Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Pinning flies from 70% alcohol

Posted by Michael Ackland on 19-12-2008 21:51
#5

Gordon, I have found this method quick and easy: remove fly from alcohol, drain 30 secs on filter paper, Drop in a small jar of acetone (10 ml), leave for 3 hours (vary according to size), remove and immediately pin with short minuten through pleuron under wing base, arrange fly legs and wings under microscope with small pins (I use small block of plastozote 1 inch square), the fly will dry in a few minutes, and can be removed and mounted in a couple of hours. It may be necessary to put a small drop of thinnned seccotine under the fly on the pin to stop it swinging round.