How to Pin a Lepidopteran at Home

Written by, Samantha Hunter

Step 1: Obtaining a specimen

Specimens can be obtained in a variety of ways, including here on the BicBugs website. Specimens can be shipped flat in a wax-paper protective seal, leaving the styling to the individual (step 2.1). Specimens can also be collected outside in non-protected areas, by hand, with a net, or trap. When collecting specimens outside it is possible to obtain a butterfly dead or alive. When dead or dying, you will typically find the insect laying on the ground. If alive, the insect must be humanely euthanized prior to pinning (step 2.2). The longer the insect has been laying on the ground, the more damage it may have collected. 

Step 2.1: Removing the Insect from the Wax paper

Carefully peel the paper from the bug, instead of pulling the bug from the paper. Use scissors instead of pulling when needed. The specimen is delicate and should be handled carefully, with special attention paid to the wings, legs, and antennae.

Step 2.2: Freezing the Insect

If the specimen has been collected alive- there is the issue of humanely freezing or otherwise euthanizing the insect. It is typically recommended as the kinder option to freeze specimens. Frozen insects will be ready to pin within 24 hours. Once confirmed deceased and thawed, you may proceed into the next step.

Step 3: Rehydrating the Insect

In some cases the insect needs to be rehydrated, typically when collected dead and air-dried, or purchased in a wax-papered format. When the insect is too brittle to pin, rehydrating is necessary- otherwise joints and delicate body parts may snap. Rehydration can be performed by placing a dampened paper towel and the insect in an airtight tupperware container to absorb moisture. Allow the insect to sit in the container for a few hours up to a day, elevated so as to not directly come into contact with the moisture (I used torn cardboard rolls to elevate the specimens). Be careful not to leave the container brewing for too long, as the specimens may start to mold and mildew.

Step 4: Pinning the Body

Place an insect pin in the center of the butterfly’s abdomen; if you own a butterfly mounting board, pin the body at a lower elevation than the wings in the long divot (see photo). A structure of this sort can also be constructed from reused Styrofoam for a similar effect. If neither of these options are possible, the insect may be pinned on a flat permeable surface. To speak to the DIY nature of pinning with what one has available, I am simply utilizing insect pins and a bulletin board in absence of Styrofoam and other professional materials. The moth I am pinning is a Virginian Tiger Moth, Spilosoma virginica.

Step 5: Pinning the Wings

Once the body is pinned, the wings are next. The pins never need to be directly poked through the delicate membrane of the wings, as this often leads to tearing. Instead, we can utilize wax paper to plaster the wings down without damaging their scales. The wax paper can be cut into thin strips and pinned vertically above and below the wings, so that the wings are in a position the entomologist is satisfied with. Pinning on the wax paper as near to the wing as possible will hold the specimen down tightly.

Optional: Antennae!

Some lepidopterans, such as large moths, have beautiful and intricate antennae that you may wish to draw attention to. If this is the case, pins can be secured in a “x” formation in order to hold the antennae in place.

Step 6: Dehydrating the Insect

Once the insect is pinned in a manner you are pleased with, allow it to rest in position for at least 24 hours. If the pins are removed too soon, the insect will not stiffen in place correctly. This is a long and tedious process that will result in a pristine subject well worth the wait!

Step 7: Labeling

If you own a pinning block, it will be helpful to standardize the height of the attached labels. When labeling, it is best to use a heavy cardstock and write legibly in black ink. Small rectangular cuts of paper should be used, pierced underneath and parallel to the specimen. On the top label- Include locality information such as City and State or the GPS coordinates from collection. Include the date (month/year), and the name of the collector. On the bottom label include taxonomic identity Family (uppermost), and Genus and species (bottommost). If there is additional information you wish to include, you may add another label bottommost, and scribe any details such as habitat or collection method that may be useful.