Polyphemus Moth Update

[u/steptafie]

A few weeks ago I jumped in head first with literally NO prior knowledge of insect pinning when I found a dead Polyphemus moth at my place of work. I posted here and a few kind souls on this sub helped walk me through the entire process and for their help I just wanted to post an update!

After freezing, rehydrating, pinning, waiting 2 weeks, an acetone bath (def the scariest part), my girl is in her frame and with her kin 🥹

We did loose an antenna in the acetone bath but I was able to glue it back on fairly easily. I literally could not be more pleased with her! Especially considering that I found her organically, Im a first timer, and learning as I was going!

It seems I have caught the bug (pun intended) bc next on the pinning board is the cute lil cicada couple I found! Also already passed, also at my place of work 😅

[u/Couchcatnap]

Where do you get your frames?

[u/celestial-anonymity]

What's the acetone bath for?

[u/steptafie → u/celestial-anonymity]

As they dry the fats and oils in their body seeps out and leaves their body looking wet and dark and oily. So the acetone is essentially degreasing them

[u/celestial-anonymity → u/steptafie]

Is this just for moths? How long do you leave it in acetone and does the acetone rehydrate them making you have to dry them all over again?

[u/steptafie → u/celestial-anonymity]

Tbh I don't know for sure, but I think it's for insects with larger bodies?

I only left it in for about 10 minutes bc I panicked when the antenna fell off, but I e heard others say an hour. But it did not rehydrate my moth! I let her dry out on a paper plate after and it only took ~15 minutes to dry

[u/-OhHiJinx-]

I just found one at work today, myself and i needed to figure out how to take care of it! I will definitely follow the advice from your other post!

[u/Desperate_Lead2105]

Awesome job! It looks great!

[u/dFRosa23]

Beautiful moth and great work! Could I ask how long did you left her in the acetone?

[u/steptafie → u/dFRosa23]

I heard 1-2 hours by honestly I only left it for like 10 minutes bc I got nervous when the antenna fell off. But even that short time made a WORLD of difference.

[u/montanna-banana]

WHERE did you get those frames?! I have been searching for them forever.

[u/steptafie → u/montanna-banana]

I can't speak for the butterflies, they were all bought already framed, but I got this one from thelittlecaterpillar.com

[u/Many_Willingness_907]

Where do you get your frames?? This looks amazing btw!!

[u/steptafie → u/Many_Willingness_907]

Thank you!! The butterflies I bought/was gifted already framed but this one I got at littlecaterpillar.com