Part 1

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STATE OF ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF REGISTRATION AND EDUCATION

HOW TO COLLECT AND PRESERVE INSECTS

H. H. ROSS

_Printed by Authority of the State of Illinois_ NATURAL HISTORY SURVEY DIVISION George Sprugel, Jr., Chief

Circular 39 Urbana November, 1966 (Eighth Printing)

STATE OF ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF REGISTRATION AND EDUCATION BOARD OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION

John C. Watson, _Chairman_; Thomas Park, Ph.D., _Biology_; L. L. Sloss, Ph.D., _Geology_; Roger Adams, Ph.D., D.Sc., _Chemistry_; Robert H. Anderson, B.S.C.E., _Engineering_; Charles E. Olmsted, Ph.D., _Forestry_; W. L. Everitt, E.E., Ph.D., _Representing the President of the University of Illinois_; Delyte W. Morris, Ph.D., _President of Southern Illinois University_.

NATURAL HISTORY SURVEY DIVISION, Urbana, Illinois SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL STAFF George Sprugel, Jr., Ph.D., _Chief_ Herbert H. Ross, Ph.D., _Assistant Chief_ Robert O. Watson, B.S., _Assistant to the Chief_

Section of Economic Entomology William H. Luckmann, Ph.D., _Entomologist and Head_ Willis N. Bruce, Ph.D., _Entomologist_ Ronald H. Meyer, Ph.D., _Associate Entomologist_ James E. Appleby, Ph.D., _Associate Entomologist_ Robert D. Pausch, Ph.D., _Assistant Entomologist_ Ralph E. Sechriest, Ph.D., _Assistant Entomologist_ Delmar Broersma, Ph.D., _Assistant Entomologist_ Joseph V. Maddox, Ph.D., _Assistant Entomologist_ Edward J. Armbrust, Ph.D., _Assistant Entomologist_ Dannel McCollum, B.A., _Technical Assistant_ Gregory P. Marsh, B.S., _Technical Assistant_ Sue E. Watkins, _Junior Scientific Assistant_ H. B. Petty, Ph.D., _Entomologist in Extension_[1] Stevenson Moore, III, Ph.D., _Entomologist in Extension_[1] Roscoe Randell, M.S., _Technical Assistant in Extension_[1] Clarence E. White, B.S., _Technical Assistant in Extension_[1] Stanley Rachesky, M.S., _Technical Assistant in Extension_[1] D. E. Kuhlman, M.S., _Technical Assistant in Extension_[1] Amal C. Banerjee, Ph.D., _Research Associate_[1] Jean G. Wilson, B.A., _Research Associate_[1] Ranu Banerjee, B.A., _Research Assistant_[1] Ayten Hatidoglu, B.S., _Research Assistant_[1] Keun S. Park, M.S., _Research Assistant_[1] Keturah Reinbold, M.S., _Research Assistant_[1]

Section of Faunistic Surveys and Insect Identification H. H. Ross, Ph.D., _Assistant Chief and Head_ Milton W. Sanderson, Ph.D., _Taxonomist_ Lewis J. Stannard, Jr., Ph.D., _Taxonomist_ Philip W. Smith, Ph.D., _Taxonomist_ Leonora K. Gloyd, M.S., _Associate Taxonomist_ Wallace E. LaBerge, Ph.D., _Associate Taxonomist_ Robert T. Allen, M.S., _Technical Assistant_ Bernice Sweeney, _Technical Assistant_ Bess White, A.B., _Technical Assistant_ John D. Unzicker, Ph.D., _Research Assistant_[1]

Section of Aquatic Biology George W. Bennett, Ph.D., _Aquatic Biologist and Head_ William C. Starrett, Ph.D., _Aquatic Biologist_ R. W. Larimore, Ph.D., _Aquatic Biologist_ David H. Buck, Ph.D., _Associate Aquatic Biologist_ Robert C. Hiltibran, Ph.D., _Associate Biochemist_ Donald F. Hansen, Ph.D., _Associate Aquatic Biologist_ William F. Childers, Ph.D., _Assistant Aquatic Biologist_ David L. Thomas, B.S., _Research Assistant_ Maryfran Martin, _Technical Assistant_ Claude Russell Rose, _Field Assistant_ Dennis Dooley, _Field Assistant_ Charles F. Thoits, III, B.A., _Research Associate_[1] David Krulac, _Project Assistant_[1]

Section of Applied Botany and Plant Pathology J. Cedric Carter, Ph.D., _Plant Pathologist and Head_ J. L. Forsberg, Ph.D., _Plant Pathologist_ Robert A. Evers, Ph.D., _Botanist_ Robert Dan Neely, Ph.D., _Plant Pathologist_ E. B. Himelick, Ph.D., _Plant Pathologist_ Walter Hartstirn, Ph.D., _Assistant Plant Pathologist_ D. F. Schoeneweiss, Ph.D., _Assistant Plant Pathologist_ David Russell Vance, _Technical Assistant_ Robert J. Slattery, B.S., _Technical Assistant_ Robert S. Perry, B.S., _Technical Assistant_ Betty S. Nelson, _Technical Assistant_ Sylvia P. Brockstein, M.S., _Technical Assistant_

Section of Wildlife Research Glen C. Sanderson, Ph.D., _Wildlife Specialist and Head_ F. C. Bellrose, B.S., _Wildlife Specialist_ H. C. Hanson, Ph.D., _Wildlife Specialist_ Richard R. Graber, Ph.D., _Wildlife Specialist_ Ronald F. Labisky, M.S., _Associate Wildlife Specialist_ William R. Edwards, M.S., _Associate Wildlife Specialist_ William W. Cochran, JR., _Assistant Wildlife Specialist_ Robert E. Greenberg, M.S., _Research Assistant_ Helen C. Schultz, M.A., _Technical Assistant_ Lucinda Janis, _Technical Assistant_ Robert D. Crompton, _Field Assistant_ Ronald Duzan, _Laboratory Assistant_ Mary Ann Johnson, _Laboratory Assistant_ William J. Francis, Ph.D., _Research Associate_[1] Jack A. Ellis, M.S., _Research Associate_[1] James A. Bailey, Ph.D., _Research Associate_[1] Gerald G. Montgomery, M.S., _Research Associate_[1] William L. Anderson, M.A., _Research Associate_[1] George B. Joselyn, M.S., _Research Associate_[1] Gerald L. Storm, M.S., _Field Ecologist_[1] Ronald L. Westemeier, B.S., _Research Associate_[1] Stanley L. Etter, M.S., _Research Assistant_[1] Robert E. Hawkins, B.S., _Research Assistant_[1] Jeffrey C. Hanson, M.S., _Research Assistant_[1] Keith T. Dauphin, _Project Assistant_[1]

Section of Publications and Public Relations Owen F. Glissendorf, M.S., _Technical Editor and Head_ Robert M. Zewadski, M.S., _Associate Technical Editor_ Nancy K. Ginzel, B.S., _Assistant Technical Editor_ Wilmer D. Zehr, _Technical Photographer_ William L. Taylor, _Technical Assistant_

Technical Library Doris F. Dodds, B.A., M.S.L.S., _Technical Librarian_ Patricia F. Stenstrom, B.A., M.S.L.S., _Assistant Technical Librarian_

CONSULTANTS: Herpetology, Hobart M. Smith, Ph.D., _Professor of Zoology, University of Illinois_; Parasitology, Norman D. Levine, Ph.D., _Professor of Veterinary Parasitology and Veterinary Research, University of Illinois_; Wildlife Research, Willard D. Klimstra, Ph.D., _Professor of Zoology and Director of Cooperative Wildlife Research, Southern Illinois University_; Statistics, Horace W. Norton, Ph.D., _Professor of Statistical Design and Analysis, University of Illinois_.

[1]Employed on cooperative projects with one of several agencies: University of Illinois, Illinois Agricultural Extension Service, Illinois Department of Conservation, National Science Foundation, United States Department of Agriculture, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, United States Public Health Service, and others.

_This paper is a contribution from the Section of Faunistic Surveys and Insect Identification._ (33711--10M--10-66)30

Where to Collect 1 What to Use 2 Nets 3 Killing Bottles 6 Aspirators or Suckers 9 Sifter 12 Berlese Funnel 12 Equipment for Collecting Aquatic Insects 16 How to Handle Unmounted Specimens 17 Temporary Cases 17 Relaxing Boxes and Jars 19 How to Mount and Preserve Specimens 20 Preservation by Pinning 20 Spreading Board for Moths and Butterflies 24 Preservation in Fluid 26 How to Label the Specimens 26 Housing the Collection Permanently 27 Insect Boxes 27 Precaution Against Pests 27 The Insect World 28 How to Identify Specimens 34 Synopsis of Illinois Insect Orders 35 Primitive Wingless Insects 35 Diplura 36 Protura 36 Collembola 36 Microcoryphia 36 Thysanura 38 Primitive Winged Insects 38 Ephemeroptera 38 Odonata 38 Folding-Wing Insects 40 Cursoria 42 Isoptera 43 Orthoptera 43 Dermaptera 44 Plecoptera 45 Zoraptera 45 Corrodentia 45 Phthiraptera 45 Mallophaga 47 Anoplura 47 Thysanoptera 47 Hemiptera 48 Megaloptera 52 Neuroptera 52 Coleoptera 53 Hymenoptera 54 Mecoptera 55 Trichoptera 57 Lepidoptera 58 Diptera 60 Siphonaptera 61 Relatives of Insects 62 Isopoda 62 Amphipoda 62 Scorpionida 64 Pseudoscorpionida 64 Phalangida 64 Araneida 65 Acarina 65 Diplopoda 66 Chilopoda 67 The State Insect Collection 67 Reports on Illinois Insects 69 Useful Books 70 How to Ship Specimens 70 Where to Buy Supplies 71

_Printed by Authority of the State of Illinois, Ch. 127. IRS, Par. 58.22._

HOW TO COLLECT AND PRESERVE INSECTS

H. H. ROSS

With rather simple equipment, the amateur as well as the trained entomologist can make a worthwhile collection of insects.

The making of such a collection may have educational and recreational as well as scientific values. Developing this hobby is one of the finest ways for students, especially those in agricultural districts, to become acquainted with the large number of injurious and beneficial insects that they encounter about the home and in the fields. High school classes in biology find excellent laboratory material in the many insects available for rearing and study. Both old and young collectors find a great deal of pleasure in working with the showy and beautiful insects, such as beetles, moths, and butterflies; the satisfaction derived comes both from having relaxation from the day's work and from making real contributions to scientific knowledge. Many entomological museums welcome the opportunity to examine carefully prepared and labeled collections. These collections supply distribution records for insect species, in addition to other information of value to technical entomologists. Also, the amateur collector profits from his contact with specialists who can help him identify his specimens and advise him at any stage of his work.

It is hoped that this circular will show how easy it is to make a start in insect collecting and will give the student helpful ideas on how and where to begin.

WHERE TO COLLECT

In late spring, in summer, and in early fall, insects are very abundant in fields and woods, and large numbers of them may be caught by sweeping through the grass and branches with a strong insect net. Flowers of all descriptions are favorite visiting places of many bees, flies, beetles, and other insects, and will afford good collecting. Woods along the banks of streams, open glades in deep woods, and brush along forest edges offer some of the best opportunities for collecting by the sweeping method.

In early spring, when insects can be taken only sparingly in the open, the collector frequently finds sheltered hollows where they may be caught in large numbers. A certain kind of insect may live only on a certain kind of plant, and to obtain the insect the collector must search or sweep the plant, called the host plant.

Many obscure places harbor insects seldom found elsewhere. Among these are leaf mold and debris on the surface of the soil, particularly in woods; rotten logs and stumps, which should be turned over to reveal insects that hide under or around them, and then carefully searched or torn apart for others that live inside; in, under, and around dead animals; under boards and stones.

Trees sometimes yield valuable specimens. If part of a tree, under which has been spread a large white sheet, is struck with a heavy, padded stick, many insects, such as weevils, will fall to the sheet and "play possum." They can be picked off quite easily.

Lights attract large numbers of certain nocturnal insects, such as June beetles and many kinds of moths; at night these insects may be collected at street or porch lights, on windows and screens of lighted rooms, or at light traps put up especially to attract them. Swarms of aquatic insects come to street lights of towns along rivers, sometimes in such numbers as to pile up in a crawling mass under each light. Collecting at this source is best on warm, cloudy nights; wind or cold keeps most nocturnal insects fairly inactive. Different species of moths and beetles visit the lights in different seasons so that collecting by this method alone yields many kinds of insects.

Insects that live in the water may be collected with heavy dip nets swept through the water at various levels and through the mud and debris at the bottom. In shallow water, many insects will be found if stones and logs are turned over and leaf tufts pulled apart.

In winter, insect galls or cocoons may be gathered. If these are placed in jars with cheesecloth covers tied over them, kept in a warm room, but away from radiators and all intense heat, many insects will emerge from them before spring.

WHAT TO USE

For making even a fairly large insect collection, only a small amount of equipment is required. A net and killing bottle are essential, and good work may be done with these alone. A greater variety of insects may be collected and with better results if a few more items are added to the list. Here is an outfit that will be found very satisfactory in the field.

1. A strong beating net for general sweeping and an additional light net to be used for moths and butterflies.

2. Killing bottles, several small and one or two large ones.

3. A pair of flexible forceps, 10 to 12 centimeters (about 4 to 5 inches) long, with slender prongs.

4. One or two camel's-hair brushes for picking up minute insects.

5. A few vials or small bottles containing fluid preservative.

6. Folded papers for butterflies.

7. A few small tins or boxes lined with cellucotton.

These items may be purchased from commercial supply houses such as those listed on page 71. Many items, however, may be made by the collector at nominal cost.

Nets

Nets are the most important items in the collecting kit of the entomologist. For this reason nets should be rigidly constructed and handled with care.

Construction.--Nets may easily be made at home. The necessary parts are a handle, a loop or ring to be attached to it, and a cloth bag to be hung from the loop, figs. 1 and 2. The handle should be strong and fairly light. At the net end, fig. 1_a_, a groove is cut down each side to receive the arms of the loop. The grooves are as deep as the thickness of the wire used in the loop; one groove is 3 inches long and the other 2½ inches; and each ends in a hole through the handle at right angles to the length.

The loop, fig. 1_b_, is made of steel wire, preferably three-eighths-inch piano wire, which if bent by rough usage springs back into shape and will stand a great deal of hard wear. The wire is shaped, as the figure shows, to form a loop with two straight arms, the tips of which are bent at right angles toward each other. The arms and hooks thus formed must be exactly long enough to fit along the grooves and into the holes in the handle. After the bag or net has been attached to the loop, and the wire has been fitted to the handle, the joint may either be wrapped tightly with wire, fig. 1_c_, or bound by a metal cylinder or ferrule slipped over the arms of the loop, fig. 1_d_.

The bag, about twice as long as the diameter of the loop, should be tapered at the bottom. It is made from four pieces of cloth, each cut in the shape of fig. 2_a_, and a narrow strip or band of stout muslin or light canvas, 2_b_, which is to bind the bag to the wire loop. The four pieces are sewed together to form a cone-shaped bag, and one edge of the band is sewed to the top edge of the bag.

The bag may be attached to the wire loop in either of two ways. The band may be folded over the loop and sewed so that the attachment is permanent; or it may be folded over, sewed, and then slipped on the loop before the latter is fastened to the handle. In the latter case the bag must be open along one seam just below the handle a sufficient distance to allow the band to slip on and around the loop; this vent may be closed with a string lacing after the net is on the loop, and the whole fastened to the handle. A combination of this arrangement with a ferrule binding the loop to the handle is most convenient, for it allows the bag to be removed at will and a lighter or heavier one substituted according to the needs of the collector.

_General Purpose Net._--Loop, heavy wire, 12 inches in diameter; bag, strong unbleached muslin or light duck, 20 to 24 inches long; handle, hardwood stick, 24 to 30 inches long.

_Butterfly Net._--As above but with a longer handle and a bag of good quality marquisette or fine nylon netting.

_Combination Net._--A net that includes the features and uses of the two nets described above and is a better collecting instrument may be conveniently made instead, although at slightly higher cost because of the better materials. Its loop, of 7½ gauge (three-eighths inch) piano wire, is 15 inches in diameter and allows a greater area to be covered with each sweep. The bag, of finest bolter's silk or best quality marquisette, is 24 inches long and serves equally well for the capture of delicate insects and for beating. The handle, of straight-grained hickory or ash, is 40 inches long and permits the collector to cover greater areas in sweeping. If a cheaper net is desired, one of unbleached muslin will be satisfactory for general use.

Care and Use.--All nets are easily ripped and for this reason should be kept away from barbed wire and from thorny trees, such as locust and red haw. Also, they should be kept dry. Moisture rots the fabric, making it more easily torn. Most insects caught in a net while it is wet are unfit for a collection.

Flowers, herbs, and boughs should be swept with a sidewise motion. A sidewise sweep will collect more insects than an upward or downward sweep and at the same time mutilate less. If care is taken not to damage flowers or foliage, the same patch of plants may be visited several times with profit. The contents of the bag should be removed after every few sweeps or strokes. This practice will prevent damage to the insects caused by being jostled about in the net with a large amount of debris.

Killing Bottles

The best killing agents for use in bottles are either potassium cyanide or calcium cyanide. These compounds give a concentration of deadly fumes sufficient to kill most insects in a very short time, which is desirable. Generally, two sizes of bottles are used, and in either of them one of these cyanides may give good results. Only a small supply should be purchased at a time, as they deteriorate rapidly.