livingplanet3 wrote: ↑Sat Aug 06, 2022 6:07 pm
Panacanthus wrote: ↑Mon Aug 01, 2022 1:01 am
Just thought I'd add some beetles since there are so few in this section of the forum! Not terribly rare but these are somewhat unique specimens.
Very recently spread the first two males and added them to a large wall display...
All very choice specimens indeed! How do you keep large beetles such as these in place; they don't appear to be pinned?
All of these beetles are located in a “display” which hangs on the wall. For such a display, I typically “snip” off the pin (very carefully and safely of course!!) within 1/16” or so of the beetle. There are even a few specimens which only have a pin protruding through the bottom - kind of tricky and I don’t often do that. Basically, for a display, the pin is the “safety anchor”, and then a bit of glue holds them to the “board” and also prevents turning. I use 1/2” foamboard which is then covered in a thick, textured acid free paper.
Also, I always pin though the most inconspicuous location possible. Therefore, you won’t always see a pin coming through in the typical “scientific” location. It depends on the pattern of the beetle. In these photos it’s very difficult to find the pins, and again, some are only protruding from the bottom. I have always pinned my beetles with aesthetics being my first priority. The more scientific collectors would frown on this but it’s just my personal preference!
Although I typically don’t ever remove or switch out beetles in such a display, it actually is possible to remove them IF for some reason I ever decide to do so. In the past I have used epoxy as the “glue”, but I found over the years that it sometimes let’s go (hence the importance of a pin). I now use silicone (like the clear aquarium sealant) and so far I like it a lot. It holds well, but if needed, with a little effort, you can peel it off the specimen. Even a specimen held with epoxy can be removed though. Still, I generally consider wall displays to be “permanent”.
Another member expressed interest in seeing the whole display, so I will post a photo of it, hopefully within the next week or so…..most likely in the insect artwork category.