How to spread a pepsis tarantula hawk wasp ?

[wollastoni]

Hello

I have caught several impressive Pepsis wasps in French Guiana ! They are a thrill to see flying and to catch ! Putting them in the cyanide jar is also "sport", as you don't want to get stung by these impressive wasps.

Any idea on how to spread them and get this perfect results for wings and legs ?


I mean : if I use a spreading board for the wings, the legs won't be well placed.
And if I don't use any board to be able to correctly place the legs, the wings won't be well spread.

If anyone has succesful experience in spreading these tarantula hawk wasps, I would be happy to get their insights before trying to spread them myself.

Thank you
Olivier

[chulrich]

How about spreading them upside down? Of course this would not work so well with a traditional spreading board, but you could construct something easily with styrofoam and spread the wings first with the pepsis lying on its back. After that putting the legs into position.... Just an idea. Good luck, Christof

[Paul K]

I did not spread too many wasp only few as i don't collect them, but what I did was using the sheet of styrofoam and i pinned small rectangle shaped two pieces right under where the wings should be. Then you can spread legs as you would for the beetles on the main sheet and wings after all on the side attached small pieces of styrofoam as for lepidoptera. Im not sure if this is the right technic but it works for me.

[58chevy]

Somebody posted a successful method of doing this in the old forum. I don't remember who it was.

[Panacanthus]

I did not spread too many wasp only few as i don't collect them, but what I did was using the sheet of styrofoam and i pinned small rectangle shaped two pieces right under where the wings should be. Then you can spread legs as you would for the beetles on the main sheet and wings after all on the side attached small pieces of styrofoam as for lepidoptera. Im not sure if this is the right technic but it works for me.

This is exactly how I prepare almost any specimen which has legs and wings which both need to be spread nicely. Beetles with their wings open, Orthoptera, Phasmids, etc. It can produce exceptional results. You just need the right thickness of styrofoam for under the wings, and to cut it into the ideal shape to fit between the legs but still support the wings.

[wollastoni]

Thank you all for your help, I really appreciate !

An American friend sent me this picture which is pretty clear !

spreading-pepsis-wasp.jpg (193.28 KiB) Viewed 410 times

It looks fun ... and not so easy to make things perfect ! I will do my best !

[Paul K]

is that hand of toddler? or this wasp is huge !!!!
I was in many places in the tropics but i have never encounter one like this.

BTW, yes that's the way I spread those.

[boghaunter1]

Posted previously in an older insectnet forum... same mounting method as others have described. A large Pepsis (105mm wingspan) personally collected in Feb.,1990 in Costa Rica:

IMG_4323 (Custom).JPG (111.94 KiB) Viewed 389 times

John K.

[boghaunter1]

Two additional specimens from different orders spread with foam under wings. A Giant Water Bug (Lethocerus - purchased) from French Guiana - 120mm & 200mm+ wingspan:

2014 Phone Photos 009 (Medium).jpg (112.14 KiB) Viewed 386 times

A Megasoma acteon (purchased) with spread wings:

2014 Phone Photos 056 (Medium).jpg (106.52 KiB) Viewed 386 times

John K.

[Trehopr1]

Here is a photograph of my spin on this topic.
I utilize a series of several "stacked" / neatly-cut 2x2
glass strips. In this situation, this large robber fly
required 4 stacked pieces under each wing with
another laid (on top) for weight.

I brace pin all those beneath the wings and allow
space for the the top one to rest. I use a fine #1
pin-head to glide the wings ACROSS the glass and into
place.

Depending on the specimen I occasionally place my glass
stacks at angles (much as the styrofoam) is placed. It all
depends on how or where I want the legs to fall in position.



Once your specimen is set (as such) it needs to be left a
good 4 weeks (minimum) or up to 6 for the wings to lay
flat nicely. Taken off too soon will result in "droopy-wings".

[Trehopr1]

Well done indeed John !