Pinning.
You will need to pin almost all of your specimens as part of the appropriate preparation of the
specimens. In Table 47.1 (Chapter 47, page 648), there is a discussion of the appropriate
preparation of different groups of insects, either pinning the specimens or keeping the specimens
in alcohol. I would suggest you pin some groups for which the table suggests otherwise, such as
the Ephemeroptera (Mayflies), Plecoptera (Stoneflies), and Trichoptera (Caddisflies). The end
result is that you will end up pinning most everything you collect.

The pins you will be using are Insect Pins, which you will be given. Do NOT use regular
straight pins, or you will get points taken off. The insect pin must be inserted vertically through
the body of the insect. However, you can= t just insert the pin anywhere; there is an appropriate
position for the insect pin, and it differs a bit from group to group (though it always goes through
some region of the thorax, usually to the right of the midline). See Figure 47.10 (page 649 in
Chapter 47) and the attached diagrams on this handout for positioning of pins for different groups.
I personally prefer to pin bees and wasps also to the right of the midline, unlike what is
shown in Figure 47.10 f.

Butterflies and moths, and sometimes other insects as well, may require additional work to
prepare the specimens. These insects with large, showy wings, especially if there are
distinguishing features on the wings, need to be spread, with the wings flat and positioned
appropriately. This will be demonstrated in class. Other groups, such as dragonflies, owlflies,
dobsonflies, etc., with large wings can be spread as well. Grasshoppers are sometimes half
spread, so that one side shows what the grasshopper looks like at rest, and the other side shows
the wing features. This will also be demonstrated in class.

Truly tiny insects are often stored in alcohol, as previously suggested. However, many
tiny insects that do not shrivel when dried can be pointed. Since these insects are too small to
have a pin stuck through them, a paper point is put on the pin, and a tiny drop of glue applied to
the end of the paper point.  Then the paper point is touched to the left side of the thorax of the
tiny insect (see figure 47.12, pg. 650, chap. 47). This, too, will be demonstrated in class.
The reason for pointing a specimen is that it is easier to examine under a microscope than a
specimen that is stored in a vial of alcohol.

Labeling.
A specimen without a label is only good for studying anatomy; it is useless to study
distribution, ecology, etc. Indeed, some entomologists would say the most important thing
about a specimen is the data on the label, not the quality of the specimen.

An appropriate label should have as specific location information as you can get, starting
with the state (or country), then county (or other appropriate division), then specific location. If
you happen to be GPS system inclined, then as precise a longitude and latitude as you can get is
appropriate to put on the label.  The program Google Earth can be used to find precise latitude
and longitude coordinates, as well as altitude -- I'll demonstrate the use of this program in
class. Also included must be the date the insect was collected and the collector. Please put all
of this information on the first label. Additional labels can be added if the specimen was, for
instance, reared from the caterpillar stage. Other labels could include time of day collected, what
the specimen was collected on, if it was collected at lights or in a trap, etc. But at a minimum,
you must have location, date and collector.

With today= s computers, it is easy to make labels. You will need to get some card stock
paper, preferably acid free, on which to print the labels; I can provide you with some if you need
me to. Then you can construct the label (for Dalton as an example) as follows:

    GEORGIA: Whitfield Co.
    Dalton, at lights
    Sept. 3, 2004
    James K. Adams

Even this label is marginally acceptable. "Dalton" is pretty big. Understand that a label with
"GEORGIA: Atlanta" on it really isn't helpful at all! The following is a more specific, and
therefore more helpful, label:

     GEORGIA: Emanuel Co.
    Ohoopee Dunes Natural Area
    Tract 3, 0.5 mile N of Hall’s Bridge
    Rd., E of Little Ohoopee River
    32̊ 32'08" N, 82̊ 27'32" W
    Open oak/dune habitat, light trap
    May 14, 2004; James K. Adams

Six to seven lines is about as many lines as is appropriate on one label.  It is okay to divide
the locality information into two labels (especially with lat-long coordinates included or any
information on rearing).  Use an easy to read font and 5 point size print.

The other required label you will have on each specimen this semester is the identification
label. Normally, this would have the species name on it, but we are beginners in this class and
you will need only the order and family on the label. An example for a butterfly follows:

    Order: Lepidoptera
    Family: Papilionidae (Swallowtails)

So, if you collected a swallowtail in Dalton, your final labels would at a minimum look like:

    GEORGIA: Whitfield Co.                          Order: Lepidoptera
    Dalton, Sept. 3, 2004                                  Family: Papilionidae
    [Your name]                                                 (Swallowtails)

Also be aware if you collected several individuals in one location on one day, it is easy to simply
copy the one data label and make multiple copies in a very short period of time.

Remember: each specimen will be worth THREE points -- one point for appropriate preparation
(pinning), one for the appropriate collection info label, and one for correct identification of order
and family.