Insect collecting

Insect collection is

• historically a widespread, essential predecessor of scientific entomology and at the same time
• the formerly (up to the 2nd world war) popular educational hobby of collecting insects, that has left traces namely in European cultural history, literature and songs (e.g. Georges Brassens: "The butterfly hunting").

Since most types of insects have hard exoskeletons that retain their appearance after the insects expire, it is easy and practical to form a collection, and with many thousands of colorful and attractive species known, a collection may become quite large.

The collecting of butterflies is perhaps most popular, with beetles in second place.

Insects are common in almost every part of world, and may be easily found by looking closely at plant leaves or flowers, under rocks and boards, in water, and so forth. At night, many types can be caught flying around lights. A butterfly net is essential for capturing flying insects. Funnels and other types of traps baited with small bits of sweet foods (such as honey) are also quite effective. Aspirators or "pooters" suck up insects too small or delicate to handle with fingers.

Once collected, a killing jar is used to dispatch insects before they damage themselves trying to escape.

Rare insects, and/or those from distant parts of the world may also be acquired from dealers or by trading. Some noted insect collections have been sold at auction.

The usual method of display is in a glass-covered box, with the insects mounted on pins stuck into the bottom of the box. Very small insects will be glued to a small piece of paper on the pin.

Museums frequently have quite large insect collections, used for research. These are not usually on display, since most of them will all look the same to the untrained eye.

Literature

• Murray S. Upton: "A rich and diverse fauna : the history of the Australian National Insect Collection  ; 1926 - 1991". Melbourne : CSIRO, 1997. 386 p. ISBN 0-6430-6322-6
• Vivienne M. Uys (ed.): "How to collect and preserve insects and arachnids". Pretoria 1996. 73 p. ISBN 0-061-17337-1

External link

• Bohart Museum guide to insect collecting