Insect Collecting

The collection of insects and other invertebrates.

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Not a common hobby, but that's why I picked it up.  I've found that I've been able to learn more about the weird and wonderous world of bugs though the process of identifying and displaying specimens.

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I'm not entirely sure what inspired me to start collecting, maybe I just thought that the collections you see in museums was pretty neat and wanted to replicate that.  When I first started I was just storing dead bugs I found in an old box, however I started researching on how to properly display a variety of different insects and once I felt confident enough I started to actually pin them using old sewing needles.

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I started off with more simple specimens, like flies, wasps and cicadas.  Then gradually onto more complex species as my skill set grew.  The first "complex" specimen I displayed was a Lemon Tree Borer (beetle species), and I managed to display it with it's elytra and wings fully extended out.  From there my skills and collection only grew.

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Now I can fully taxidermy large insects like Weta, that need to have their guts taken out as to not rot.  I have even done multiple sea sponges and a sea star.

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The majority of my specimens I find are already dead, however the ones I do kill are usually introduced/invasive species or if the insect is already dying.  I euthanise them by placing them in the freezer where they naturally fall asleep before their body shuts down.  I also usually refuse to kill any native species.

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I'm not sure on what the future holds for this hobby, maybe take on a bit of freelance work if people want insects displayed.  What I know is that I find enjoyment out of it and see it as a strange, but unique art form.  Trying to capture the beauty of the tiny beasts around us.