NEEDLES AND FORCEPS

These must be purchased (See links page for addresses of suppliers). Size No.3 will do for all but the smallest butterflies, for which No.2 and No.1 pins should be used.

I also recommend the use of No.7 pins; they are longer, stronger and easier to manipulate. Number 7 needles are helpful to pin in pine spreading board. These are also useful to mount all kinds of insects (beetles or grasshoppers) as they are appropriate to make stands to hold legs and antennae in place.

Example of forceps used by insects collectors.