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Insect templates are a great way to create eye-catching and fun crafts, artwork, or even educational materials. Whether you’re a teacher, a parent, or just someone looking to add a touch of creativity to your projects, knowing how to make insect templates can be both enjoyable and useful. By using templates, you can easily replicate the intricate details and designs of different insects, allowing you to explore the world of bugs without having to draw them from scratch. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps of creating your own insect templates, including choosing the right materials, finding inspiration, and mastering the art of tracing and cutting. So, let’s get started on this creative journey and unlock your inner artist while delving into the fascinating world of insects!
This article was co-written by Samuel Ramsey, PhD. Samuel Ramsey is an entomologist and research specialist with the United States Department of Agriculture. Ramsey has extensive knowledge of symbiosis and research into insect disease spread, parasitic behavior, mutualistic development, biological control, invasive species ecology, insect receptor health pollen and pest control. He holds a bachelor’s degree in entomology from Cornell University and a doctorate in entomology from the University of Maryland. Ramsey’s research on bees has allowed researchers to develop targeted control techniques to restore honey bee populations worldwide. He also hosts a YouTube series called “Dr. Buggs.”
This article has been viewed 19,805 times.
Insects are fascinating and complex creatures. Many people have a hobby of making insect specimens. Insects are often preserved for the purposes of identification and scientific research or for personal preference. Whether it’s finding the carcass of an insect outdoors or indoors or planning to handle a live one yourself, you have a variety of methods for making insect specimens. Soft-bodied insects such as caterpillars and larvae are often preserved with rubbing alcohol. Hardy insects – especially butterflies, moths, bees and beetles – are preserved by pinning. If the insect has an exoskeleton, the best treatment is a pin to dry the specimen.
Steps
Preserving insects in rubbing alcohol
![Image titled Preserve Insects Step 1](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/f/f4/Preserve-Insects-Step-1-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Preserve-Insects-Step-1-Version-2.jpg)
- Most rubbing alcohol is a 70% solution – this concentration is suitable for insect preservation. A higher concentration of rubbing alcohol – 80 or 85% – is also good, as some insects should be stored in a high concentration of alcohol. [1] XResearch Source
- For example, some animals that should be soaked in high concentrations of alcohol are: spiders, scorpions, earthworms and small insects such as lice and silver beetles. [2] XResearch Source
- Make sure the glass jar has a tight-fitting lid and doesn’t have any gaps.
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- You can also trap insects yourself using a variety of methods, such as catching butterflies or moths with a butterfly racket. [3] XSources of Research Some people are against the ethical practice of killing insects for the sake of specimens, but traps are an effective way to obtain dead insects.
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- There are many useful websites that can help you identify the insect. [4] XResearch Resources You can check out BugGuide.net or InsectIdentification.org. before. If these sites don’t help you, try contacting your local entomologist.
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- If the insect has a stinger (honey bee, wasp) or is venomous, you should wear latex gloves when handling it.
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- Cover the jar tightly and store it in a safe place. If you’re going to do a large collection, it’s best to set aside a tabletop for displaying specimen vials.
- Keep insect jars away from food, children, and pets.
Preserve insects in hand sanitizer
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- Use a jar large enough for the insect to float in without wasting hand sanitizer.
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- If it’s a delicate insect such as a honey bee or wasp, be very careful not to break the insect’s wings or body when submerging it in the gel.
- Harder and larger insects – such as butterflies – can be difficult to store in hand sanitizer, as the gel can break their parts. While other hardy insects can be preserved in hand sanitizer, you should look for ones that don’t have wings or a delicate protruding antennae.
![Image titled Preserve Insects Step 8](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/2/2e/Preserve-Insects-Step-8-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Preserve-Insects-Step-8-Version-2.jpg)
- Don’t let water get into the bottle so the hand sanitizer doesn’t get diluted.
- Many people think that the air bubbles in hand sanitizer look unsightly and distracting when they are observing the insect, but if you don’t mind the bubbles, you can skip this step.
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- These vials can be displayed in museums or other events, and can be picked up by children (under adult supervision). [8] XResearch Sources
Pin the insect template
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- Insect specimens are also often pinned on cork instead of foam board.
- Both pins and styrofoam (or cork) boards are available at craft stores or biomaterials companies, such as BioQuip. You can also buy these pins and foam sheets from online retailers, including Amazon.
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- Most hard-shelled insects will stay moist enough for 3 days. Larger bugs take at least 5 days. You can check daily; When the insect’s legs can be moved easily, the requirements are met.
- The slide can get wet if you use too much alcohol or just use a tissue, or leave it on for too long. This may cause the specimen to degrade or rot. You can avoid this by lining up extra layers of dry towels to separate the insects from the wet towels.
- If your insect starts to show signs of deterioration, you can still save it. Do not pick up the insect. Take out the dry paper with the insect on it and wait for it to dry, then try rehydrating it when it’s no longer wet.
![Image titled Preserve Insects Step 12](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/8/81/Preserve-Insects-Step-12.jpg/v4-728px-Preserve-Insects-Step-12.jpg)
- For the beetle, pin it in the center of its right coat. [11] XResearch Source
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- If not framed, you can preserve the specimen by storing it in a drawer or set of drawers, or even in a wooden cigar box. Put a few mothballs in the box to prevent scavengers. [13] XResearch Source
Butterfly template pin
![Image titled Preserve Insects Step 16](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/9/90/Preserve-Insects-Step-16.jpg/v4-728px-Preserve-Insects-Step-16.jpg)
- DO NOT use regular tweezers. You can tear the butterfly’s wings if you use tweezers that don’t have flat ends.
![Image titled Preserve Insects Step 17](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/b/b5/Preserve-Insects-Step-17.jpg/v4-728px-Preserve-Insects-Step-17.jpg)
- Make sure the foam board is wide enough to pin the butterfly spreading its wings.
- Insects are also often mounted on cork or cork instead of foam board.
- Make your own or purchase a template pin board that has a V-shaped surface so the butterfly wings form a diagonal angle. This type of board is best to buy, but you can also make your own. If you like making wooden boards, you need to be careful that the wood glue doesn’t get in the way of the delicate insect pins.
- Both pins and styrofoam (or cork boards) are available at craft stores or companies that sell biomaterials such as BioQuip. Staples and foam sheets can also be purchased at online retailers, including Amazon and Butterfly Company.
![Image titled Preserve Insects Step 18](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/d/d4/Preserve-Insects-Step-18.jpg/v4-728px-Preserve-Insects-Step-18.jpg)
- You should prepare some extra paper tape just in case.
![Image titled Preserve Insects Step 19](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/4/47/Preserve-Insects-Step-19.jpg/v4-728px-Preserve-Insects-Step-19.jpg)
- Small butterflies (1-5cm) may only need 1 day to rehydrate. Medium sized butterflies (2.5-8 cm) will take a few days, while large butterflies can take up to 5 days. You can test it by opening the butterfly’s wings. Use tweezers to separate the two wings of the butterfly in the gap just above its head. If you feel resistance, you need to wait a little longer. If you start pinning and the upper wings of the butterfly are not completely flat, it needs to be continued to be rehydrated.
- If you use too much alcohol, or just use a paper towel or leave it too long, the insect can get wet and cause the specimen to degrade or rot. If this happens, the slide is too badly damaged to be stapled. You can avoid this by separating the insect from the wet towel with layers of dry towels.
- If the insect’s condition begins to deteriorate, you may still be able to fix it. Do not lift the butterfly. Take the surface to place the butterfly on and leave it out to dry. Consider the butterfly. If you find its wings stick together, you can try to separate them with tweezers and insert a wax paper tape between the butterfly wings until dry. Try rehydrating again after the butterfly is completely dry.
![Image titled Preserve Insects Step 20](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/7/76/Preserve-Insects-Step-20.jpg/v4-728px-Preserve-Insects-Step-20.jpg)
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- If you can’t separate the butterfly’s wings with tweezers, don’t try to push the wax paper down from the top. This most likely causes the butterfly wing tips to fold or tear. Try skating from the front (just above the butterfly’s head), as there will often be space between the wings at the shoulder joint.
![Image titled Preserve Insects Step 22](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/7/7a/Preserve-Insects-Step-22.jpg/v4-728px-Preserve-Insects-Step-22.jpg)
- When you start pinning and the upper wings do not lie completely flat, it needs to be rehydrated. Do not press down on the butterfly wings as they may break. You can leave the tapes in between the butterfly wings while rehydrating.
- If the butterfly wings slip off, pull on the wax tapes and pin them diagonally. Pin the needle so that it tilts away from the butterfly body. This way, the tapes will be stapled more firmly.
![Image titled Preserve Insects Step 23](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/1/11/Preserve-Insects-Step-23.jpg/v4-728px-Preserve-Insects-Step-23.jpg)
- Remember to hold the butterfly wing while adjusting the position of the other wing on the same side.
- Some butterflies have thick veins towards the tips of the wings. If you don’t have flat-tipped tweezers, you can pull the butterfly’s wings out using a pin against this tendon. Do not pin the butterfly’s wings lest they puncture the wings. Pull the butterfly to the side and pin it in place as usual.
- You should wear gloves when working, because oil on the skin of the hands can remove the scales on the butterfly’s wings. If your hands are sweaty, the scales on the butterfly wings can be washed away, even through gloves and wax paper. You should regularly dry your hands.
![Image titled Preserve Insects Step 24](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/a/aa/Preserve-Insects-Step-24.jpg/v4-728px-Preserve-Insects-Step-24.jpg)
![Image titled Preserve Insects Step 25](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/2/23/Preserve-Insects-Step-25.jpg/v4-728px-Preserve-Insects-Step-25.jpg)
- If you’re doing a collection of insect specimens, you may want to use foam board or wide cork to allow room to expand the collection.
- Protect pinned insects by storing them in a drawer or set of drawers, even in a cigar box. Add mothballs to the box to prevent scavengers. [16] XResearch Source
Advice
- Place insect specimens out of direct sunlight to prevent color fading.
- Do not attempt to correct the insect’s posture without rehydrating it, as the insect’s legs will break.
- Be gentle with insects. They are more fragile than you think!
- Always wash your hands before and after handling insects.
- Never inhale the vapors of cleaning alcohol.
This article was co-written by Samuel Ramsey, PhD. Samuel Ramsey is an entomologist and research specialist with the United States Department of Agriculture. Ramsey has extensive knowledge of symbiosis and research into insect disease spread, parasitic behavior, mutualistic development, biological control, invasive species ecology, insect receptor health pollen and pest control. He holds a bachelor’s degree in entomology from Cornell University and a doctorate in entomology from the University of Maryland. Ramsey’s research on bees has allowed researchers to develop targeted control techniques to restore honey bee populations worldwide. He also hosts a YouTube series called “Dr. Buggs.”
This article has been viewed 19,805 times.
Insects are fascinating and complex creatures. Many people have a hobby of making insect specimens. Insects are often preserved for the purposes of identification and scientific research or for personal preference. Whether it’s finding the carcass of an insect outdoors or indoors or planning to handle a live one yourself, you have a variety of methods for making insect specimens. Soft-bodied insects such as caterpillars and larvae are often preserved with rubbing alcohol. Hardy insects – especially butterflies, moths, bees and beetles – are preserved by pinning. If the insect has an exoskeleton, the best treatment is a pin to dry the specimen.
In conclusion, creating insect templates is a fun and simple way to engage in artistic activities while incorporating learning about different insects. By following the steps mentioned above, one can easily make their own insect templates using materials readily available at home. These templates can be used for a variety of purposes, including educational activities, scrapbooking, or even as decorations. The process of creating insect templates not only encourages creativity and fine motor skills but also provides an opportunity to explore the diverse world of insects. So, whether it is a school project or a weekend activity with kids, making insect templates is an enjoyable and educational endeavor for all ages, allowing us to appreciate the fascinating world of insects in a creative way.
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