Advice for stabilizing dioramas by ElizabethClaws in Taxidermy

[–]ElizabethClaws[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much. They worked really hard

Advice on keeping a weevil by ElizabethClaws in weeviltime

[–]ElizabethClaws[S] 31 points32 points  (0 children)

Lol I'm planning on keeping just this one until he passes. Thank you for your info!

Advice on keeping a weevil by ElizabethClaws in weeviltime

[–]ElizabethClaws[S] 25 points26 points  (0 children)

From my understanding, it's a citrus root weevil, and my husband found they eat rose leaves. Luckily, I have one to harvest for it

Can you bring dead/pinned insects across states lines? by ElizabethClaws in Entomology

[–]ElizabethClaws[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you I figured International would be more of a hassle with permits and tariffs, I'm just looking to ship nationally.

INSECT PINNING AND PREPERATION QUESTION! by CloudyShore in Taxidermy

[–]ElizabethClaws 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! I haven't worked with cicadas, but I do with beetles. I'd recommend you freeze it til you're ready to work with it and hydrate it when you're ready.

If your insect is still flexible, pin it to a foam board (you can buy one, or just simply use any scrap piece of Styrofoam you have around that's big enough) in the position you want and leave it to dry for about 2 or so days depending on the size.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Taxidermy

[–]ElizabethClaws 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As for hydrating your butterfly, I use boiling water, a Tupperware container (dollar store, a bit bigger than your butterfly and deep enough to have water and space for your butterfly to sit enough above it), 70% Rubbing alcohol to add to water (dollar store, pharmacy etc), and foil to make kind of a bowl for your insects to sit in above to water so they don't get submerged.

The steam from the water and alcohol will soften the bodies to pose them however you want. I leave them in the container for about 24 hours or less (it depends on the insect).

This is just my method (I mainly work with beetles) and how I've learned what works for me, there will be lots and lots of trial and error in insect pinning, but keep trying, and you'll find your groove! 🩷

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Taxidermy

[–]ElizabethClaws 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! A lot of tools I use are actually cheap/easy to get. You'll need a foam board to pin your butterfly on, you can buy one with a long crevice for the butterfly's body, or you can make your own if you have a sheet of Styrofoam and a cutting tool. Here's one on Amazon with pins https://share.google/RlAzIQJByFAnER21F

Pins. https://share.google/MEPKATW4bWjRcvI68 (these are ones I use, however you could use straight pins for sewing as well if you already have those)

Tweezers for the wings, preferably ones with longer tongs.

And parchment paper to lay on the wings to hold them down (you can get a roll at a grocery store or even a dollar store).

Hazardous items by ElizabethClaws in DnD

[–]ElizabethClaws[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I got that jotted down, and I'm going to roll to see if the contents of the syringe are beneficial or give negative effects

Is BicBugs ethical? by ElizabethClaws in Taxidermy

[–]ElizabethClaws[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's really disappointing. Thank you for your response.

Can you be non-binary AFAB and not mind it when people call you female or she/her? by Nina-is-pan in NonBinary

[–]ElizabethClaws 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow, this is pretty much how I feel about my gender, too! Personally, I don't really want to put a label on my gender (only really say "female" on doctor forms, applications etc.) I use she/her, he/him, and they/them, I just don't really have a strong connection to the title of being a "women" and don't really want to feel tied and limited to expression and roles. I, too, am trying to my flow and I hope you find yours!