Smallish specimen pinning/spreading question

[Stanley A. Gorodenski]

This may not be proper, but when wings are difficult to open, I pinch
the thorax with curved butterfly forceps.  As I said, it may not be
proper, and it may do damage I am unaware of, but it works for me.  
Stan

Terry Morse wrote:
> 
> I am a beginner at pinning and spreading
> butterflies.  I am trying to pin/spread a
> moderately small lep, a Western Pine Elfin
> (Callophrys eryphon).  The insect died with its
> wings in full upright position to the extent that
> I can't see the thorax well enough to properly
> insert the pin.  I've had it in a relaxing chamber
> for 24 hours ( is that sufficient? I had left the
> specimen in the killing jar for the preceding 24
> hours), but am unable to get the wings to stay
> spread enough on their own for me to place the
> pin.  It's a bit of a catch-22: To spread the
> specimen, I need to pin it; but to pin it, I need
> to spread the specimen.
> 
> Can anyone suggest how I can get the wings spread
> enough (I only have two hands) that I can see to
> place the pin?  I've tried placing the specimen on
> a slightly rough surface and using butterfly
> forceps to spread the wings with one hand while I
> pin it with the other hand, but the specimen keeps
> sliding forward.  I've tried putting a pin in
> front of the specimen as a stop, but it just
> slides past the stop.
> 
> My other elfin was kind enough to die with its
> wings down, so it was easy to pin that one.
> 
> Thanks,
> Terry

 
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