Entomological equipment for mounting and storage

Though there is no international authority mandating standards for the collection and preservation of specimens of insects and similar invertebrates, entomology has been an amateur and scientific activity for over two centuries. During this period practices varied widely and in many respects commonly differed greatly from modern practice. However, by the mid-twentieth century a range of technique and of equipment had emerged that amount to a de facto standard. Although there is some flexibility concerning the details, practitioners who diverge too widely from that standard are likely to find their work ignored as unacceptable anywhere in the modern world. One beneficial effect of the standard is that equipment and supplies have become available for practically any aspect of collection, preservation and documentation of specimens.

The best-known format for insect collection is dry mounting and labelling on pins, and for many types of specimen this is likely to remain so for the foreseeable future. Pinning is a range of techniques for which the equipment has changed only slightly in recent decades but it is not the only one of importance in entomology. Other means of mounting include:

Research into improved methods of presentation and handling continues, each requiring its own equipment.

As an exception to this standard, there also are pins of size 7, extra-long and very strong pins for very large beetles; they are 52mm long and thicker than size 6 pins.

Martin, J.E.H. 1977. Collecting, preparing and preserving insects, mites, and spiders. The Insects and Arachnids of Canada, Part 1. Publ. 1643, Res. Br., Canada Dep. Agric., Ottawa, ON.

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