Insect Pinning Disaster - Fixing a Dragonfly Tail and Leg

At the beginning of the summer I knew this years goal was to:

1. teach the kids hands on pinning and

2. catch a dragonfly.

Insects have their seasonal cycles, so dragonfly's wouldn't be found until August through September.

Insect Pinning Disaster - Fixing a Dragonfly Tail and Leg

Our first goal was achieved and fast. Baby girl started pinning quickly. We organized and outing with our cousins to go bug collecting and pin some specimens (that I gathered previously) to pin when we get back home. That was a fun day helping get others addicted to our hobby.

Back to dragonflies. We had a wonderful friend send us a "Lion Ant" dragonfly she found near her home in McHenry County. We talked about packaging him securely in a plastic bag, adding him to a box a firm envelope so he doesn't break further. Yes we get everyone involved in our collecting! ! ! And all are welcome!

You can see that the specimen had its limb and tail broken off. However, no worries, we can easily fix these kind of problems.


First pin the dragonfly. Luckily I didn't have to rehydrate (soften) the specimen.

Then using as little clear nail polish as possible, I attached the limb. I tend to blow on the glue spot (where the Nail polish is added) to quicken the drying process.

LIFE IS STILL EXCITING AT OUR HOUSE! 

With more insects. . . 

Quick 2021 update - we have taken our bugs online and on youtube. Visit AMI Studios Chicago if you want to see our insect videos - you can watch them here. 

AMI Studios Chicago

It's mostly baby girls videos and here slime making, she spends time with friends on coloring activities and make good choices while having fun. During the covid stay at home orders - she had many many many facetime pandemic playdates - we made time work for us and not be bored.

 

Then I glued on the tail. You can see in the second picture here, I used the criss-cross pin method to support the tail as it dries. The pins and dragonfly will stay here for a few days, since they can shrink as they dry out, so it better to leave the pins in place and make sure they cure in the position you staged them in.

Insect Pinning Disaster - Fixing a Dragonfly Tail and Leg

(I had pinned a spider with his legs in a "crawling" natural way... In my enthusiasm I removed the pins the next day, too quickly. After admiring my work I put him back in storage because on day two he'd be moved to a permanent box. When day 2 came I was excited to see our spider, who's legs curled under his body. So disappointing! Yes, he can be softened again in a relaxing chamber (I call it rehydration), but that's investing more the in the same specimen.)

Our year resulted in a total of 7 dragonfly specimens. Currently their held in a box, with some moth ball scrapings. They'll be moved to a display box similar to the way I staged our ladybugs.

Original Post Date: October 19, 2014

Make mistakes, breath and laugh out loud!