S IN CAPTIVITY
T rel can l,e l', pt rrr'h l ' g' r if plrred in e jur ol warer' rith a
.,r.r on th. jar around lhc IPm ui llr' 1''3n1 1" pre\'lrl lr:crli
on rr'' tl/ rl 'rur r r.-rllirg i'lo llc $alFr rl I So-nr_l Iner a]rl;rllr
ri.r 1,, ):n\\,r ir, lr'P,Ii..ur r, )lir'd, r ot *'een cdrr b'l'13'r"lr\'er
a o^rr,il t'b t Lr). \ir',, rr"P, l. \/r) tr'rlr) rr'..lle )ltc,ol Iooo
rh.r c.rt. r',c lir,l pr"r'd,'l lof a c'r'Pl r"'c'I \\'' 1 J'lcr4 ur r1'
i, .i.,t. toU,t \r,,ir.. lr .", r" f,a,lir,: ur orhcr lirirg in-F, r.t' e."nl
if* -.i"i i""rl problems. $Latcver the loocl, gcnerally it must
be rsrliccrl before il dctcriofates.
";
;t-i
".r. n,t.h'1 1'lrnr 1,,der.. rre',l ro L, proriJed rrith
*,,te'. .i, , Irc\ gPl , r,.u"jr irr tLeir iund Oll" f lhr'P l'''lrng
"
or ,lri, r [.'n,1 , n'nj n''uir' :,1'l ri^rr:rl r'oi turc an'l r $Ft ip"nSc
.'n1".. i rlrcc:r;r' ra ri-l of *: r"rthrtg'd uil\'orr^n
"t,"i:"'.
.nlL iri,', t. ir' i'rP, ,rr u1i'h ir' Ta\e i'r'e rL' aroi'l rr' rle5'
;itl.;iiitt;; this p.onotes'tire grorvth of mold, aJrd droplets ol
":rr, I nn rhe \\'i,ll ,l llrP, |:F Inh\ Irrl' Ir''" l"
1t i. nrlFr.,lfc, l:\' lo r!,1'lox;.lrnl' rrlurt'r 'unr ll on< lrltc
cJ^e Lv ha... rH '.r !1, 'il.or'tore' r'lrpla t o' c'rrt-o 'J'ct o'l
$l'i'llt'"ir,.n,r,al, r, l. l{-l, nc'cr hP''rr rPrF4.rrqurrPi lie'lrl
cor 'l.ri,rr. pu1:'ri,'r' ''il or'lebri') ll':P rund'lr" 55l uul{l t'e
Dro\ illeJ.
:;;';;i" e 'he br.r 'r',tv ro l-ar', cau' I ir' '' t' urder '-r ditior'
a5 r iltri-.r Jr t'-'.i'ln i' ro r:{' l'rc'n in llrr 'rrld I llr' l olr'131
I.rr'r' i -",'i f.".ri ,r:- r nbr'r c.rnb'.T -'Ji'rl'ar:orcllinJer
n',c,'l r'r l',, ndrr .f l\" pr''l I ur' il_'c\ llr'\.LI' lAUn; rrr'
Arruari, in e,r- '.' rl'e r,r'c'l 'r' ,'L-" cuUlnergc'l
''r'',u
lr ILPIr
'ir''
l'rlirrttrlr'.,r,"r' u[ r'. r'r:", lroLr] lL erour' luc'rrlrrn
ii" l;ili;],;i coa6e enoush to alloN food materiirl to get in'
R";';";. R'rri,t.'lrrlr' 'n ir r'r" ure I'r;e5 ''3bl'c orrr'.io
l"ll".' r'; .'' n.r" lif'.i'urr. 'rd pr"rr'l ' tL' c ll'cl'r srlr
rr,,1., t l,rr'r'r rur I,ollr, l:"r' \l'lt1 'rs'lc c'rc h( rPl1rr'l
relilti\ clv cr\it!.
i l,or lik. r'"'r.l.o', r irr Lcrnl,eu-'r lurcrr*hrll fron lirr\aP
ti'ii., ;', ,t"',';, u- n lrc n rr' ri Ll.. Tl-i Ind Prial i' plrr i r" lhP
bor :L' I rr' l'or -eal, o; t\, e ncrr ir'x iLJull_ Jrr' ! ulll\ sllrrcled
to l;sht. and (o jnto the viaL.
"i"i,l
';i" i.r' :o" r';n.,, r5 rr lJ ir'(P rnar'v r* la-serrd
er:il\ ^15' ." 1, ar'l 'l'eir I Jrrlu-rr.r'io rr crc vcr\' il lk rr'
.,1ni.
,l i, t oLl, n i- l,ror',lir'. riral'le i"u'l l" cru' rno'l 'J1!llrllars
fc, Ior' o lF r, ': Li' I o' t'l" t Ti I I' I'r'/i p'3nl r- rrJ l'irro\\'rr'
\r' I n L I ei lr' ;'l"lill rlrP cJr' rl':lhr ilr'd d'1r rnll ' '15 looo
",,., .,-', f*, :,' " i-,t J 't . urnl'er of J''rr'r' i-r th" rr"pc,ot
i ,li rl .or' trirj l c,Jrrrtil,h 'rrll crt l-h' foL" ola l can or
k(:r,LlrrJ' '\ l,'.,i:il
rr' 'Jl'r, '- 'lciril
"J cbor' '( r' l.llhe
.,.i.'nilln ,"q.'r"- .t'",i.'l cor' l'ri 'rr iu- tLl'"liu r- tl u 'lr'hrls''
thr5t conditi,,n. \houl'l l,( pn'r'idc'l
f . ,. tt..r,'ir'i"t.'t .,1.o'"r\i I''b'[urPl'uoLting'
"qlti
r' :, n'.1 6lerr ' rl'r lr'a lLl r: rur'r'llnlFr;l n'J\ nut I o nlrl' te lrs
developnrent unless it is subjcctcd to low temperatures. Cocoons
collected in the lall and brought indoors may fail to develop, either
because they dry out or require exposure to low tcmpcrature,
l)rying can bc prevented by placing the cocoons in a container
with a little soil anrl occasionally sprinkling the soil with water.
Exposurc to lor\, temperature can bc accomplishcd by placing the
cocoons in a refrigerator for a fe\r'wecks, or by keeping them outdoors
(for examplc, on the outside windorvsill of a room).
Many aquatic insects, e-specially thosc living in stagnant \rater
and leeding on microorganisns or debris, are easiJy rearcd indoors.
They can be fearcd in some of the $.ater from rvhich they rverc col,
lecte.l, often *ithout special equipnent to aerate the watcr and
without adding morc food. ll a stream-inhabiting inscct is put
rnto an aqui"dum, the rvater usually must be aeratcd arld its temperatule
not a]lo*.ed to go too high. Idult mosquitoes can be
rcirPd lruirr I3r\3p .r lrjpa, ir, , untn'n.r' r" -n.al' a. \'ial:: , nvFr
rhe rral. f$il\ n.'r:ns ur a plug ol ,ot,"r1) ro l,'e.. rt rhF a,lulls
from escaping- Pre.laceous insects such as dragonlly or demselfly
nymphs rcquire other irrsects or small aciuatic aninlals as food, and
the aquariurn nlust contain sorlrelhing extcnding out oI thc watcr
'a stick or picce of scree[ onto $.hich thc nl.rnphs can climb
rvhen thcy are rcadv to transfolm into adults.
I{eal infesting insects generally are verv easy to rcar or main
tilin from gencration to generalion, since thcy nornlally livc indoors
and do not require extra nloistu.e. Tbcy can bc kept in containcrs
ol their foocl material; this matcrial should be silted at intcrvals,
and the insccts transferred to a frcsh batch.
Spiclers, and preclaceous insects such as mantids or dra[loDfly
n1mphs. rill pru\ p i ,r. e.r:n!'rok,,p.rlrp ivirl il .uppliedrr,rh
:uilablc inseclr rs In,,d. \la-1 ul th,^, .r'rim:.1- lur', u u..al
mPthods of.rzl'rLrinc, thrir I're) t a-q,l .1,i,1r r- ( jr o. sitc\ed
maKrlg theLr s.el,s or cgg sx(s.
. {dulr ,ri,Lpt- .i : rraoilJ in ,anti'i r. an,l lr, a fairlv lnr'g
tlme; you can enjoy thcir songs ancl also sec how the songs are
produced. Chi,k, n mr- r ^r cr,,u ,l .l1, ,l ,- [ .u. cjrl uc J:pd rs
ioorl, an'l a $et tlrur,t' or piece ,,'cortnrr r ill I,'L\i,1, x,le,tual"
molsture-
With a little krro$,lcdge of an insect's foocl habits and habitat
requirements, an ingcnious student should be able to clevise
meliods o[ reariIe nltnu"r Jtr-r r-rl,e ur ir'ecr. .\rrrnne rerrirg
adullc trom immatun .tr*r - t .ll .nor e. . ibt. r Acl I,drir.il,
-
rnslcad L'f ll-e aJu lr erL,c, lcJ.
"
i'lLl I I u. \\ ill leJ fl, . ^.1er Iing ebuur
the habits ancl hosts of parasitic insects-
The Projection of Living Insects
Living insects can be demonstratecl to a group by nreans of
projection, and the effect is much like a motion picture. Aquatic

THE PROJECTION OF LIVING INSECTS
insecr. in a watch gla.s cec be projccled lor smal) groups with. a
phoLographic enlarlcr or 'imilai projcctor. or lhe inscLls can bc
iri l"-ro'u ,;zid ruarcr cell ard projecred lot larger, group'
i4'ith a .[L]e
"lide proieclor 't]e more practicdl melhod l ne con-
.truction of sucb-a rvater cell is illusrrated belorv'
1,j,, F.__-*",ghl
-:7-;i:::- 2x? 5t1de
l-t-'fft fil
I I
llll,llllll
H lil lllll
i l ltl tu]
,--= lu_ll
A vater cell for projecting small living aquatic animals'
The Structure of Insects
A (NowLEDcE oI inscct structure is essentiai to understanding
de,criptions arJ th, , harrclers ,li.rirrBui-lring diffcrcnl groul".
The following account is rather brief; more information is given
in l\c ar court: of .orre uf lh. insp, r orde s.
General Structure. The bodl' of an insect is segmentcd and
more or lcss elolgated. Thc rcgments are g.ouped in 3 body
regions, the head, thorax, and abdonen. 'l'he redd bears thc cyes,
antennae, and mouth parts; the ,rrl.ri bears the lcgs and tvings;
the abd.otuen usr.rally bcars no locomotor appendagcs but olten has
some appendages at its posterior end.
An insect's body r,r.all is somenhat hardencd. (sclerotized.). It
serves as a shell to protect the intemal organs and acts as a skclcton
or, more properly, eroskeleton (muscles are attached to ils inner
surface). The surlace of the body is divided by intersegrnental
and other lines into a number oI piatelikc arcas, or sderitei.
The Head. The head is the antcrior capsulelikc body region
that bears thc cyes, antennae, and rnouth parts. It is usually quite
hard. The surfice-is divided by sutures into a number oi a.ieas,
each with a name; the samc names are used irt diflerent insect
groups where the areas can be homologized but special terms
are used in some groups.
Insects generaliy have 2 kinds of eyes, simple and compound.
For the majority there are 3 simplc eyes (orelli), located on the
ypper lronl parl o[ lhe hea,l. Some jnscr ts laek ocnlli and others
have only 2- 'lhe , ompou'd ey", are .:tuated dur.olarL rally on trrc
bead, each composed ol mdry ir.er-. I. in.ect- they occupy
most of the head and contain hundreds of
"olre
lacets.
The Antenrae are usuallv located on the front oI the head below
the ocellil thpy vary er, ar li in forn and :n lhe numbcr uf -egmeclconlained,
and are often u-ed to di.tirrgui"h diFlerent:n.ecl proups.
Various terms that describe the antinnae are explained ln the
accounts of thc ArouDs in which .rntennal chdracters are u5ed lor
identification-
_ Mouth Parts. The mouth parts of an insect generally are
located on lhe rentral or ante"ior part ot thc hrad, und rh, 1'ur.y
a greal deal in diflerent ins"ct group.. T\c mout\ pa-1 .rru,-ture!
typically pre-ent are a labum,uop.r lip), a pair ol ja\\ like , ?rklibks,
a pair ot jawlike naxilLae, a l.rLium tlo\\er lipl, and a longuelrke
structure called the htboDh,Jt \)nr:.
- Insecl moulh parts ar" of ) g"neral tlpes, cheuirg ard sucling.
Insects with cheuing mourh pins hare laterally morirg mardi-
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