Collecting and Preserving Insects

Collecting insects can be a fun hobby, and is also an important step in IPM. The resources in this collection will help you learn how to find and collect insects and arthropods, then prepare them so that they can be useful for identification and research efforts.

Collecting insects and related arthropods

Controlling insects starts with correct identification. One way to do that is by collecting specimens. Here's a guide to the methods and equipment for collecting insects.

Silvia I. Rondon, Mary Corp | Oct 2024 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Collecting insects: Tools and supplies

Oregon State University Extension entomologist Silvia Rondon discusses the tools and supplies needed to start an insect collection.

Silvia I. Rondon | Oct 2024 | Video Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Collecting Insects with Traps and Lights

Oregon State University Extension entomologist Silvia Rondon shows how to use pit fall traps and lights to collect insects.

Silvia I. Rondon | Jul 2011 | Video

Using a Wing Trap

Demonstration of how to assemble a paper wing trap to monitor insects. Wing traps are baited with a pheromone lure that attracts a certain species of interest.

Jessica Green | May 2013 | Video

Using a beat sheet

Oregon State University Extension entomologist Silvia Rondon demonstrates this insect sampling tool.

Silvia I. Rondon | Oct 2024 | Video Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Sweep net technique

Demonstration of how to use a sweep net to collect insects.

Silvia I. Rondon, Mary Corp | Oct 2024 | Video Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Preserving insects and related arthropods

Learn to select the proper methods of preservation for your insect collection. Methods and materials depend on the type of insect and the purpose and size of the collection.

Mary Corp, Silvia I. Rondon | Jun 2016 | Article

How to pin and label insects

A collection of insect specimens has little value unless each insect is properly mounted and accurately labeled. Here's a look at how different insects should be mounted and guidelines for labeling.

Silvia I. Rondon, Mary Corp | Oct 2024 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Pinning small insects

Oregon State University Extension entomologist Silvia Rondon shows how to pin small insects in a collection.

Silvia I. Rondon | Oct 2024 | Video Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Pinning large insects

Oregon State University Extension entomologist Silvia Rondon demonstrates how to pin large insects, another step in creating an insect collection.

Silvia I. Rondon | Oct 2024 | Video Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Pinning Butterflies and Moths

Oregon State University entomologist Silvia Rondon shows how to pin butterflies and moths for an insect collection.

Silvia I. Rondon | Jul 2024 | Video Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Insect labeling

Oregon State University Extension's Mary Corp explains the importance of labeling insects in a collection and how to do it.

Mary Corp | Oct 2024 | Video Peer reviewed (Gray level)

How to pin insects

These Purdue University Extension videos show how to pin: a ground beetle, damselfly, silkworm moth, hornworm moth.

Purdue University Extension | Jan 2024 | Online resource

Essential material needed for storing and displaying insects

Learn about storage boxes, insect pins, storage racks, spreading boards, point punches and other tips.

Silvia I. Rondon, Mary Corp | Jan 2010 | Article

Also see this related Extension Catalog publication: Identifying Insects and Arthropods in Oregon.

Dec 2018

Authors

Silvia I. Rondon

Director of Oregon IPM Center (Former)

Mary Corp

Director (Former)

Want to learn more about this topic? Explore more resources from OSU Extension: Insects

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Using a Wing Trap

Demonstration of how to assemble a paper wing trap to monitor insects. Wing traps are baited with a pheromone lure that attracts a certain species of interest.

Jessica Green | May 2013 | Video

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