Editing Insect collecting (section)

==Storage and curation==
[[File:MuseumfürNaturkundeInsectPreparation (2).jpg|thumb|Equipment for preparation]]
[[File:Proper insect pinning and label order.jpg|thumb|Insect pinning label order diagram]]

There are several different preservation methods that are used; some of which include: dried preservation (pinning), liquid preservation, or slide mounts. Another (now mostly historical) approach is [[caterpillar inflation]], where the innards were removed and the skin dried.<ref name=gibb>{{cite book |last1=Gibb |first1=Timothy J|last2=Oseto |first2=Christian  |date=2006 |title=Arthropod Collection and Identification: Laboratory and Field Techniques |publisher=[[Academic Press]] |page=67|isbn=0123695457 }}</ref> Pinning is by far the most common form of insect preservation.<ref name="Manoj K. 2022"/>

It is better to pin an insect that has died recently enough that it has not dried yet, because it allows the thoracic muscles to adhere to the pin. Previously dried specimens must have glue applied to the pin location to avoid spinning. The large majority of the time insects are pinned vertically through their mesothorax and slightly off-center to the right of the mid-line.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Department of Entomology |title=How to Make an Awesome Insect Collection: Purdue: entomology: insect: collect: supplies: specimen: mounting: identifying: displaying: preserve: labels |url=https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/401Book/default.php?page=pinning_large_insects |website=Purdue |access-date=December 27, 2019}}</ref> The pin should sit with 1/4 of the pin above the insect as to allow enough room for labels to be readable underneath.

When pinning insects with wings, it is important to display them properly: Lepidoptera wings should always be spread. When drying insects with wings such as butterflies, setting paper is used to position the wings.

[[Orthoptera|Orthopteroids]] often have their left wings spread. In scientific collections, the insect's wings, legs, and antenna are tucked underneath it to conserve space.

When point-mounting small insects the insect is glued to a small piece of non acidic, triangle paper.  When drying an insect the relaxed insect is spread out accordingly using pins on a foam block where it can dry and retain its positioning.

When labeling insects the labels are presented in this order top down: Locality, additional locality/voucher label/accession numbers, insect identification.<ref name="Uys & Urban">V.M. Uys & R.P. Urban (Eds.): "How to Collect and Preserve Insects and Arachnids". Pretoria 2006. 112 p. {{ISBN|1-86849-311-3}}</ref>