A DIFFERENT WAY TO PRESERVE INSECT COLLECTIONS FOR A LONG TIME: EPOXY RESIN

Abstract

Insects, valued for their delicate structures, small sizes, and often colorful, patterned appearances, are preserved in collection boxes, laboratories, and museums for educational, scientific, and aesthetic purposes. Preserving insects in alcohol, pinning them directly, drying them for storage in preservation boxes, or mounting very small species on microscope slides are considered traditional methods. However, all these methods can encounter certain issues over time. The progressive evaporation of alcohol can lead to the deterioration of specimens, those preserved in alcohol are susceptible to damage from vibrations and light; while dried specimens can be adversely affected by moisture, mold fungi, and necrophagous insects. Therefore, insect samples should be stored in a moisture-free environment using chemicals such as naphthalene, glo, and similar substances. Since these chemicals are volatile, they need to be frequently checked and replenished as necessary to prevent depletion. Moreover, these methods significantly hinder the ease of handling specimens. Even the slightest impact can cause the fragile body parts of these small insects to detach or break. The damage to insect specimens compromises the integrity of the collection and, in some cases, results in the loss of unique specimens preserved as singular examples. For this reason, epoxy resin has been considered for use in insect preparation to ensure the long-term preservation, damage-free utilization, and durability of insect specimens over the years. In Türkiye, similar studies have previously been conducted using transparent polyester resin (Acatay, 1971) and Dewester polyester (Göktürk and Aksu, 2010). The findings from these studies have been utilized to evaluate and discuss the use of epoxy resin in this article. Specimens of insects and their body parts, which are collected with significant effort and time and constitute an essential component of biodiversity, can be utilized without damage, hesitation, or concern in educational activities, scientific research, or exhibitions through this method. Since they are not affected by light, heat, moisture, mold fungi, or necrophagous insects, no additional expenses are required for the preservation of the specimens. There is no need to collect an additional number of insect specimens for the collection. The specimens can be utilized for various purposes without causing any damage, ensuring ease of use. This study provides information on the process of preserving insects in epoxy resin. After the insects are killed, they undergo preparation techniques, and a drying phase to make them ready for placement into the epoxy resin. Once the appropriate mixture of epoxy and hardener chemicals is prepared, the insect specimens must be placed into molds following the proper technique, then cured and polished.

Keywords

• epoxy resin
• insect specimens
• preservation
• damage-free utilization
• collection method

BÖCEK KOLLEKSİYONLARINI UZUN SÜRE SAKLAMANIN FARKLI BİR YOLU: EPOKSİ REÇİNE

Abstract

Bilimsel, akademik ve eğitim amaçlı toplanan böcek örneklerinin yıllarca bozulmadan dayanması ve sürekli kullanımının mümkün olması arzu edilir. Örneklerin muhafazası için geliştirilen, geleneksel hale gelmiş alkolde saklama ya da preparasyonu yapıp böcek saklama kutularında muhafaza etme gibi yöntemlerde, muhafaza süreçlerinde aksaklık yaşanması dokularda bozulmaya sebep olmaktadır. Ayrıca bu yöntemler örneklerin kolay kullanımını da zorlaştırmaktadır. En hafif darbede bile bu küçük yapılı böceklerin vücut parçaları kopabilmekte ya da kırılabilmektedir. Örneklerin zarar görmesi koleksiyonun bozulmasına sebep olmakta, bazı durumlarda yegâne örnek olarak saklanan numunelerde kayıplar yaşanmaktadır. Böcek örneklerinin bu yöntemle uzun yıllar boyunca epoksi reçine içinde muhafaza edilmesi ve örneğe zarar vermeden farklı amaçlar için kolay kullanımı mümkün olmaktadır. Bu çalışma epoksi reçine ile sertleştirici kimyasalın belirli oranda karıştırılması, preparasyonu yapılıp kurutulmuş böcek örnekleriyle birlikte silikon kalıplar içine tekniğine uygun olarak yerleştirilmesi, kurutulması, parlatılmasına dair süreçleri içermektedir.

Keywords

• epoksi reçine
• böcek örnekleri
• koruma
• hasarsız kullanım
• koleksiyon yöntemi

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