Northern Walkingstick (Diapheromera femorata)
Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2024 5:55 pm
Here I have a specimen that not many undertake
working-up. What few specimens I have seen in
private collections normally have their legs and
antennae bunched-up close to the sides of the body.
Yes, this indeed avoids breakeage and at the same
time saves on space. However, its rather un-flattering
in its appearance for such a magnificent creature.
Recently, I ran across this fellow whilst in the field.
I have not seen one of these "old men of the woods"
in a great many years. As a person of un-waving insect
appreciation who always has both eyes wide open in the
field; well, their camouflage and adaptive habits certainly
serve them well at blending-in --- in plain sight.
Here my specimen is posed in a walking stance with
his antennae facing forward. The body of this species is
(at best) the width of a small thin "sipping straw" for mixed
drinks. A small 000 size pin worked well as a centered pin.
All other pins are only for support of the legs/antennae
and their respective angles.
I have prepared 3 others like this in the distant past and
I pin them in drawers utilizing plastazoate foam. I did
prove to myself that I still have "the touch" for fine insect
taxidermy despite the passage of many years....
Once he is fully dried with bracing pins removed
I will present him in another photograph.
working-up. What few specimens I have seen in
private collections normally have their legs and
antennae bunched-up close to the sides of the body.
Yes, this indeed avoids breakeage and at the same
time saves on space. However, its rather un-flattering
in its appearance for such a magnificent creature.
Recently, I ran across this fellow whilst in the field.
I have not seen one of these "old men of the woods"
in a great many years. As a person of un-waving insect
appreciation who always has both eyes wide open in the
field; well, their camouflage and adaptive habits certainly
serve them well at blending-in --- in plain sight.
Here my specimen is posed in a walking stance with
his antennae facing forward. The body of this species is
(at best) the width of a small thin "sipping straw" for mixed
drinks. A small 000 size pin worked well as a centered pin.
All other pins are only for support of the legs/antennae
and their respective angles.
I have prepared 3 others like this in the distant past and
I pin them in drawers utilizing plastazoate foam. I did
prove to myself that I still have "the touch" for fine insect
taxidermy despite the passage of many years....
Once he is fully dried with bracing pins removed
I will present him in another photograph.