1. Transfer insects from net to bottle by holding the uncorked bottle in a fold or corner of the net and crowding one or more of the specimens into it, or “running” the open bottle up the side of the net beneath the specimen or specimens. Most insects can be maneuvered into the bottle easily and the opening temporarily closed by the thumb, or the stopper can be put on. In obstinate cases, it may be desirable to stopper the bottle through the cloth of the net until the specimen is stupefied, after which the insect will drop to the bottom of the bottle.
2. Keep small, delicate insects in a bottle by themselves. Such insects as large beetles are apt to mutilate small flies and other delicate insects in the same bottle.
3. Keep a special bottle for moths and butterflies. When these die they shed large quantities of scales, which stick to and partially spoil other insects.
4. Keep the inside of the bottle dry. Cyanide bottles “sweat”; that is, moisture both from the insects and the plaster condenses on the inside of the bottle. Moisture will mat the hair and appendages of insects and discolor the bodies. Do not crowd the bottle with large insects, especially juicy ones like grasshoppers. Change the paper frequently. Wipe out the bottle with paper or cloth, which should be carefully disposed of in such a way that it cannot poison persons or pets. Keep the killing chemical out of cuts and mouth. Wash hands with care after handling the chemical.
5. Take insects out of the bottles soon after they are dead. Cyanide fumes quickly turn many yellows to red or orange, and also make small specimens brittle so that legs and other parts break off easily.
6. Empty the insects out of the bottles before they have accumulated in a ball at the bottom. To do so will prevent damage to the smaller specimens and discoloration due to “sweating.”
7. Dispose of a cyanide bottle when it will no longer kill insects quickly. Substitute a fresh bottle and you will save time in the field. Be sure to dispose of old bottles in such a way that their deadly contents are out of reach of children and pets.
Aspirators or Suckers
Small, rapidly moving insects, such as leafhoppers, diminutive beetles, and flies, may be collected by using an aspirator or sucker, figs. [4] and [5].
Construction.—An aspirator can be made from a capsule vial (available from a drugstore) or from a piece of glass tubing. A small olive bottle may be substituted for the vial.