Temporary Cases
If it is not convenient to mount the specimens when they are taken from the killing bottle, the moths and butterflies should be put in papers and other insects in cellucotton.
Papers are simply rectangular strips of paper of convenient size folded as in [fig. 9]. A moth or butterfly, with its wings folded, is placed in a paper, the edges of which are then crimped over to lock it shut.
For insects other than moths or butterflies, cardboard pillboxes containing cellucotton make good temporary housing, [fig. 10]. A layer of cellucotton is laid in the bottom, a layer of insects placed on it, and another layer of cellucotton placed over the insects. The lid should fit fairly snugly over all. Cigar boxes and other boxes of like size also may be used in the same way.
Fig. 9.—Papers. These are temporary means of keeping dragonflies, moths, butterflies, and small insects of other kinds until they can be relaxed and mounted. A rectangular piece of paper, of a size suited to the insect it is to contain, is folded along the dotted lines and in the directions indicated by arrows, as shown in a, b, and c.
Great care must be taken that sufficient cellucotton is put in the box to take up all moisture in the insect bodies. If the specimens are large, they should be allowed to dry moderately uncovered before being placed in cellucotton in storage containers. If insects become damp in the containers they quickly mold or rot. The containers should be wood or cardboard boxes, for they will not sweat, as will a metal box. The insects should be packed tightly enough to prevent their rolling around and breaking.