how to hold small bugs??
Moderators: rjlittlefield, ChrisR, Chris S., Pau
how to hold small bugs??
Good afternoon all
Ok so i got hold of a microscope focusing block ( free ) and mounted my bellows on there and got a random nameless objective that takes decent pix, i still got a couple of problems to sort out but im getting there...
But what really bugs me is mounting small subjects, like ants and small flys ( about 3-5mm). They just dont have enough body to stick a needle into, even when using a really thin 0.4mm needle. Ive searched the forum but i havent really come up with anything, so i need help please!!
How do you guys do it?
I got a horizontal setup, camera is mounted to bellows which is mounted on the focusing block.
Thank you
Ok so i got hold of a microscope focusing block ( free ) and mounted my bellows on there and got a random nameless objective that takes decent pix, i still got a couple of problems to sort out but im getting there...
But what really bugs me is mounting small subjects, like ants and small flys ( about 3-5mm). They just dont have enough body to stick a needle into, even when using a really thin 0.4mm needle. Ive searched the forum but i havent really come up with anything, so i need help please!!
How do you guys do it?
I got a horizontal setup, camera is mounted to bellows which is mounted on the focusing block.
Thank you
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- Posts: 44
- Joined: Thu Mar 22, 2012 11:26 am
- Location: Sycamore, IL USA
See if you can locate an entomologist. He/she should have some Minuten Pins.
These are short but can be glued to a longer pin. They come in thicknesses of 0.15mm and 0.20 mm.
These are short but can be glued to a longer pin. They come in thicknesses of 0.15mm and 0.20 mm.
NU.
student of entomology
Quote – Holmes on ‘Entomology’
” I suppose you are an entomologist ? “
” Not quite so ambitious as that, sir. I should like to put my eyes on the individual entitled to that name.
No man can be truly called an entomologist,
sir; the subject is too vast for any single human intelligence to grasp.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr
The Poet at the Breakfast Table.
Nikon camera, lenses and objectives
Olympus microscope and objectives
student of entomology
Quote – Holmes on ‘Entomology’
” I suppose you are an entomologist ? “
” Not quite so ambitious as that, sir. I should like to put my eyes on the individual entitled to that name.
No man can be truly called an entomologist,
sir; the subject is too vast for any single human intelligence to grasp.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr
The Poet at the Breakfast Table.
Nikon camera, lenses and objectives
Olympus microscope and objectives
Thank you, NU, seta666
Ill look for a entomologist around here, from previous experiences ive had with the labs here when i tried micropropegation it would be hard getting that one person that is willing to help you. As soon as they hear that your a private person they tend to not want to help. But its worth a try!
Spring is right around the corner, and im hoping for a great bug season
Ill look for a entomologist around here, from previous experiences ive had with the labs here when i tried micropropegation it would be hard getting that one person that is willing to help you. As soon as they hear that your a private person they tend to not want to help. But its worth a try!
Spring is right around the corner, and im hoping for a great bug season
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- Posts: 44
- Joined: Thu Mar 22, 2012 11:26 am
- Location: Sycamore, IL USA
Search E-bay for insect mounting pins. They come in many sizes. #000 (smallest diameter) to 7, I believe. They come in stainless, or black. And are packaged in quantities of 100.
Here is another link on E-bay for more pins.
Size 000 Superfine - Length 38mm. Diameter .25 mm.
Size 00 Micro Pins - Length 40 mm. Diameter 0.27 mm.
Size 0 - Length 40 mm. Diameter 0.29 mm.
Size 01 Medium - Length 40 mm. Diameter 0.32 mm.
Size 02 Medium - Length 40 mm. Diamter 0.38 mm.
Size 03 Medium/Large - Length 40 mm. Diameter 0.45 mm.
Size 04 Large - Length 40 mm. Diameter 0.56 mm.
Size 05 Large - Length 40 mm. Diameter 0.60 mm.
Size 07 Extra Large - Length 52mm. Diameter 0.70mm.
Here is another link on E-bay for more pins.
Size 000 Superfine - Length 38mm. Diameter .25 mm.
Size 00 Micro Pins - Length 40 mm. Diameter 0.27 mm.
Size 0 - Length 40 mm. Diameter 0.29 mm.
Size 01 Medium - Length 40 mm. Diameter 0.32 mm.
Size 02 Medium - Length 40 mm. Diamter 0.38 mm.
Size 03 Medium/Large - Length 40 mm. Diameter 0.45 mm.
Size 04 Large - Length 40 mm. Diameter 0.56 mm.
Size 05 Large - Length 40 mm. Diameter 0.60 mm.
Size 07 Extra Large - Length 52mm. Diameter 0.70mm.
I'm in Canada! Isn't that weird?
@ Steve, Ive also thought about using the accupucture needles, not sure where to get them around here tho, but shouldnt be to hard.
Thank you abpho:)
I took Nu's advice and contacted an entomologist, and the lady was kind enough to donate me some minuten pins Just have to go and pick them up. Thanx Nu!!
Thank you abpho:)
I took Nu's advice and contacted an entomologist, and the lady was kind enough to donate me some minuten pins Just have to go and pick them up. Thanx Nu!!
For a bendy bit of wire, strip some mains type copper flex/cable/wire. It's not strong enough to pierce anything much, but you can solder it, and make little loops or fold-over at the end to hold a bit more glue, and have it as long as you like.
Repeated bending hardens copper & makes it stiffer. If you use enough you can fashion a stand out of the non-bug end.
Put a drop of super glue in a teaspoon, dip your wire or pin into the edge, then hold it to the bug. Breathing on it speeds up setting!
Repeated bending hardens copper & makes it stiffer. If you use enough you can fashion a stand out of the non-bug end.
Put a drop of super glue in a teaspoon, dip your wire or pin into the edge, then hold it to the bug. Breathing on it speeds up setting!
The extra-flexible type used for multimeter probes can have fine strands - one of the standards is 26 strands 0.07mm diameter. Somebody might find a use?
I worked long ago for a Tube Works, on a visit their sister company, we were told of their world record finest tube, which was made for artificial insemination of mosquitos.
I've often wondered how they stop them wriggling...
I worked long ago for a Tube Works, on a visit their sister company, we were told of their world record finest tube, which was made for artificial insemination of mosquitos.
I've often wondered how they stop them wriggling...
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- Posts: 5786
- Joined: Sun Mar 09, 2008 2:17 am
- Location: Reading, Berkshire, England
In my (limited) experience it's really tricky to mount small bugs with tiny needles. What works best for me personally is a toothpick, which I colour black with permanent marker beforehand. I tip the end in a small dab of superglue on a piece of paper, use the toothpick to pick up the bug, usually on the bottom of its abdomen. Then I let it hang and rest for a bit to harden it, just with some blu-tack. Finally to mount it for a photo, I have a watkins & doncaster insect examination stage and I just push and fix the toothpick onto the sharp end, cutting away excess. Works for me!
For larger specimens (say 5mm upwards), instead of using a toothpick I use "entomology pins", again dabbed in superglue, but I have a bit of cork on the end of the stage, and slot the pin in using a precut slit. Then cut the rest off. I tend to use .55mm ent pins the most but also use .27mm depending on the size of the thing. The whole operation is usually done with tweezers, I find it easier.
For larger specimens (say 5mm upwards), instead of using a toothpick I use "entomology pins", again dabbed in superglue, but I have a bit of cork on the end of the stage, and slot the pin in using a precut slit. Then cut the rest off. I tend to use .55mm ent pins the most but also use .27mm depending on the size of the thing. The whole operation is usually done with tweezers, I find it easier.
My extreme-macro.co.uk site, a learning site. Your comments and input there would be gratefully appreciated.