Restoring dried-out insects kept in alcohol

Abstract

Recently, I have satisfactorily restored dried-out insects that had previously been stored in 75% ethyl alcohol in glass tubes. The alcohol had long since evaporated and the specimens and labels clung together on the bottoms of the vials, coated with a layer of debris that had been suspended in the alcohol. Insects in this condition are frequently discarded. However, the following method enabled the specimens to either be pinned or returned to 75% ethyl alcohol.