2.2.3-Specimen
Preparation
Two
types of killing agents were used to kill insects before being mounted:
2.2.3.1-Cyanide
Killing Jars
Cyanide
is a very hazardous chemical but in some cases it is preferred than other
chemicals because it lasts for
weeks or months depending on the frequency of opening the Jar. The killing jars
were made by placing a thin layer of cyanide mixture (Potassium Cyanide and
Sodium Cyanide) on the bottom of a clean and dry jar. This was then covered
with a thicker layer of sawdust or dry plaster, followed by a similar layer of
wet plaster, and was allowed to dry.
2.2.3.2-Ethyl
Acetate Killing Jars
A
thick layer (2-3 cm) of plaster was poured into clean jars of different sizes,
and allowed to air dry at room temperature. When completely dry, enough Ethyl
acetate was added to saturate the plaster, and any access ethyl acetate was
drained back. The killing jar was recharged after several hours of use,
depending on how often and how long the cover was removed. This type of killing
jars is safer than the cyanide killing Jars.
2.2.4-Preserving
specimens
After
collecting the specimens using the different methods and techniques, the
collections were sorted and preserved for further identification processes.
Several methods were used to preserve insects depending on the structure and
physiology of the insect. Hard - bodied and sufficiently large insects were
usually pinned using special entomological pins of different sizes. Pinning is
usually vertical through the body, so when the pin is vertical the insect is
horizontal on the fixation polystyrene board, keeping the hind and mid legs
back, while front legs forward before allowed to dry. Insects that are not
pinned were mounted on entomological cards or placed temporarily or permanently
in 75% alcohol. Small Lepidoptera (Moths) were preserved in Petri-dishes.
Winged insects that have patterns and colours that are always important in
identification were commonly spread on pinning board so as to be easily studied
and identified.
2.2.5-Organising
the Collection
Dry,
pinned specimens were transferred into special entomological boxes. The
specimens were sorted according to putative species and to morphological
similarities and then transferred to the University of Jordan Insects Museum
for accurate identification.
Invasion
of dermistid beetles, and other museum pests might destroy the whole
collection. To protect the collection from these pests, which are attracted to
the fresh smell of dead insects, Naphthalene balls were used to repel pests
from attacking the collection. Another prophylactic choice was to put table
stands, on which the collection was placed, in cups or containers filled with
detergent to prevent pests and ants from crawling up.
