Question Mounting Butterflies

[FrameandSaveCT]

I had a client come into my store with dried butterflies. I'm curious to know if anyone has experience in mounting them. They are full bodied, dried butterflies and I would assume very fragile. I would appreciate any advice so I don't lose the job.

Thanks,

Erik

 

[framah]

Are they set with the wings spread? ...or does the customer want you to open them and then mount them?

If they are already opened, and if they already have a pin thru them, you only need to put a dab of glue where the pin will go thru the mounting board.

Big butterflies and moths sometimes need 2 pins thru the body so they stay in position and don't rotate around a single pin.

 

[blackiris]

DITTO!!!!!!

Do a search on Star fish....... same difference!

Welcome to the G!

 

[Prospero]

If they have been properly prepared they will be pinned through the thorax. They should only be handled with the pin using a pair of tweezers. In this state they can be arranged on a board (usually cork-faced).
If they are in packets with the wings closed and not pinned they need to be re-humidified and set with a pin on a special cork board with a groove down the middle. The wings need to be spread and held open using blotting paper pinned around the edges. A delicate job and not really something you want to learn on someone's prize collection.

btw. Specimens such as these are very vunerable to attack from other insects. Museums use various chemicals within display cases. Not sure what the current methods are. Paradichlorobenzene was used alot at one time, but nor sure if it's still available. (or legal)

 

[framah]

Thymol is what I was taught to use to ward off insects and mold and such. Doesn't stink as much as Paradichlorobenzene.

Paradichlorobenzene is commonly known as moth balls or flakes.

 

[framah]

A method for helping to open the wings is to take an insulin needle and syringe and inject some hot water into the body where the wings are attached. This is supposed to help soften the wing muscles and allow you to open the wings without breaking them off the body.

Worked for me when I tired it. Then you pin them flat on a mounting board like Mr. Prospero mentioned.

 

[FrameandSaveCT]

Are they set with the wings spread? ...or does the customer want you to open them and then mount them?

If they are already opened, and if they already have a pin thru them, you only need to put a dab of glue where the pin will go thru the mounting board.

Big butterflies and moths sometimes need 2 pins thru the body so they stay in position and don't rotate around a single pin.

The Butterflies are not pinned and the wings are fully extended. Is there a certain kind of pin to use and should I be using glue as well. Also someone mentioned cork. Ideally I would like to mount them onto a matboard. Would the cork go behind the matboard?

 

[framah]

The reason for cork board is the pins will push in with little pressure. Maybe you could use some fabric over the cork board.
Pushing a pin thru mat board will be tough unless you manage to make a tiny hole before hand.

As for the glue... most butterflies sit tightly on the pin, but some seem to want to swivel on it and then you might need a tiny dab of glue on the underside of the body to hold in place. You will need to hold the setup while the glue is drying.

Most any pin will do but the length will be a deciding factor determined by the size of the body and how far away from the backer it will sit and how much of the pin will be embedded into the backer.