IntroductionInsects are arthropods Arthropoda: "jointed feetGeneral characteristics of insects: The body is comprised of 3 distinct body regions -- head, thorax, and abdomenThe thorax of adults bears 3 pairs of legs and 2 pairs of wings

CollectionThe purpose of the insect collection is to: Learn to locate and capture specific insects in their habitats.Learn the correct methods of preservating insects for study or referenceUse diagnostic characters to identify insect encounter Form a reference collection for you future use.

Equipment for collection of insectsForcepsVials containing alcohol or other preservativesKilling bottles of various sizes.Small boxes or containersOne or more aspirators

A strong knife and a pair of scissors for cutting labelsA small, fine brushNotebookA hand lensBags.

Collection methodsHand collecting:For large insects Holding them by the sides of the thorax so that they can not reach skin with their jaws and/or stingersFor slowly movement of insectsForceps must be used.

Collecting Nets:Collecting nets come in three basic forms: Aerial, sweeping, and aquatic.Aerial net:For collection of butterflies and other flying insects.

Sweeping net:Sweep nets are made of heavier-weight and sturdier materials and are better suited for collecting plant-infesting insects like bugs, beetles and other chewing and sucking insects of medium-small to large sizes.Bags are made entirely or partially from heavier cotton cloth.

Aquatic nets:Aquatic nets are used for gathering insects from waterAn aquatic net should offer minimum resistance when dragged through water but have a fine enough mesh to capture small specimens. The bag of the net need not be deep, and should be made of a synthetic mesh such as nylon

Transparent material is preferable, to make viewing of the catch possible.The shape of the net:Removable, rigid D-shape farm 30cm across, mesh bag with thick cloth rim. Metal pipe handle with rubber grip at the end.

Beating sheets: This method is useful for collecting sessile or wingless groups such as some beetles and bugs, stick insects, spider and mites.

Insect aspirator known as apooter, Is a convenient and effective device for collecting small insects and mites.

Berlese funnelBerlese funnel is a good tool to collect small insects from leaf litterBarleys funnel consists off a funnel with a coarse screen on the inside and a dish of alcohol below to catch the insects as they move out of the plant material.

TrapsIs defined as anything that impedes or stops the progress of an organism, this subject is extensive, including devices used with or without baits, lures, or other attractants.Trap depends on:location, time of year or day, weather, temperature, and kind of attractantused, if any.

Light TrapsThis is the most common method of collecting nocturnal specimens that hide or rest during the day in places where they are unlikely to be seen.

Sticky TrapsIn this type of trap, a board, piece of tape, pane of glass, piece of wire net, cylinder, or other object, often painted yellow, is coated with a sticky substance and suspended from a tree branch or other convenient object.

Water trap:

Fly water trap

Suction trap:They are used to collect ballooning spider and small flying insect such as flies, aphids and wasps.

Food trap:

Killing and temporary storage:

Killing should be done immediately after capture.Killing and storage methods vary according to the type of arthropods that has been collected.

Killing methodsUse of liquid:All soft bodies insect (e.g. aphids and termites) and all eggs and all larvae must not be allowed to dry out once they are dead. They should be placed directly into a liquid preservative usually 70%

The following insects should NEVER be placed in liquid: thoseWith scales in their wings (e.g. Lepidoptera)Insect covered with a waxy bloom ( some Coleoptera)

The liquid killing agents are:

Ethyl acetate (CH3CO2 C2H5)Ether (diethyl ether, C2H5 O C2H5)Chloroform (CHCI3)Ammonia water (NH4OH solution).

Refrigeration and FreezingMedium to large specimens may be left in tightly closed bottles for several days in a refrigerator and still remain in good condition for pinning as will smaller specimens if left overnight.

Dry preservation

It is standard practice to place many kinds of insects in small boxes, paper tubes, or envelopes for an indefinite period, allowing them to become dry.It is not advisable to store softbodied insects by such methods.

Diptera should never be dried in this manner because the head, legs, and most of all the antennae become detached very easily.

Methods of preservationPinning

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Double mounting

Setting:

The wings of certain insect must be spread, because the wing venation or wing pattern is important for identification

A small spreading block.