Preserving a butterfly in a see-through medium like plastic?

[Matthew Shepherd (Xerces Society)]

Apologies for any duplication from this cross-posting, but I was thinking someone on this list might have suggestions. (Please reply to the email below rather than to me):

Hello:

Would anyone be able to send me a technique for preserving a butterfly in
a see-through medium like plastic? I've heard that such can be done by
pouring liquid plastic (don't know what brand) around the specimen, which
then hardens; I've also heard bubbles can form using this technique if the
specimen has oxygen in it.

So, any help with a "recipe" for a  successful technique would be
appreciated.  The goal is to preserve the specimens so they can be used
for education and outreach purposes.

Thanks

Cathy

Cathy Carnes
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
2661 Scott Tower Drive
New Franken, WI 54229
920-866-1732
FAX: 866-1710
cathy_carnes at fws.gov
______________________________________________________
The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
Protecting wildlife through science-based advocacy, education, 
and conservation projects since 1971. To join the Society, make a 
contribution, or read about our work, please visit www.xerces.org.

Matthew Shepherd
Director, Pollinator Conservation Program
4828 SE Hawthorne Boulevard, Portland, OR 97215, USA
Tel: 503-232 6639 Fax: 503-233 6794
Email: mdshepherd at xerces.org 
______________________________________________________

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