Dry Preservation (Pinning)

Small Insects

Small insects of house fly size or less are mounted on small pieces of card by pointing, carding or staging.

• Pointing is gluing the insect to the tip of a triangle of white card which is then mounted on a pin. Place a small amount of glue onto the point of the card and then touch this to the underside of the insect.
• Carding uses rectangular pieces of card either 20X9 mm or 14X5 mm to provide a stage for the insect. Glue the insect to the middle of the card. This is the preferable method as the card protects the insect.
• Staging involves pinning the insect with a very small headless pin called a minuten. The minuten is then mounted on a small piece of entomological foam pinned on a Number 3 pin.