pickle fork question

[Eric or Pat Metzler]

Use the pickle fork in the thorax to hold the specimen in place while 
you fold the wings over the thorax without getting your fingers in the 
way.  Remove the pickle fork before (while) placing the specimen in the 
envelope.  You remove the pickle fork by tightly/gently grasping the 
thorax with thumb and forefinger of one hand while pulling the fork away 
with the other hand.  The specimen can be inside or outside the envelope 
  when you remove the fork.

The pickle fork pierces the exoskeleton and would not be likely for live 
butterflies unless they were were being dispatched while in the envelope.

Use the pickel fork for only freshly dispatched specimens, or very 
relaxed specimens.

I don't have the dexterity to use the pickle fork method nor do I paper 
any specimens, but I've seen Dave Winter use the fork with great dexterity.

It's been snowing all day in Columbus Ohio today.  Darn !!

Eric Metzler


Thomas P. LeBlanc wrote:

> I have a lepidopterists question (other than what he say or she say, I use
> the delete method of checking unwanted mail).  From; Winter W.D. 2000. Basic
> Techniques for Observing and Studying Moths and Butterflies. The
> Lepidopterists' Society Memoir No. 5 and currently on Chapter 8 storing
> specimens (pp239).  Once again they discuss the pickle fork and using it for
> folding the wings behind the back for storage in the envelopes.  My
> questions are this, " does the pickle fork go into the envelope or removed
> before it is placed into the envelope?  Does the pickle fork start by going
> over the thorax and up the wing or how does one use it?  Finally, would one
> use the pickle fork with live butterflies or only dead ones?"  I am in the
> middle of the book but at this point I don't expect to see exactly details
> on how this tool is used.   Thanks to all of those that respond!!
> 
> Thomas P. LeBlanc
> 192 Kent Blvd., Salamanca, NY 14779
> Email: leblanct at netsync.net
> .
> . °   _?_   °      BRRR..... °            °       °            °
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> 
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