Unusual insects

Dark Raptor

Arachnoprince
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Oct 18, 2004
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1,062
Curry said:
I dont have any "live" ones but I do have quite a few that I am collecting and mounting.
I have hundreds more that are still in my closet!
Thanks!
Your beetles are also fantastic. I like these Neolamprima stag beetles, their mandibles are extremely large.
 

Ganoderma

Arachnobaron
Old Timer
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Jan 24, 2006
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467
do you use dessicant for mounting beetles? got any links for mounting softer bodied creatures? like spiders, phasmids etc?

like the pics.
 

Curry

Arachnoknight
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Apr 9, 2005
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281
Ganoderma said:
do you use dessicant for mounting beetles? got any links for mounting softer bodied creatures? like spiders, phasmids etc?

like the pics.
I mount them the same way I mount butterflies. I never used dessicant.

1. Position

2. Dry

3. Pin

For T's i'm experimenting with stuffing the abdomen, drying and then mounting. Scorps I usually will mount a few and a few I will keep in vials or small jars with alcohol sealed up and labeled with data.

I never really searched the net for info on mounting, most of it I learned on my own and from a few entomology books on my shelf. The stuffing idea just came to me one day, but I've heard of people using it and having success with it.

Try these links: (I will be writing my own very soon, I'll be sure to link you to it once its complete!)

http://www.4-h.uiuc.edu/projects/pinning-insects.doc

http://msucares.com/pubs/infosheets/is655.htm

http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/course/ent425/pinning2.html

http://www.ars.usda.gov/Main/site_main.htm?docid=10141&page=1 (good resource)

http://www.nfi.org.za/inverts/Collect/preserving.html

Hope this helps!
 

Dark Raptor

Arachnoprince
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Oct 18, 2004
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Bombus sp.


Chrysopidae (Neuroptera)


Margarinotus bipustulatus (Histeridae)


Meloe violaceus (Meloidae)






..and not insects...
Acari


Tegenaria sp.


Collembola, in Poland we call this specie "water flea".


Lacerta agilis


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T.Raab

Arachnobaron
Old Timer
Joined
Nov 12, 2003
Messages
432
Hi,

fantastic shots as always. ;)

Here are some pix of my break two days ago (KoMi Dynax 5D with Sigma DG EX 50/2.8 Macro):









 

Dark Raptor

Arachnoprince
Old Timer
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Oct 18, 2004
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1,062
Very, very nice!
I like especially this Bombyliidae fly. I hope I'll be able to catch it during flight.

I'm starting my fieldworks on saproxylic beetles tomorrow, so expect more pics after 8th of May.
 
Last edited:

Scolopendra55

Arachnoprince
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Aug 30, 2005
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1,423
Yo, Dark Raptor you are BOMB at taking pics!!! Keep up the good work home fry. There I've filled me gangster talk quota for the month ;) But seriously you are REALLY good at taking pics :D
 

Dark Raptor

Arachnoprince
Old Timer
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Oct 18, 2004
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1,062
Very beautifull Pieris sp. (brassicae ?).

I've returned earlier and prepare for a next trip next week. Here are couple pics I took in Siekierki. It is very close to german border.

Ampedus sp. (Elateridae)


Typhoeus typhoeus (Scarabaeidae) attacked by Formica rufa


Cassidinae (Chrysomelidae)


Cerambyx cerdo (Cerambycidae)


Chalcophora mariana (Buprestidae)


Cicindela hybrida (Carabidae)




Epicometis hirta (Cetoniidae) & Meligethes sp. (Nitidulidae)


Ergates faber (Cerambycidae)






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Dark Raptor

Arachnoprince
Old Timer
Joined
Oct 18, 2004
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1,062
Formicidae sp.


Gryllus campestris


Hispella atra (Chrysomelidae)


Ixodes ricinus, larva L2... not an insect ;)


Probably Orgya antiqua eggs (Lepidoptera)


Diptera (Culicidae or Chironomidae)


Caterpillars...


Meligethes sp.


Parasitic wasps fighting for Lycosidae spider






Pyrochroa coccinea (Pyrochroidae) - pupa


Pyrrhidium sanguineum (Cerambycidae)


Rhagium inquisitor (Cerambycidae)


Acridoidea sp. (Tetrix sp.?)


Reptiles
Lacerta agilis


Rana temporaria


Sunset over Odra (Oder) river. Just behind you can see Germany...




and two additional "nature" pics




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Kabutomushi

Arachnopeon
Joined
Apr 27, 2006
Messages
20
Dynastes hercules ecuatorianus

Male Dynastes hercules ecuatorianus (14.2 cm) captive breed :eek:

 
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