Gallery Links
Users Online
· Guests Online: 22

· Members Online: 0

· Total Members: 4,950
· Newest Member: JeffersonA
Forum Threads
Theme Switcher
Switch to:
Last Seen Users
· Liliane D< 5 mins
· Volker00:22:53
· weia01:01:20
· Tony Irwin01:12:40
· JCobain01:19:45
· RamiP01:23:43
· Reimund Ley01:24:40
· ESant02:05:45
· smol02:07:50
· Haleun02:10:46
Latest Photo Additions
View Thread
Diptera.info :: Miscellaneous :: General queries
Who is here? 1 guest(s)
 Print Thread
Storing flies in alcohol
Paul Beuk
#61 Print Post
Posted on 11-03-2008 20:07
User Avatar

Super Administrator

Location: Netherlands
Posts: 19217
Joined: 11.05.04

Hw do you control the atmosphere using the acetone? Not the most pleasant thing to be inhaling for longer times at an end.
Paul

- - - -

Paul Beuk on https://diptera.info
 
diptera.info
Michael Ackland
#62 Print Post
Posted on 12-03-2008 10:46
Member

Location: Dorset UK
Posts: 680
Joined: 23.02.08

1. I use small containers with only enough acetone to cover the flies
2. As I don't pin the flies before putting in acetone I can get 10 flies in a very small amount
3. Keep lids on except when transferring flies
4. Hold my breath as far as possible whilst transferring flies
 
Michael Ackland
#63 Print Post
Posted on 12-03-2008 10:58
Member

Location: Dorset UK
Posts: 680
Joined: 23.02.08

Some photos.

EDIT Paul Beuk: screenshot from ealier attached pdf added.
Michael Ackland attached the following image:


[22.23Kb]
Edited by Paul Beuk on 12-03-2008 12:24
 
Michael Ackland
#64 Print Post
Posted on 12-03-2008 11:04
Member

Location: Dorset UK
Posts: 680
Joined: 23.02.08

Can someone tell me why my photo attachments appear only as the file name, and don't open on the thread?
 
Kahis
#65 Print Post
Posted on 12-03-2008 11:18
User Avatar

Member

Location: Helsinki, Finland
Posts: 1999
Joined: 02.09.04

Michael Ackland wrote:
Can someone tell me why my photo attachments appear only as the file name, and don't open on the thread?


pdf files are not really images and they are treated differently depending on the browser. The forum don't even try to format them as images, which is only sensible. Can't really tell why the first one failed since I cannot see the input you send.
Kahis
 
www.iki.fi/kahanpaa
Michael Ackland
#66 Print Post
Posted on 12-03-2008 16:10
Member

Location: Dorset UK
Posts: 680
Joined: 23.02.08

Thanks Paul and Kahis

I'll try another reduced to 50% size. If this does not work I will try other formats
Michael Ackland attached the following file:
dscf0089.pdf
 
Michael Ackland
#67 Print Post
Posted on 12-03-2008 16:16
Member

Location: Dorset UK
Posts: 680
Joined: 23.02.08

I have converted them to JPEG and reduced the size. If you don't succeed at first, try again!!
Michael Ackland attached the following image:


[63.92Kb]
 
Michael Ackland
#68 Print Post
Posted on 12-03-2008 16:20
Member

Location: Dorset UK
Posts: 680
Joined: 23.02.08

Success at last!
Michael Ackland attached the following image:


[49.34Kb]
 
proctoss
#69 Print Post
Posted on 12-03-2008 16:35
User Avatar

Member

Location: Moscow, Russia
Posts: 191
Joined: 12.08.06

I would recommend not to use acetone, and in its place use hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) http://www.phorid.net/phoridae/dry.htm
Specimens after HMDS not as fragile as acetone after applying
Edited by proctoss on 12-03-2008 16:38
 
http://www.zin.ru/labs/insects/hymenopt/personalia/Kolyada/index.html
Kahis
#70 Print Post
Posted on 12-03-2008 18:56
User Avatar

Member

Location: Helsinki, Finland
Posts: 1999
Joined: 02.09.04

proctoss wrote:
I would recommend not to use acetone, and in its place use hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) http://www.phorid.net/phoridae/dry.htm
Specimens after HMDS not as fragile as acetone after applying


... and where can I buy HMDS for 5?/l? Wink

Also, I understand rhat HMDS is significantly more dangerous than acetone. For me, 'acetonised' flies are good enough, unless there are large differences in the long-term preservation between the methods.
Kahis
 
www.iki.fi/kahanpaa
crex
#71 Print Post
Posted on 02-04-2008 20:30
User Avatar

Member

Location: Sweden
Posts: 1996
Joined: 22.05.06

Now that I found a company that sells micro tubes in Sweden I need some 70% alcohol, but where do one find that? I know there are different laws and rules for selling this so maybe it's no good asking ... I have asked at the pharmacy (drugstore) and they have it, but you need a prescription from a doctor to buy it ShockSad
 
Andrzej
#72 Print Post
Posted on 02-04-2008 20:33
Member

Location: Poland
Posts: 2337
Joined: 05.01.06

Come to Poland please Cool
you can buy absolut without prescription Wink
Andrzej
 
Kahis
#73 Print Post
Posted on 02-04-2008 21:22
User Avatar

Member

Location: Helsinki, Finland
Posts: 1999
Joined: 02.09.04

crex wrote:
Now that I found a company that sells micro tubes in Sweden I need some 70% alcohol, but where do one find that? I know there are different laws and rules for selling this so maybe it's no good asking ... I have asked at the pharmacy (drugstore) and they have it, but you need a prescription from a doctor to buy it ShockSad


From Estonia Smile

Or you could contact a natural history museum and ask if they could donate a small amount for insect storage.

Using the various methylated spirits sold for alcohol stoves (T-sprit/T-r?d in swedish) is not recommended, but if you can not find anything else, go for it. Just dilute it with water to 70% before using. Try to find a brand with little/to colouring in it.
Kahis
 
www.iki.fi/kahanpaa
John Bratton
#74 Print Post
Posted on 03-04-2008 11:02
Member

Location: Menai Bridge, North Wales, UK
Posts: 638
Joined: 17.10.06

When diluting the alcohol with water, it is best to use distilled water. It doesn't have to be pefectly distilled: water out of a dehumidifier or the ice that builds up in a freezer will do. But tapwater often gives a precipitate when mixed with alcohol, calcareous I guess.

John
 
crex
#75 Print Post
Posted on 03-04-2008 13:22
User Avatar

Member

Location: Sweden
Posts: 1996
Joined: 22.05.06

Thanks for the suggestions. Destilled water (for car batteries) I guess one can buy at the regular petrol filling station.
 
Ralph Sipple
#76 Print Post
Posted on 30-07-2008 05:03
Member

Location: Ehingen (Danube), Germany
Posts: 95
Joined: 21.07.07

Hi together,

sorry for necroing this thread.

jorgemotalmeida wrote: ..."NEVER use formaldehyde because it alters the structures of the specimens"...

Some Dipterists working with e.g. sciarids recommend the use of 1% formaldehyd-solution, because it saves structures by immediatly hardening the objects. This seems to be a contradiction.

At present I use this fluid in Malaise trap and everything looks quite good. The only disadvantage seems to be that everything gets very stiff.

What do you think about this?

Regards
Ralph
Ralph
 
jorgemotalmeida
#77 Print Post
Posted on 30-07-2008 11:03
User Avatar

Member

Location: Viseu - PORTUGAL
Posts: 9296
Joined: 05.06.06

crex wrote:
Now that I found a company that sells micro tubes in Sweden I need some 70% alcohol, but where do one find that? I know there are different laws and rules for selling this so maybe it's no good asking ... I have asked at the pharmacy (drugstore) and they have it, but you need a prescription from a doctor to buy it ShockSad


crex, here in Portugal for 5 euros we can buy easily in supermarket, a bunch of them!!! I have 20 bottles of ethanol 70% in my house. Grin lol
 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/superegnum
jorgemotalmeida
#78 Print Post
Posted on 30-07-2008 11:07
User Avatar

Member

Location: Viseu - PORTUGAL
Posts: 9296
Joined: 05.06.06

Kahis wrote:
crex wrote:
Now that I found a company that sells micro tubes in Sweden I need some 70% alcohol, but where do one find that? I know there are different laws and rules for selling this so maybe it's no good asking ... I have asked at the pharmacy (drugstore) and they have it, but you need a prescription from a doctor to buy it ShockSad


From Estonia Smile

Or you could contact a natural history museum and ask if they could donate a small amount for insect storage.

Using the various methylated spirits sold for alcohol stoves (T-sprit/T-r?d in swedish) is not recommended, but if you can not find anything else, go for it. Just dilute it with water to 70% before using. Try to find a brand with little/to colouring in it.


Kahis, is it necessary really to mix distilled water with ehtanol 70%? I used to use only ethanol 70% for my specimens.
 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/superegnum
jorgemotalmeida
#79 Print Post
Posted on 30-07-2008 11:12
User Avatar

Member

Location: Viseu - PORTUGAL
Posts: 9296
Joined: 05.06.06

Ralph Sipple wrote:
Hi together,

sorry for necroing this thread.

jorgemotalmeida wrote: ..."NEVER use formaldehyde because it alters the structures of the specimens"...

Some Dipterists working with e.g. sciarids recommend the use of 1% formaldehyd-solution, because it saves structures by immediatly hardening the objects. This seems to be a contradiction.

At present I use this fluid in Malaise trap and everything looks quite good. The only disadvantage seems to be that everything gets very stiff.

What do you think about this?

Regards
Ralph


Maybe in infinitesimal quantities it doesn't harm the specimens. But if you only use Formaldehyde it is sure that it will damage the structures of the specimens.
 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/superegnum
Ralph Sipple
#80 Print Post
Posted on 31-07-2008 06:55
Member

Location: Ehingen (Danube), Germany
Posts: 95
Joined: 21.07.07

Hi Jorge,

sorry, I must dig deeper. What exactly happens with what structures? I?m sure, that there is no problem with sciarids, but I also want to avoid serious damages at other diptera-groupsSad.

My procedure is as follows:

>1% formaldehyd-solution in Malaise-trap for one week, additional some drops of "Mirasol", a surfactant from my darkroom.

>sieving through a tea strainer, careful rinsing with aqua demin.

>transfer in 70% Ethanol for long time storage

How would you do this with Malaise trap? Alcohol problematically evaporates (and accumulates water) during one week. What should I use better? ethyleneglycol?
Edited by Ralph Sipple on 31-07-2008 07:36
Ralph
 
Jump to Forum:
Similar Threads
Thread Forum Replies Last Post
Flies as Art The Lounge 27 08-02-2024 21:22
2 Empidoidea Tribe Flies says eklans. Diptera (adults) 5 14-12-2023 13:03
Flies from a dead dog - Part 1 (Centrophlebomyia) Diptera (adults) 58 20-10-2023 19:06
Like flies to a Stinkhorn...... Diptera (adults) 7 05-09-2023 14:17
Small orange fruit flies for id Diptera (adults) 2 15-08-2023 10:10
Date and time
28 March 2024 16:30
Login
Username

Password



Not a member yet?
Click here to register.

Forgotten your password?
Request a new one here.
Temporary email?
Due to fact this site has functionality making use of your email address, any registration using a temporary email address will be rejected.

Paul
Donate
Please, help to make
Diptera.info
possible and enable
further improvements!
Latest Articles
Syrph the Net
Those who want to have access to the Syrph the Net database need to sign the
License Agreement -
Click to Download


Public files of Syrph the Net can be downloaded HERE

Last updated: 25.08.2011
Shoutbox
You must login to post a message.

07.03.24 00:01
Some flies preserved in ethanol and then pinned often get the eyes sunken, how can this be avoided? Best answer: I usually keep alcohol-collected material in alcohol

17.08.23 15:23
Aneomochtherus

17.08.23 13:54
Tony, I HAD a blank in the file name. Sorry!

17.08.23 13:44
Tony, thanks! I tried it (see "Cylindromyia" Wink but don't see the image in the post.

17.08.23 11:37
pjt - just send the post and attached image. Do not preview thread, as this will lose the link to the image,

16.08.23 08:37
Tried to attach an image to a forum post. jpg, 32kB, 72dpi, no blanks, ... File name is correctly displayed, but when I click "Preview Thread" it just vanishes. Help!

23.02.23 21:29
Has anyone used the Leica DM500, any comments.

27.12.22 21:10
Thanks, Jan Willem! Much appreciated. Grin

19.12.22 11:33
Thanks Paul for your work on keeping this forum available! Just made a donation via PayPal.

09.10.22 17:07
Yes, dipterologists from far abroad, please buy your copy at veldshop. Stamps will be expensive, but he, the book is unreasonably cheap Smile

Render time: 4.15 seconds | 189,856,161 unique visits