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How to Make a Spreading Board The wings of moths and butterflies look better and are easier to identify

if their wings are spread. This is done with a spreading board. Directions for using a spreading board are given on page 11. If you do not have a spreading board, you can easily make one according to the following directions. There are also other styles of spreading boards. Balsa block spreading board--This is merely a block of balsa wood 6 x 6 x 2 inches with a slot cut in one face of the block. The slot should be 1/2 to 1 inch deep and just a little wider than the body of the insect whose wings you want to spread.

Platform-type spreading board--This board is a little harder to make, but it does not require so much balsa wood. Also you can taper the width of the slot to do the job of an adjustable purchased board. When spreading an insect, you just pick the proper place along the slot that best fits your insect. The exact length and width of the board is a matter of choice, but 12 to 15 inches long by about 4 inches wide is a convenient size. However, the distance from the top of the board to the top of the bottom piece should be 1 1/4 inch or more. If you make this dimension too short, the bottom piece will stop the insect pin and hold the insect above the spreading surface of the board. To assemble the board, place the top pieces on the legs so the width of the slot between the top pieces is 1/8 inch at one end and 1/2 inch at the other end. Nail the top pieces in place, and then turn the board over so the legs are up. Glue a length of balsa wood strip about 2 inches wide and 1/4-inch thick over the slot. The balsa strip should be long enough to cover the entire length of the slot. Then nail on the bottom piece. The bottom piece makes the board sturdier and protects the pins that poke through the balsa strip when there are insects on the board.

Insect Spreading Board Use spreading boards to spread the wings of butterflies and moths for display. This enhances the insect specimens and makes the collection look neater and more beautiful. Materials needed Balsa wood -- 2 pieces, 2 16 inches Support blocks -- 2 pieces, 2 5 inches Balsa wood -- 1 piece, inch-squared 15 inches Glue

To construct the spreading board, begin by gluing the two large 2 by 16-inch stips of balsa wood to the support blocks, being sure to leave a inch of space between the two pieces. The balsa wood strip, inch-squared 15 inches, fits under the inch of space between the two support blocks. This gives a pinning surface to use when spreading the wings of butterflies and moths.

You can also make a spreading board from Styrofoam sheets. The blue insulation Styrofoam is ideal. Spreading Insects

You must spread the wings of moths and butterflies before the specimens dry. Use the following procedure: 1. Pin the insect through the middle of the thorax at the thickest part, slightly behind the base of the forewing. The pin should emerge between the middle pair of legs. 2. Insert the pin into the center groove in the spreading board until the wings are level with the sides of the spreading board. 3. With the aid of an insect pin, adjust the front wing by gently pulling it forward, until the rear margin is at a right angle to the body of the insect. When moving the wing, rest your pin on the front margin of the wing. The wing can be temporarily anchored to the board by carefully inserting a pin through the wing membrane, directly behind the wing margin. 4. Pull the hind wing forward until the front margin is hidden beneath the front wing, and temporarily anchor it in the same manner as the front wing. 5. Once the wings are in position, place strips of paper over the wings; anchor them firmly to the board, and remove the temporary pins. 6. Allow specimens to remain on the spreading board for about a week. Larger specimens may take longer.

Protect Your Insects Scavenger insects can easily destroy an insect collection in a short time. It is extremely important that specimens in holding and display boxes be protected by moth balls or moth crystals or a pest strip. In opposite corners of each box, place five to six moth balls (or at least two caches of crystals). A 1-inch by 2-inch piece of pest strip will also keep down scavengers. Be sure you change the pest strips at least once per year. Always keep boxes tightly sealed when not in use. Also, always promptly remove insects from pinning and spreading baords after they have adequately dried (5 to 10 days).

Materials to Build a Standard 4H Insect Display Box

Part A - End B - End C - Sides D - Bottom E - Pinning surface F - Top

Quantity 1 1 2 1 1 1

Materials white pine white pine white pine plywood foam glass

Size (inches) 3/4 x 3 x 17 3/4 x 2 2/5 x 17 1/2 3/4 x 3x 16 1/2 1/8 x 16 1/2 x 19 1/2 x 15 x 17 1/2 1/8 x 16 x 18 1/8

Standard insect box

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