Perfect Pinning. . .

Entomologists pin invertebrates to keep a record of the species they find and to enable other people to have a reference for study as pinned insects keep for a very long time indeed - Charles Darwin's pinned insects are still as good as new! Entomologists do not pin every insect they find, but a cross section of species they find on a single field trip. There are strict guide lines dictating the correct humane methods of killing invertebrates www.royensoc.co.uk/InvLink/Index.html They are instantly gassed in special 'killing jars' and mounted on boards only after the appropriate time. They must be laid out in such a way that the most entomological knowledge can be gained from them. The teaching of pinning methods is taken very seriously as live creatures are initially involved. When Bug Club children are taken on field trips they are expected to set traps, pin, identify, label their specimens and make notes on the habitat accordingly. It is very important that a child does not disrespect their duty to the humane killing of invertebrates for pinning and always approach this subject with true respect and concentration. When a habitats invertebrate life is examined, it is very similar to taking a 'blood sample' to assess the health of that environment. It is the small life that indicate any changes in the environment first as they are the greatest effected and otherwise unnoticed. They make up the important foundations of an entire ecosystem and must be studied to monitor our planets overall health as well as individual habitats.

True concentration is needed to prepare a specimen.

A carefully mounted dragonfly with its wings laid out under paper. When it is set the paper and extra pins will be removed.

Max Barclay (Curator and collections manager of Coleoptera and Hemiptera at the London Natural History Museum), teaches future young entomologists how to pin correctly.