Baby Girl Pinned Dragonflies Stink Bugs and other Insects at 3 years old

We spent the weekend in Indiana and of course enjoyed some bug collecting! I walked my moms entire garden, and after some very wet weather (early May) we had a limited amount of bugs.

However, dragonflies were about!! She lives near the dunes, with lots of wet and marsh areas. Heaven for some dragon and damselfly species.

Baby Girl Pinned Dragonflies Stink Bugs and other Insects at 3 years old

Baby girl pinned 3 0f our 9 Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs collected Indoors. They are invading our room and walking along the ceiling - ewe!Also a yet to identify Spider, stinging fly and a golden abdomen weevil found on the UNDER side of a plants leaf.

Learn more at our blog Areyousureaboutthatblog dot blogspot dot comPictured here is a Jewelwing Damselfly. I don't use a regular spreading board - altho I will soon enuf. I make some indentations in styrofoam to fit the body and allow the wings to lay flat.

Our Very First EVER Insect Collection Bug Box it only took 2 years

Exploring Insects has been tremendous for our family. Learning, experiencing, and sharing wonderful moments together.

Our Very First EVER Insect Collection Bug Box it only took 2 years

The big reveal!

We are excited to share our FIRST BUG BOX! 

We made plenty of mistakes in making this collection. AND we learned more then our mistakes. That's probably why we keep doing it? We are avid bug collectors as our family hobby - Learn more at areyousureaboutthatblog.blogspot.com

Our Very First EVER Insect Collection Bug Box it only took 2 years 

These were some of the tools - totally amateur that made this bug box collection happen. 

• Empty containers (cleaned after the nutella was gone!)
• Pin cushion (I would use a box tho - little yucky bug bits and all)
• Clear nail polish - that is ONLY for the bugs.
• Nail polish remover - the poison that kills them in the bug jar (on a cotton ball- toxic!)
• Plastic tupperware container - to hold the stages bug in an air tight lid while they "cure"
• That PLUS Sign cut out - was for the moth balls. Now we just shave bits into the box directly . . . easier and clean.

We love insect collecting. Check out our blog to learn more about how to set up your own supplies. areyousureaboutthatblog.blogspot.com

How about in video versions. . . 

Our Very First EVER Insect Collection Bug Box it only took 2 years

Bug Collecting with Kids - Showing off their Insect Specimen

Bug collecting has become something more then a hobby for our family. At 1,000 + specimens I am wondering if it's our obsession? We end up collecting everywhere we go. We recently were at a friends house warming party, and we brought our bug collection jars, yes really! The jars go everywhere with us. Turns out our friends are on an acre of land with an amazing Prarie in their backyard. So with my after dessert coffee in tow, as well as baby girl, we hit the yard. 

Bug Collecting with Kids - Showing off their Insect Specimen

Quietly. I don't make a big deal about collecting, we just take our jars an go off to look at plants, and under the leafs (where bugs often hide). We didn't get 10 steps in when I suddenly had 3 more kids following us asking loads of questions!

Kids are naturally curious, they want to know everything. So without agenda we answer their questions. The old me would have certain things I want to be sure to tell the kids, however I've learned over these 9 years of parenting that the core information does get across, even if it's in a simple discussion format. We talked about how we capture them, and then the kids true their attempts at capture. We put the jar over the bugs, and either "seal" them in plant and all like with the Leaf Hoppers that jump. Or with the green Dog Bane beetle, they just fall off the plant (that's their defense mechanism) into the jar.

The kids also learned quickly that bugs like the warmth of the sun. We didn't find any insects in the shade, and the few we did find that late in the afternoon (5:00 pm) were sitting on plants in the late afternoon sun.
The insects collected at Green Oaks (top row, from left, Wasp, leaf hopper, bottom row, dog bane beetle, assassin bug)

Bug Collecting with Kids - Showing off their Specimen, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

Finding Bug Boxes for our Insect Collection

We recently found 198 insects on an impromptu bug hunt at Indiana Dunes Beach. Now I need a place to store them. I found these amazing microphone storage cases at Goodwill for $2.00 each. They close to a perfect seal (so no flies or tiny bugs can get in.) I'll still add my moth ball case for added security and prevention of infestation.

Finding Bug Boxes for our Insect Collection

I checked at the store that the cushioning is removable, which it was. I ripped out the lining - and here's what they look like.

Insect Cemetery - a Bug Collectors Goldmine at Indiana Dunes State Park

On a visit today to babcias house in Indiana, baby girl wanted to visit the beach. It was a chilly start to Memorial Day weekend! We sorted through some rocks, and were parked for maybe 10 minutes when she wanted to leave!!

Insect Cemetery - a Bug Collectors Goldmine at Indiana Dunes State Park

On our way out we decided to climb a sand dune. But we were suddenly interrupted when we came across this pile of sticks. You can see how small of a pile it is compared to baby girl. There were dozens of dead lady bugs, ants, and a wife variety of beetles. 

An Impromptu Bug Collection during Autumn Break - Our Family Hobby Insect Collecting

During our annual trip to Wisconsin Dells, we stay at my dads home there. And it's always fun "opening" the cabin. We have to turn on the water, heat, and usually in the Autumn and Early Winter, Sweeps up the Guests who are coming in to hibernate and excape from the cold. In 2011 we had just begun bug collecting, as you can read about here.

An Impromptu Bug Collection during Autumn Break - Our Family Hobby Insect Collecting

During this trip on October 23, 2012 we found a significant amount of lady bugs, western conifers, and a few flies and an ear wig. I am assuming all were headed indoors for hibernation, however the lack of food killed them. The reason this box is impromptu is because I had NO bug collecting supplies with me. Nothing for pinning either. So what does a mom do when her kids suggest what we just swept up be collected? We went to walgreens in downtown Wisconsin Dells.

At walgreens I found a Ferraro Roche Chocolates clear box, $11 for the benefit of having to eat the chocolates too. Straight Pins set $3. And El Cheapo Clear Nail Polish for $0.99. (Nowadays I always have my "good clear polish" with me that I could've become a donation to the collection. I would reuse polish after it's been bug touching. Paper and styrofoam were readily available at the cabin because my dad keeps stuff - not alot - but just enough "just incase" it's needed. So the garage had some styrofoam left over from a delivery he had. Yaay.

In the Process of Collecting Bugs - a Mid Season Review of Our Family Hobby in Progress

Insect Collecting doesn't have to take up a lot of space. Here I have a Tupperware container storing our pins, glues, and chemicals. The small clear case temporarily holds the bugs until we find the bigger home. This is a tupperware container holding our pinning and staging supplies. 

In the Process of Collecting Bugs - a Mid Season Review of Our Family Hobby in Progress

Here are some additional supplies laid out. I have My Tupperware container on the top left. Next to the right is a 4-pack of clear boxes form a garage sale, for found injured or dead specimens. The 2nd row from the left, is my pinsol vile for the hydration jar, Clear nail polish, a plain plastic collection jar - also can be used as a hydration jar, lid, small styrofoam piece with pins for staging, purple push pad, envelope with steel pins, Small container and lid for 50/50 mix of water and pinesol when used for hydration (I put the bottom vowl in the hydration jar, and the insect - not in the liquid - in the jar). 

Tips for Pinning Bugs Beyond the Basics and Helpful Tips even vacation

As you know our Family Hobby is Bug Collecting. This year the kids are each getting there own box to fill, with pinned bugs that they will pin and stage completely on their own. I Can. Not. Wait!  I recently blogged about pinning a House Centipede through a series of photos, see it here. 

Tips for Pinning Bugs Beyond the Basics and Helpful Tips even vacation

AS I wrote my draft I realized there's a series of tips to consider when pinning. I hope this is helpful to anyone who has been pinning for years, and for beginners.

Here are a few tips I have collected on pinning bugs. Happy Pinning!


These bugs were collected at Loyola Beach in Chicago. I picked up what I thought were 7 bugs, they turned out to be 28 of them! Attached together in sandy bits.

Where to Collect Bugs in Early Spring - Our Family Hobby Insect Collection

We are very excited about a new season of bug collecting. The kids are even bringing up ideas and where we should go and look for bugs this year. While the Polar Vortex has been been haunting Chicagoland, with 40 degree weather on May 1st, we are already finding some of our tiny world friends.

Where to Collect Bugs in Early Spring - Our Family Hobby Insect Collection

We had a patch of warm weather with 60-70 degree temperature in April. I was looking at our front garden flowers and heard this bumble bee buzzing around. Insects are around us year round, just hibernating the through the cold months.

These photos were taken with my Iphone 5. It gets the job done. This bumble bee was captured in three shots, happily finding nectar, hovering on the flowers edge and then I caught him just before he flew away. and he inspired me to write about where bugs can be found this early in the season. ESPECAILLY considering the insanely colder then normal tempaeratures around here.

We have started collecting this year already, and here's where we found our specimens.

Where to Collect Bugs in Early Spring: Our Insect Collection, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

I'm still very pleased with my self and this photo of our little friend in our front garden. 

Photo Steps How to Pin a Bug - Freezer Method - Our Insect Collection and Family Hobby

We have been pinning bugs for 2 years now. IN the time I have developed a process for pinning. some shortcuts, and ways to improve the process for myself. I found a nice sized house centipede. I have done alot of reading this winter on insect collecting and entomology taxonomy, so since I have already decided to start live collecting, he was going to be our first specimen.

Photo Steps How to Pin a Bug - Freezer Method - Our Insect Collection and Family Hobby

I also wanted to capture the Steps to Pin an Insect in Photos. Here's a short series in pinning a House Centipede, he was found when we returned home from overnighting at my mom's house. He made a fast trip up my daughter bedroom curtains.I sill get a little creeped out when I first spot an insect, but my reaction quickly passes and I went into collecting mode.

What You Will Need to Pin Bugs:

• A plastic or glass collection jar - to put the bug in.
• something flat and firm to slide under the bug and trap in the jar.
• a kill jar (learn how to make one here or here) or access to a freezer (method which I used).
• styrofoam
• pins (depending on our level of collecting, you can use straight pins from home or purchase pins designed or pinning bugs that are museum grade)
• tweezers, optional
• clear nail polish or Elmer's all white school glue PVA. Learn more about glues here, and Elmer's glue for bugs here.
• box with secure air tight lid for storage and curing (we use Tupperware)
• bug storage box (we used Ferraro Roche chocolate boxes for our straight pins, but now we have shadow boxes for our bug pins).
• lead pencil and paper for labeling (we use all cotton rag paper, but standard white paper will due). Pencil or a printed label. However I find labeling as we go is easier for us.

Our Insects Pinned Wasp as a Gift and How To Pin Insects Guide

On a nature center visit in summer of 2013 all the cousins have a Nature Scavenger Hunt to complete. On our list was find an insect, of course! Each child found one, alive or dead. Our young cousin A (age 5 at the time) found this dead wasp and another insect, unidentified. 

Our Insects Pinned Wasp as a Gift and How To Pin Insects Guide 

So I pinned them for her. I have many many baby food jars still in storage from the days when I home made baby food for my little ones. I never threw out the jars because they have so many uses: seasonings jar, lost and found trinkets in the laundry room, leftover storage for sauces and condiments to refrigerate, and now, EXCELLENT bug storage.


I want her to have her bug from our outing (which the kids all still talk about today). It's a unique treasure. She can see the bug from all angles and access it by unscrewing the lid. 

I'll be sure to instruct her (and mom) to keep it well away from her two younger siblings and find a special home for this keepsake. And really the gift will be able to survive for generations if they want.

Our Insects: Pinned Wasp as a Gift, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

A Mom's Guide - How We Started Bug Collecting Our Family Hobby Insect Collecting

Our families bug collecting started simple enough. My older son found a dead bee at grandpas house around 2007. "Mom, can we keep it?" "um, ...sure. Why not?"

Little did I know this would start a terrific family hobby. 

A Mom's Guide - How We Started Bug Collecting Our Family Hobby Insect Collecting

Who knew bug collecting was a low cost, nearly no cost way to learn about nature, science, nurturing, ethics, and really a tremendous amount of learning and bonding for me and my kids, year round! I'm sure your thinking this is GROSS! 

At first I was a little creeped out by these tiny creatures, all be it dead, laying around my home. But once we started reading about collecting bugs, and then grabbing library books on how bugs live - well drop everything! It's truly an amazing other world right under our feet.

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A Mom's Guide: How We Started Bug Collecting, Our Family Hobby

This first dead bumble bee we found at grandmas house did not make the first bug box collection of 2010. My older son was 6, and brought me this dead bee in the palm of his hand. Yes I was irritated by the thought of it (irrational thoughts: it's gross, will it sting him, it's really gross). I grabbed a small  envelope at my dads and put the bee inside. I had agreed to take it home "to keep."

Insect Souvenirs that Baby Girl Explores

As you may know we are avid insect collectors. In a period of 2 years we have grown our insect collection to 205 insects, including these beauties - Jamaican wasp, bees, beetle and a hermit crab.

Baby girl loves to observe as we pin the insects. She stands breathless watching the pin go into the body. Then, she often asks to see them in the curing box. She has not been allowed to handle the pins yet, shes only two years old. However I feed her fascination with insects every step of the way. She often finds them before I do, on the sidewalk, in the house, or outdoors on a walk. Kids are extremely observant if we give them the time they deserve to explore.


Insect Souvenirs that Baby Girl Explores, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

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