preservation of insects without using naphthalene

[drdn at mail.utexas.edu]

The safest method is to store the collections range (cabinets or drawers in
compactors) in an airtight room. Once or twice a year at the time of holidays,
air is evacuated from the room and replaced by carbon dioxide. I have been
trying to convince administrators to provide me with such a facility for more
than 30 years. Good luck! My argument is - if chip-making engineering labs can
have comparable facilities so should we in entomology. This method has the
advantage that no residue is left.
   Currently I use 1) pyrethrum powder in the drawers under the trays, 2)
tanglefoot around the doors to keep the ants out, 3) periodic inspection of
every drawer.
   Napthalene does not seem to work very well
   Paradichlorobenzine dissolves plastics and has been associated at least
anecdotally with liver cancer in some individuals although I knew one 90-year
old curator who was a heavy cigar smoker in a stifling PDB room and showed no
ill effect. *Boloria toddi* was named for him.
   Dichlorvos/Vapona poisons insect pests. It also leaves a yellow crystalline
condensate on some kinds of metal like the screws in steel cabinets. I cannot
use Dichlorvos because it seems to exacerbate mental depression.
   Oil of cedarwood (in a reservoir in each drawer) works. I use cedar strips
spiked with oil of cedarwood in the shelves behind my books.
   Beyond the zone of comfort it is customary to turn off the building heat in
the middle of winter and let subzero temperatures kill any infestations.
...............Chris Durden

Quoting Richard Worth <rworth at oda.state.or.us>:

> Hi Cathy,
> The use of Vapona, as suggested by Jonathan, works very well.  There 
> are still some possible long term health effects, though, with any 
> pesticide. However, it is important that the specimen drawers have 
> tight fitting lids and that the cabinets are sealed or infestation 
> could always be a problem.  Some museums also have dedicated freezers 
> and cycle the specimen drawers through on a regular schedule.  One 
> should also freeze specimens BEFORE they are incorporated into a drawer 
> or one could introduce an infestation.  Possibly a combination of 
> different approaches.
> Hope that helps a little,  Rich
> 
> 
> On Oct 31, 2005, at 12:09 AM, Cathy Young wrote:
> 
> > Dear Colleagues
> >
> > I am the curator of a large museum of pinned insects. At present we are
> > canvassing alternative methods of pinned insect preservation without 
> > using
> > naphthalene. Our collection of approximately 100,000 specimens is 
> > currently
> > housed in metal cabinets and drawers with naphthalene as the principal
> > insect repellant. Has anyone on the list had any experience of 
> > switching to
> > an alternative repellant or means of preservation, especially with a 
> > large
> > collection?
> >
> > Cheers
> >
> >
> > Dr Cathy Young
> > Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment
> > Hobart
> > Tasmania
> >
> >
> >
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> >
> Richard Worth
> Oregon Dept. of Agriculture
> Plant Division
> 503-986-6461
> rworth at oda.state.or.us
> http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/index.shtml
> 
> 
> 
>  
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