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finally used to hold the head close to the thorax. This method promotes quick
internal drying and preserves calor better than other known methods. Evisceration
can also be done by making an incision through the first three abdominal
sterna along the midline (or, in certain cases, where the abdomen is robust,
along the pleural region) with fine sharp scissors, removing the thoracic
contents and those of the abdomen with fine straight forceps, and then
proceeding as previously described. For very large specimens, the body cavity
can be packed lightly with absorbent cotton. The abdomen should be molded
back to as near its original form as possible when still moist. It will thus
retain a natural appearance. Kaltenbach (1958) and Rentz (l962b) describe
more elaborate although superior methods for dry preservation of soft-bodied
gngs.
If specimens cannot be pinned soon after they are killed, they should
be eviscerated (unless they are small), and placed in layers between either
absorbent cotton or absorbent paper in small wooden or plastic (not metal)
boxes. Later they can be relaxed by standard means, pinned, placed in the
desired position, and allowed to dry. Since the tegmina and/or hind wings
of many species are important in identification because of their venation or
coloration, it is often desirable to set specimens with their wings extended.
This is particularly true of bandedwinged (locustine) grasshoppers. The
method of spreading is standard for most insects, but it is conventional in
the case of grigs to spread the wings of only one side. Unless there is a good
reason to the contrary (as with a damaged specimen), the left side (away from
the insertion of the pin) is selected. Uniform treatment leads to conservation
of storage space as well as being aesthetically more pleasing.
The foregoing remarks are directed mainly toward the study of saltatorial
forms, but cockroaches (Blattodea) and mantids (Mantodea) may be treated
in the same way, except that it is often preferable to pin bulky specimens
through the right tegmen and abdomen (like beetles). Although some species
occur outdoors, amongst litter, for example, cockroaches are usually found
in buildings, where they may be collected by means of "bait-jars" similar
to those mentioned for camel crickets. Place the jars in out-of-the-way corners
and make sure their outsides are not too clean or smooth (any labels should
be left on them), otherwise the cockroaches may have difficulty in climbing
the jar.
In the East and in southern British Columbia, adult specimens of
introduced mantids are usually found in late summer on rank vegetation,
including bushes. Females, especially green ones, should be eviscerated after
a slit is made in the basal abdominal pleura on one side. The small native
western mantid is normally found running on the ground or on low vegetation.
Because this mantid is fragile in a dried condition, it is best to mount
it like a stick-insect.
The termites (Termitodea)of our region are nearly always (although not
exclusively) associated with buildings, except in British Columbia, where they
are also found in natural rotting wood and in underground nests. Because
they are soft-bodied, they are not usually pinned, but are preserved in fluid.
To do this, use either ordinary 70-75070 ethyl alcohol (or isopropyl alcohol),
to which a drop of glycerol has been added in order to ensure that the insects
do not become brittle, or CFAA preservative. It is desirable to collect
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