how does one prepare a live butterfly for mounting? ie: wings to be spread opened as opposed to being closed.?

Answer 1

CONVENTION HAS IT THAT THE COLORS AND MARKINGS OF THE BUTTERFLY SHOULD BE VISIABLE, THEREFORE, IT IS BEST TO OPEN THE WINGS AND DISPLAY IT IN THAT POSITION.

Answer 2

I keep my specimens in glass jars (pint size) and once I return to my home I place them in the freezer...it is a painless death. Now, you need a spreading board...or you can make one from styrofoam....cut a groove a little larger that the width of the butterfly's body..and about 1/2 inch deep. It is best to use the long slender pins from an entomological supply, but straight pins work...don't look so professional. Remove the butterfly from the feezer (wait an hour to insure it is dead....and wait an hour before you begin working on the pinning. I use a strip of plastic...actually acetate sheet to help spread the wings. After opening the wings, place the pin in the thorax, and push it through, leaving only a small amount of the pin visible from the top. and put the butterfly on the pinning (spreading) board. To open the wings, I use an insulin syringe but you can use any long sharp needle. Some people use paper strips to hold the wings until they dry but I prefer acetate sheet cut into strips about six inches long by a 1/2 inch wide....this allows me to judge if the wings are equally spread. Take your long needle and place it by the vein...at the top edge of the wing and slide it upwards (towards the head) and the wing will open....then when you have reached the desired spread...secure it with the acetate strip and use pins to keep it in place...sometimes the lower wing must be adjusted...using gentle pressure on the upper wing...push on the acetate strip...use your need to position the lower wing....repeat on the other side....you will need practice ....it is easier if I could show you...My collection is about 1,000 species.