[Nhcoll-l] Antw: Re: Storage Suggestions for Unprocessed Phasmatids

[Max Caspers]

Hi colleagues,

It partly depends on how you want them to be accessible. The ideal solution
usually lies at the intersection of a) the optimal conditions for long-term
preservation and b) how the storage method meets the intended and likely
use. For example, if mounting them is not necessary for current alpha
taxonomic work, or it is unlikely this collection will be used for that
purpose in the coming decades, it might be better to avoid labor-intensive
individual mounting (and associated mold risks). Similarly, storing them in
alcohol introduces long-term challenges with regards to regular upkeep and
health/safety with regards to use.

I'd propose a third option, which is  to keep them in modern envelopes. At
Naturalis we did something similar with the papered butterfly collection
and this turned out to be incredibly time and space efficient (doubling
processing speed and using 7x less space). It includes semi-transparant
glassine envelopes, databased specimens with new labels and stored
numerically. Easily accessible for future (visiting) specialists. Mounting
them and/or reorganising them taxonomically is always an option at a later
stage "on demand", but this has not been necessary yet. I realise
butterflies are flatter and easier to manage, but the specimens in this
example look relatively flat too. Adapting this general concept to a
storage system that mitigates the risk of specimens squashing eachother
would be worth exploring.

Kind regards,
Max


On Fri, 29 May 2026 at 10:01, Hans-Joachim Händel <
Joachim.Haendel at zns.uni-halle.de> wrote:

> Hello Doug,
> Dear colleagues
>
> I often do something similar with old, unmounted specimens.
>
> But a few years ago, I got into the habit of using window cleaning fluid
> (colourless!) instead of water.
> As well as water, window cleaners contain ethanol, ammonia and various
> surfactants.
> It works faster and better than water, and it doesn’t cause mould to form
> either.
>
> All the best and good luck
> Joachim
>
>
> --
> Joachim Haendel
>
> Center of Natural Science Collections
> of the Martin Luther University (ZNS)
> - Zoological Collection -
>
> Domplatz 4
> D-06099 Halle (Saale)
> Germany
>
> Phone:  +49 345 - 55 26 447
> Email: joachim.haendel at zns.uni-halle.de
>
>
>
> >>> Douglas Yanega <dyanega at gmail.com> schrieb am 28.05.2026 um 21:21:
>
> We deal with material like this with some frequency, and the standard
> approach is to use a relaxing jar - typically a large glass chamber with
> water at the bottom, with a few drops of phenol to discourage fungal
> growth. The chamber is sealed with vacuum grease, and there is a platform
> that keeps the specimens and the paper from contacting the fluid directly.
> The idea is to have 100% humidity. It takes no more than one or two days in
> the chamber to fully relax even 100-year old insects. Once relaxed, the
> specimens are flexible enough to be handled and pinned, for a short time
> span after coming out of the chamber - the latter is the only point at
> which problems arise, if multiple specimens are processed at the same time,
> then remove them one at a time for mounting, so nothing sits outside the
> chamber for more than a few minutes before it is pinned.
>
> It is definitely not desirable to try to force dry specimens into ethanol
> - this is not an effective method of rehydration.
>
> Peace,
>
> --
> Doug Yanega      Dept. of Entomology       Entomology Research Museum
> Univ. of California, Riverside, CA 92521-0314    phone: 951-827-4315
> FaceBook: Doug Yanega (disclaimer: opinions are mine, not UCR's)
>              https://faculty.ucr.edu/~heraty/yanega.html
>   "There are some enterprises in which a careful disorderliness
>         is the true method" - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, Chap. 82
>
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-- 
Met vriendelijke groet,

Max Caspers
Afdelingshoofd Collectiemanagement
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