Posted by ChrisR on 12-09-2007 20:16
#81
Yes, keeping flies in 98% (absolute alcohol) is usually only necessary if they are being used for DNA analysis. This grade of alcohol will dehydrate specimens more and will also be more difficult to curate because the spirit evapourates too fast. Diluting it to 70% slows down evapouration and dehydration, but for soft-bodied flies it is always preferable to take them through a rehydration/extraction process to prevent the specimen from shrivelling up when the alcohol evapourates. But for tachinids I haven't found this necessary. :D