[Nhcoll-l] Rust-stained butterflies?

Couteaufin at aol.com Couteaufin at aol.com
Wed Oct 3 07:00:16 EDT 2012


I was visiting a local natural history society yesterday and my attention  
was drawn to a drawer of pinned Brimstone butterflies that appeared to have 
a  rusty staining contaminating their wings.  A quick look with a handlens  
revealed tiny brown hyphae in the midst of the stained areas.  The fungi,  
such as they appear to be, have been neutralised but administering some 
ethanol  on a fine brush but the staining is still there.  The drawers had been  
routinely frozen against insect pests and it's believed that this may have  
caused the 'staining'.
I don't believe that the staining can be removed by any means but has  
anyone come across this specific problem before and what is the fungus?   Also 
why weren't other species of butterfly in the drawer (Clouded Yellows)  
similarly affected?
I can provide a photo to anyone interested.
 
With all good  wishes, Simon

Simon Moore MIScT, FLS, ACR,
Conservator of Natural  Sciences and Cutlery Historian,

_www.natural-history-conservation.com_ 
(http://www.natural-history-conservation.com/)  
_www.pocket-fruit-knives.info_ (http://www.pocket-fruit-knives.info/)  

_http://uk.linkedin.com/in/naturalsciencespecimenconserve_ 
(http://uk.linkedin.com/in/naturalsciencespecimenconserve)   
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