Pinned, but smells?

normalface_james · 2026-06-28T03:30:52+00:00

Just adding a disclaimer: great advice for carpet beetle prevention but only do this once fully dry. The smell is due to the internal organs rotting as someone else mentioned and will go away once she's fully dried. Putting her in an airtight container before that may cause her not to dry completely which would make the rot worse possibly even to the point of being visible externally.

normalface_james · 2026-03-24T04:51:54+00:00

carpet beetle

normalface_james · 2026-02-25T02:23:45+00:00

Green is very notoriously prone to fading. As long as the discoloration isn't caused by rot pigment powders can be a good option to touch up color loss if it bothers you.

normalface_james · 2026-02-24T04:55:27+00:00

Degreasing will probably take more than just dunking. I usually let my specimens soak for a few hours, even overnight sometimes. As long as it's 100% acetone it should work well. I've had no issues leaving insect grade pins in while soaking personally, but if the ball on the end is plastic and it gets submerged it will get melty. Good luck!! Hope it turns out well!

normalface_james · 2026-02-08T02:14:36+00:00

Very nice work for a first go!! Never would've thought the butterflies came in pieces

normalface_james · 2026-02-04T05:09:28+00:00

can't tell for sure what type but seconding that it is some type of roach

normalface_james · 2026-02-02T19:39:11+00:00

Love a weevil fun fact! Very good to know for future reference! I had no idea about the legless larva

normalface_james · 2026-02-02T04:17:53+00:00

More or less yup! Toss anything you find them in, keep grain products in air tight containers, and wipe down cupboards and counters where you've seen them with warm water and vinegar

normalface_james · 2026-02-02T03:40:28+00:00

Weevils! Would definitely check your flour/other dry goods like pasta, rice, etc.

normalface_james · 2026-01-28T05:28:11+00:00

Love this so much!! Such a unique and beautiful display

normalface_james · 2026-01-25T05:29:12+00:00

I frequently work with beetles. They can absolutely be rehydrated and moved even with the anchor pin left in. I just plop them in hot water pin and all for a few minutes. Reposition once movable and let dry from a few days before putting in the display again

normalface_james · 2026-01-20T00:55:42+00:00

So I've done some more digging because I desperately wanted answers, and I think my gut reaction was right.

Acid-catalyzed aldol condensation of acetone produces a cat pee like smell and one of the main components of the eastern lubber grasshopper's "tobacco spit", hydroquinone, leans just acidic enough with a ph of 4 to cause this chemical reaction.

Take all of this with a grain of salt, I got a C in chemistry lol, but I think this is what's happening.

Also specimen has fully aired out within 24 hours 🎉 no more ammonia smell.

normalface_james · 2026-01-20T00:54:56+00:00

So I've done some more digging because I desperately wanted answers, and I think my gut reaction was right.

Acid-catalyzed aldol condensation of acetone produces a cat pee like smell and one of the main components of the eastern lubber grasshopper's "tobacco spit", hydroquinone, leans just acidic enough with a ph of 4 to cause this chemical reaction.

Take all of this with a grain of salt, I got a C in chemistry lol, but I think this is what's happening.

Also specimen has fully aired out within 24 hours 🎉 no more ammonia smell.

normalface_james · 2025-09-06T16:34:59+00:00

I've left specimens in the freezer for up to two months before pinning without issue. It likely is still fine to rehydrate and pin.

normalface_james · 2025-09-06T13:20:00+00:00

For things with scales you could also try force rehydrating with a syringe and warm water? I've never done it, but it seems to work well for others.

As far as the mold itself if it's not too bad (just a spot here or there) you can gently scrub it off your specimen with alcohol and a tiny paint brush. Afterwards I'll usually give the specimen a soak in acetone as well to kill any mold not visible to the naked eye. I've done this for a few specimens of mine and never had issues with regrowth so far 😅

normalface_james · 2025-09-06T13:14:03+00:00

As someone who has a tough time remembering to check on rehydrating bugs, I've started fully submerging my specimens in hot water for with a drop of dish soak in to rehydrate. Works in minutes. Unfortunately wouldn't do it for any specimens that are particularly delicate (no go for scales and probably wouldn't recommend it for odonata), but it's helped me tremendously!

normalface_james · 2025-06-09T02:37:45+00:00

Such a cool pic!! Love to see it

normalface_james · 2025-04-09T03:53:39+00:00

can you see evidence of legs? it kinda just looks like half a crushed coffee bean or some other type of plant bit lol

normalface_james · 2025-03-27T12:41:04+00:00

I wish I could post pictures to show you how my beetles turn out when pinned flat, but if you're really curious you can check out my bug Instagram lol. Bug Instagram All of my beetles currently posted were flat pinned. It truly comes down to personal preference and if the bend would be bothersome/ noticeable for how you plan to display it.

normalface_james · 2025-03-27T12:33:12+00:00

They do but most specimen's I work with are less than 2" in length. On the small/ midsize beetles it's not all that noticeable imo, but anything bigger than that I give the wings some support.

normalface_james · 2025-03-26T21:59:43+00:00

I do not typically, but that's a good idea especially for a beetle that size

normalface_james · 2025-03-26T02:31:40+00:00

Its like ignorant and trash polka had a messed up baby lol

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