Thread subject: Diptera.info :: New trip

Posted by Tony T on 01-08-2007 18:52
#11

I think storing Diptera in alcohol that are intented to be pinned in the future is a bad idea. As Susan said, hairs matt; and oils and fats are likely to dissolve out of the specimen and cause staining of the cuticle. Also the flies become brittle. I collect flies alive individually in small plastic vials. About every 30 mins. if the day is hot (above 25 C) I transfer the vials to a cooler. They will remain alive at 5 C for several days if necessary. Flies are then labelled and placed in a freezer, -19 C, until I have time to process them. Out of curiosity I just took out a 10.5 mm muscid that was collected 7 May 2007. It looks like it was collected yesterday, legs are still flexible.