Insects ?

[JE]

I am thinking of ways to preserve real insects to use in a habitat display, I know they can be dried but the ones I have seen seem very fragile, and I think would deteriorate very quickly over time. I was thinking of drying them then coating with a very thin coat of clear nail varnish ?
Or would I be better off trying to make artificial 's ?
thanks
john

[GhostMonkey]

The best way I found if your dealing with the soft bodied critters is using alcohol 70% ethanol. Drop them in the mixture and there you go. I am just a hobbyist with insects so you may find some better info here.

http://www.auduboninstitute.org/
http://www.bioquip.com/PreHome.asp


I hope this helps you. Have a good one.

[socalmountainman]

If you place dried insects in your habitat tehy will only last until the dermestids find them and turn them to powder.  They will eat the varnish as well.  In a dome or glass display you can add a small container for paradichlorobenzene (PCB) crystals available through Bioquip as GhostMonkey stated above. There are safer alternatives than PCB. I am an entomologist for the State of California and we have begun using other products in our insect collections, not available to the public yet.  Artificial would be better.

[JE]

I had not thought of the effect of pests, I guess with so many taxi mounts ect left unprotected it had just not crossed my mind and I took it for granted that insects would be Ok. I am a bit surprised that the dermestids would eat through varnish though
 I can make the artificial bodies OK I guess but the wings may prove a little difficult to get to look natural . I will have to get my thinking cap on.
Thanks
John