[Nhcoll-l] wax, butterflies in stores, and food prep

[Bob Glotzhober]

I concur with James on the sale of insects -- alive or dead. Aside from the local ecological impact of releases of butterflies -- and commercialization is a concern. Scientific collection of insects almost never threatens populations -- but as soon as you start selling insects (dead or alive) there is a push to collect as many as you can -- with no concern regarding scientific data or the ecological impact. Compare the commercialization of selling insects with past market hunting of things like bison or passenger pigeons. It does not bode well for the species involved.

Bob 

Robert C. Glotzhober
Senior Curator of Natural History
Ohio Historical Society
800 E. 17th Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43211-2474
Ph. 614-298-2054
e-Mail: bglotzhober at ohiohistory.org 



-----Original Message-----
From: nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Bryant, James
Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2012 12:47 PM
To: Fran Ritchie; nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] wax, butterflies in stores, and food prep

The IMLS "Connecting to Collections" project recently held a webinar on museum special events. The webinar's supporting documents are available at http://www.connectingtocollections.org/eventsrecording/ 

 Regarding insect sales, the first people to contact would be USDA APHIS. As restrictive as USDA can be about "butterfly house" displays, I'd be rather surprised if they would permit a retail version. Beyond that, there a variety of professional and environmental considerations: e.g. many lepidopterists frown on the popular forms of butterfly releases, as it typically introduces insects foreign to a particular locality or region. Personally, commoditizing wildlife of any kind - even invertebrates - is a negative thing, and ultimately leads to huge complications for all concerned (e.g. the abalone controversy here in California).

James M. Bryant
Curator of Natural History
Museum Department, City of Riverside
3580 Mission Inn Avenue
Riverside, CA 92501
(951) 826-5273
(951) 369-4970 FAX
jbryant at riversideca.gov
From: nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Fran Ritchie
Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2012 10:11 AM
To: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] wax, butterflies in stores, and food prep

Karen, 
 
A thought on your first question:  The Peabody Museum at Harvard casts thin sheets of silicone rubber onto silicone release mylar (polyester film).  Once the rubber has set, pieces can be cut to desired shape and size. The silicone might be able to provide the bit of traction needed to hold the eggs in place, with no danger of depositing a residue onto their surface.  
 
Good luck,
 
Fran Ritchie
franritchie at gmail.com
Third Year Graduate Intern, Buffalo State College Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology

Dear List,

The Perot Museum of Nature and Science has officially been open to the public for two and half weeks, and like any new institution we are encountering new challenges we hadn't foreseen.  I have three questions for list members.

1.	 What is the latest opinion regarding museum wax or any other substance for holding objects in place?  In this case I am talking specifically about bird eggs.  Our new exhibit displays eggs that are resting on/in their own custom sized hole in a piece of acrylic.  However, our visitors have managed to knock the case around just enough for the eggs to shift and go askew.  They haven't fallen, just wiggled enough so that they are not all sitting straight anymore.  We are working on a way to secure the case to the floor, but would like a little more reinforcement.  
2.	Does anyone have any protocols in place regarding the sale of insects in their gift shops?  Our shop has asked if they can set up a butterfly garden demo and sell butterflies (or more likely chrysalises) in containers.
3.	Finally,  does anyone have any protocols regarding special events and food prep in the galleries? I already know the obvious answer - Just don't do it! But that is not always feasible.  How do you work with your events and catering staff to make sure everyone (collections, exhibits, events) is happy?

All helpful suggestions are welcome!

Sincerely,
KAREN MORTON
Collections Manager
Perot Museum of Nature and Science
P 214.756.5722 | karen.morton at perotmuseum.org
 
2201 N. Field Street, Dallas, TX 75201
P 214.428.5555 | F 214.428.5892| perotmuseum.org _______________________________________________
Nhcoll-l mailing list
Nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
http://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l