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3. Bug collection

Hi guys, I have a question, does anyone collects bugs? if so how do you preserve aquatic insect larvae???

Thanks

Here is some info on collecting and preservation of mayflies. These instructions will work for most other groups, too. Mayflies are delicate and need to be handled separately from other aquatic specimens. Other kinds of bugs have special handling, too. I'll sometimes carry some of the really soft things from the field alive and drop them into boiling water in a foam cup for a few seconds before transferring them to EtOH. A small, immersion heater will usually do the trick, plugged into an adapter that is plugged into the cig lighter of my vehicle.

http://mypage.iu.edu/~lmjacobu/collecting.html

"Collection fluid" usually refers to ethanol (EtOH). I recommend collecting into a solution of 90% EtOH/10% water. After an hour, or a little more, I'll drain off the solution and add more of the same concentration. I'll do this a few times until the liquid stops turning yellow. Finally, I'll put the specimens into a solution of 70% EtOH/30% water. However, if I am going to try to extract DNA from the specimens (ever), I'll collect into 100% (200 proof) EtOH and continue changes, using 100% each time. This often will leave specimens brittle, and sometimes they will extrude tissue. A final resting place of 70% is the best for medium-term storage and handling. Keeping specimens in alcohol in a freezer will extend their useful "life"time.

Best of luck.

You're a sick man, Konchu.

-Shawn

Oh, and you can say this after digging some of those holes in the cornfield for me, Shawn?

Konchu, thanks alot I'll do that, I really enjoy studying my bugs hehehe

Louis, that was completely different. Comparing insects with bait fishermen - apples and oranges.

-Shawn