All invertebrates require to be preserved in different ways depending on their stage of life or body structure. Some species also require them to be collected or 'fixed' in certain ways prior to permanent storage. The basic recommendations for preserving insects and their allies are outlined below, but for more detailed information refer to the book by Upton (1991).

Araneae (spiders): to be preserved in 80% ethyl alcohol where available or in isopropyl alcohol. Top

Scorpionida (scorpions): to be preserved in 80% ethyl alcohol where available or in isopropyl alcohol. Top

Pseudoscorpionida (false scorpions): to be preserved in 70% ethyl alcohol where available or isopropyl alcohol. These tiny creatures can also be mounted on microslides with Euparal or similar resin-based mountants. Top

Opiliones (harvestmen): to be preserved in 80% ethyl alcohol where available or isopropyl alcohol. Top

Acari (mites): to be preserved in 70% ethyl alcohol where available or isopropyl alcohol. These tiny creatures can also be mounted on microslides with water-miscible mountants such as Hoyer's or with Heinz (PVA) mounting medium if permanent storage is not required. Top

Chilopoda (centipedes): to be preserved in 75% ethyl alcohol where available or isopropyl alcohol. Top

Diplopoda (millipedes): to be preserved in 75% ethyl alcohol where available or isopropyl alcohol. Top

Annelida (earthworms): to be preserved in 85% ethyl alcohol where available or isopropyl alcohol. Top

Isopoda (slaters): to be preserved in 85% ethyl alcohol where available or isopropyl alcohol. Top

Gastropoda (slugs and snails): place live slugs and snails into water containing a few menthol crystals and leave over night. When fully extended remove and place into approximately 90% ethyl alcohol where available or isopropyl alcohol. Top

Collembola (springtails): to be preserved into 95% ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. Specimens can also be mounted on microslides with with water-miscible mountants such as Hoyer's or with Heinz (PVA) mounting medium if permanent storage is not required. Top

Diplura: to be preserved into 75% ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol or mounted on microslides with Hoyer's or other water-miscible mountants or with Heinz (PVA) if permanent storage is not essential. Top

Protura: to be preserved into 80% ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol or mounted on microslides with Hoyer's or other water-miscible mountant. Top

Archaeognatha (bristletails): to be preserved into 80% ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. Top

Thysanura (silverfish): to be preserved into 80% ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. Top

Ephemeroptera (mayflies): preserve nymphs in 80% ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol with about 5% glycerol. Adults can be preserved pinned through the centre of the thorax with the wings spread. Top

Odonata (dragonflies, damselflies): preserve nymphs in 80% ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. Adults can be preserved pinned through the centre of the thorax with the wings spread and front of forewings set at right angles to the body. Top

Plecoptera (stoneflies): preserve nymphs in 80% ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. Adults can be preserved pinned through the centre of the thorax with the wings spread. Top

Blattodea (cockroaches): preserve pinned through the centre of the thorax. The wings on the left side may be spread if desired. Large specimens may need to be gutted. Top

Isoptera (termites): preserve nymphs in 80% ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. Make sure to collect a series of castes especially soldiers and winged adults as identification is determined by these individuals. Top

Mantodea (praying mantids): preserve adults pinned between base of wings, open the fore tibia and femur to about right angles and spread the left hand wings. Nymphs preferably reared through to maturity. Top

Dermaptera (earwigs): to be preserved in 75% ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. Top

Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, katydids): preserve adults pinned through the right side of the thorax with the left hand wings spread. Large specimens may need to be gutted. Nymphs and very soft bodied individuals should be preserved in 75% ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. Top

Phasmatodea (stick insects): gut larger specimens and preserve pinned through the base of the mesothorax and bases of the mesothoracic legs. Spread left wings and fold the antennae back along the body. Ideally nymphs should be reared through to maturity. Top

Embioptera (web-spinners): to be preserved in 75% ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol or mounted on slides with resin based mountants such as Euparal. Winged adults can be pinned through the centre of the thorax with the wings spread. Top

Psocoptera (booklice): to be preserved in 80% ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. May be mounted on slides with a resin based mountant as required. Top

Phthiraptera (lice): to be preserved in 80% ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol or mounted onto slides with a resin based mountant. Top

Hemiptera (bugs, aphids, scale): due to the variety of Hemipteran types the preservation techniques vary between groups. Most can be preserved into 75-80% ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. Larger adults can be pinned just right of the centre of the thorax, while smaller species can be placed on points. Spread wings of some pinned species such as cicadas and hoppers. Other soft bodied species including scale, mealybugs or aphids can be mounted onto slides with resin based mountants. Top

Thysanoptera (thrips): to be preserved mounted onto slides with a resin based mountant, spreading the legs, wings and straightening the antennae. Top

Megaloptera (alderflies, dobsonflies): to be preserved in 80% ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. Some species may be preserved dry and pinned through the centre of the thorax with the wings spread. Top

Neuroptera (antlions, lacewings): smaller species to be preserved in 80% ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. Others pinned through the right side of the thorax with the wings spread making sure the body is well supported. Top

Coleoptera (beetles, weevils): larvae to be fixed in KAA or hot water and then preserved in 80% ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. Adults should be pinned through the right side of the elytra towards the front, small species on points. Large numbers of adults can be stored dry with tissues in tubes. Top

Strepsiptera (stylopids): to be preserved in 80% ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol or mounted on slides with a resin based mountant. Winged males can be pinned or placed on points. Top

Mecoptera (scorpion-flies): adults should be pinned through the right of the thorax with wings spread. Care should be taken to fold legs so they do not break off. Larvae and pupae can be fixed in KAA and preserved in 80% ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. Top

Siphonaptera (fleas): to be preserved in 80% ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol or mounted on slides using a resin based mountant. Top

Diptera (flies, mosquitoes): larger adults can be pinned through the right side of the thorax while smaller specimens pinned onto stages or cube mounts. Larvae and small specimens preserved in 70% ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol while some species can be mounted on slides. Top

Trichoptera (caddisflies): to be preserved in 80% ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol or pinned through the right side of the thorax with the wings spread. Top

Lepidoptera (moths, butterflies): fix large larvae in KAA and then preserve in 95% ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. Smaller larvae can be fixed in hot water then into 95% ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. Adults should be preserved pinned through the thorax with the wings spread, never store adults in alcohol. Top

Hymenoptera (ants, bees, wasps): preserve adults in 80% ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol or pin through the right side of the thorax with smaller specimens on points. Some species may need to be pinned obliquely to miss the forelegs. Ants are always mounted on points, never pinned. Preserve larvae and pupae in 80% ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. Top