Preparation of training specimens

I am currently receiving training in pest control, and am preparing training specimens as an identification exercise.

Originally, we molded an insect adhering to an adhesive sheet and made it into the shape of a needle-pierced specimen as a dried specimen for training.

Since things made with this method can be observed down to the smallest detail, there was an advantage of being able to learn the basics of insect identification.

However, this method had disadvantages during production, such as the fact that insects were damaged when peeling off the adhesive sheet, and that it took a lot of time.

In order to make up for the disadvantages, we adopted a new method of cutting off the part where the insect has adhered together with the adhesive sheet and using it as a sample.

The insects adhering to this specimen are in their original shape, and since they have not been molded, it is a dirty specimen that cannot be said to be in good shape.

However, this allows this specimen to function as a more practical identification training material.

In identification as a work, it is almost impossible to observe insects in a clean state like a needle-pierced specimen, such as crushed insects or poor posture.

Therefore, it is necessary to find parts that are key to identification from specimens in such poor condition, and to specify the type, training is necessary.

As a practice material, this “specimen with just cut off the adhesive sheet” was perfect. I would like to practice using these specimens so that identification can be performed more efficiently.

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