採存蟲標

採存蟲標以館級之準為分類、參考、生態之研。

用時

• 需實標為定分類之識
• 建某境、某域、某類之參考集
• 存憑標為已刊生態之研
• 需送標於分類之專以識
• 整或復舊蟲集

入

• 必：採地之合法權、合目類之具、存材（針、乙醇、或二）、標材（檔紙、細筆或印）
• 可選：展板、柔室、解剖顯微、庫系、單盤、屜、存櫃

法

第一步：驗法之求

採前確於地有合法之權且目類非護。

FUNDAMENTAL RULE:
Never collect without proper authorization. Never collect from
protected areas without explicit permits. Never collect protected
species. The scientific value of a specimen is zero if it was
collected illegally — it cannot be published, deposited in a
museum, or used in formal research.

Legal Checklist:
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Requirement        | Verify                                   |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Land access        | Written permission from landowner, or    |
|                    | site is publicly accessible for          |
|                    | collecting (many parks prohibit it)      |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Collection permit  | Required for most public lands, nature   |
|                    | reserves, national parks. Apply through  |
|                    | the managing agency. Specify taxa,       |
|                    | methods, dates, and quantities.          |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Protected species  | Check national and regional red lists,   |
|                    | CITES appendices, and local endangered   |
|                    | species legislation. Some butterflies,   |
|                    | beetles, and dragonflies are protected.  |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Export/import      | Moving specimens across international    |
|                    | borders requires phytosanitary           |
|                    | certificates and may require CITES       |
|                    | permits depending on the taxon.          |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Institutional      | If collecting for an institution, follow |
| protocols          | their collection policy and ethics       |
|                    | review requirements.                     |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+

Minimizing Collection Impact:
- Collect only the minimum number of specimens needed
- Avoid collecting from small or isolated populations
- Do not collect gravid (egg-bearing) females if population is small
- Record the abundance at the site — if the species appears rare, photograph instead
- Prefer common and abundant species for teaching collections

得： 諸必許已得，護種列已察，採者明知地上可採與不可採者。

敗則： 若許不可得，勿採。於原地攝之而用公民科學臺以識。若所採為護種，即告野生之局。勿棄標——意外之採宜報，勿匿。

第二步：擇採之法

擇合目類、境、研之法。異法取蟲群之異部。

Collection Methods:
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Method             | Best For                                 |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Sweep net          | Flying and vegetation-dwelling insects    |
|                    | in grasslands, meadows, and low shrubs.  |
|                    | Technique: sweep in a figure-8 pattern   |
|                    | through vegetation; empty net into a     |
|                    | killing jar or collecting bag after      |
|                    | every 10-20 sweeps.                      |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Beating tray       | Arboreal insects on trees and shrubs.    |
|                    | Hold a white sheet or tray under a       |
|                    | branch; strike the branch sharply 3-5    |
|                    | times; collect dislodged insects with    |
|                    | an aspirator or forceps.                 |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Pitfall trap       | Ground-dwelling insects (beetles,        |
|                    | ants, crickets). Bury a cup flush with   |
|                    | the soil surface. Add a rain cover.      |
|                    | Check every 24-48 hours. Use propylene   |
|                    | glycol as preservative (non-toxic to     |
|                    | mammals; do not use ethylene glycol).    |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Light trap         | Nocturnal flying insects (moths, many    |
|                    | beetles, lacewings). Use a white sheet   |
|                    | illuminated by a mercury vapor or UV     |
|                    | light. Operate from dusk to midnight     |
|                    | or dawn. Most effective on warm, humid,  |
|                    | moonless nights.                         |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Malaise trap       | Flying insects, especially Hymenoptera   |
|                    | and Diptera. A tent-like mesh barrier    |
|                    | that intercepts insects in flight;       |
|                    | they walk upward into a collecting head  |
|                    | containing preservative. Runs            |
|                    | continuously; check weekly.              |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Aspirator (pooter) | Small, delicate insects that cannot be   |
|                    | handled with forceps. Suck the insect    |
|                    | into a vial through a tube (a mesh      |
|                    | filter prevents inhalation). Use only    |
|                    | mouth-operated aspirators with a filter. |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Pan trap           | Pollinators and small flying insects.    |
|                    | Colored bowls (yellow, white, blue)      |
|                    | filled with soapy water. Place at        |
|                    | vegetation height. The soap breaks       |
|                    | surface tension; insects fall in and     |
|                    | drown. Check every 24-48 hours.          |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Hand collection    | Large, slow, or sessile insects.         |
|                    | Pick directly with forceps or fingers.   |
|                    | Useful for bark-dwelling beetles,        |
|                    | caterpillars on host plants, aquatic     |
|                    | larvae under rocks.                      |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+

得： 一或數法依目類與境擇之，具於入野前備齊。

敗則： 若法不出標（如大雨中掃網），換法。光誘需特候——暖、濕、靜、無月之夜為佳。若候惡，改期勿低效行陷。

第三步：仁速殺標

殺所採之蟲宜速且仁。久苦損標（斷肢、失鱗）且於倫不可。

Dispatch Methods:
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Method             | Procedure and Notes                      |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Ethyl acetate      | Place a wad of absorbent material        |
| killing jar        | (plaster of Paris or tissue) in the      |
|                    | bottom of a wide-mouth jar. Saturate     |
|                    | with ethyl acetate. Place insects in     |
|                    | the jar; death occurs within 1-5        |
|                    | minutes for most species.                |
|                    | Caution: ethyl acetate is flammable and  |
|                    | an irritant. Use in well-ventilated     |
|                    | areas. Do not inhale.                    |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Freezing           | Place live insects in a container in a   |
|                    | freezer at -20C for 24 hours. Suitable   |
|                    | for specimens brought back alive.        |
|                    | Produces well-relaxed specimens ideal    |
|                    | for pinning.                             |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Ethanol drowning   | Immerse directly in 70-95% ethanol.      |
|                    | Used for soft-bodied insects that will   |
|                    | be wet-preserved (larvae, aphids, small  |
|                    | Diptera). Not suitable for Lepidoptera   |
|                    | (destroys scales) or specimens intended  |
|                    | for dry pinning.                         |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+

NEVER use:
- Cyanide jars (potassium cyanide) — extremely toxic to humans;
  obsolete in modern entomology
- Crushing or squeezing — destroys morphological features
- Prolonged suffocation — slow and damages specimens from struggling

得： 標速殺（分內）且損微。鱗翅別置以免觸他而失鱗。

敗則： 無乙酸乙酯，凍為諸類之佳代。野中皆無，置標於獨瓶或信（鱗翅用玻璃紙信折翅），歸即凍。勿留活蟲於封器無殺劑——必自損。

第四步：針標（乾存）

每標依其目之正處而針。正針之位關乎診特之達與久之構。

Pin Placement by Order:
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Order              | Pin Position                             |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Coleoptera         | Through the RIGHT ELYTRON (front wing    |
| (beetles)          | cover), approximately 1/3 from the       |
|                    | anterior edge, so the pin emerges        |
|                    | between the middle and hind legs.        |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Lepidoptera        | Through the CENTER OF THE THORAX         |
| (butterflies/moths)| (mesothorax), between the wing bases.    |
|                    | Wings must be spread on a spreading      |
|                    | board before the specimen dries.         |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Hymenoptera        | Through the RIGHT SIDE OF THE THORAX     |
| (bees/wasps/ants)  | (mesothorax), between the wing bases.    |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Diptera            | Through the RIGHT SIDE OF THE THORAX     |
| (flies)            | (mesothorax), between the wing bases.    |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Hemiptera          | Through the RIGHT SIDE OF THE            |
| (true bugs)        | SCUTELLUM (triangular plate between      |
|                    | wing bases), slightly to the right of    |
|                    | center.                                  |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Orthoptera         | Through the RIGHT SIDE OF THE            |
| (grasshoppers)     | PRONOTUM (just behind the head), to      |
|                    | the right of the midline.                |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Odonata            | Through the CENTER OF THE THORAX.        |
| (dragonflies)      | Wings must be spread. Alternatively,     |
|                    | store in glassine envelopes.             |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| All other orders   | Through the RIGHT SIDE OF THE THORAX     |
|                    | unless order-specific guidance is        |
|                    | available.                               |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+

Pin Selection:
- Standard entomological pins: stainless steel, sizes 0-7
- Size 3 (0.50mm) is the most commonly used general-purpose size
- Size 1-2 for small beetles and flies; size 4-5 for large beetles
- Specimens under 5mm: mount on a paper point (triangular card
  glued to a standard pin) rather than pinning directly

Pin Height:
- The specimen should sit approximately 2/3 up the pin (leaving
  room below for 2 labels and above for handling)
- Use a pinning block (stepped block with 3 heights) to ensure
  consistent specimen and label heights across the collection

Spreading Wings (Lepidoptera, Odonata):
1. Pin the specimen through the thorax
2. Place on the spreading board with the body in the groove
3. Use paper strips to hold wings in position
4. Adjust wings so the hind margin of the forewing is perpendicular
   to the body axis
5. Leave on the board for 3-7 days until completely dry
6. Remove paper strips carefully

得： 每標依目正位針、正高於針，需展翅者展之（鱗翅、蜻蜓）。待乾乃動。

敗則： 若標過乾脆不可針（肢折翅裂），先柔之。置標於柔室（封器內濕沙或紙附酚滴防霉）二十四至四十八時至肢柔。若針位誤，鮮時再針勝於誤裝。

第五步：乙醇存（濕存）

柔體之標，乾則縮變，必以液存。

Wet Preservation Protocol:
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Category           | Procedure                                |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Preservative       | 70-80% ethanol for morphological study.  |
|                    | 95-100% ethanol for DNA-grade            |
|                    | preservation (change ethanol after 24    |
|                    | hours to remove dilution from body       |
|                    | fluids).                                 |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Suitable specimens | Larvae (caterpillars, grubs, maggots),   |
|                    | soft-bodied adults (aphids, termites,    |
|                    | some small Diptera), aquatic insects,    |
|                    | immature stages (nymphs, pupae)          |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Containers         | Glass vials with screw caps or           |
|                    | polyethylene snap-cap vials. Avoid       |
|                    | rubber stoppers (ethanol dissolves       |
|                    | them). Label goes INSIDE the vial.       |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Fluid ratio        | At least 3 parts preservative to 1 part  |
|                    | specimen volume. Too little fluid        |
|                    | results in poor preservation.            |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Long-term storage  | Check fluid levels every 6-12 months.    |
|                    | Ethanol evaporates even through sealed   |
|                    | caps. Top up as needed. Store in a cool, |
|                    | dark location.                           |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+

Do NOT use:
- Formaldehyde/formalin for routine insect preservation (destroys DNA,
  poses health risks, requires special disposal). Some historical
  collections used it; modern practice strongly discourages it.
- Isopropanol as a substitute — it causes excessive hardening and
  color loss compared to ethanol.

得： 柔體之標存於 70-80% 乙醇（或 95%+ 為 DNA 之用）於標瓶附足液。

敗則： 野無乙醇，暫存於高度清酒（伏特加、Everclear）為急。速換實驗級之乙醇。若存過久於弱存液而現腐，或仍可識但不宜分子之研。

第六步：標之識

每標必附最少資之識。無識之標無科學之值。

Labeling Standards:

LABEL 1 (Locality label — placed closest to the specimen on the pin):
  Line 1: Country, State/Province
  Line 2: Specific locality (e.g., "3 km NE of Oakville, Elm Creek trail")
  Line 3: Latitude/Longitude (decimal degrees preferred)
  Line 4: Elevation (meters above sea level)
  Line 5: Date (e.g., 15.vi.2026 or 15-Jun-2026)
  Line 6: Collector name (e.g., "leg. P. Thoss")

LABEL 2 (Habitat/method label — below the locality label):
  Line 1: Habitat (e.g., "deciduous forest, oak canopy")
  Line 2: Collection method (e.g., "sweep net" or "light trap")
  Line 3: Additional ecological data if relevant

LABEL 3 (Determination label — lowest on the pin, added when identified):
  Line 1: Order Family
  Line 2: Genus species Author, Year
  Line 3: "det. [identifier name], [year]"

Label Format Rules:
- Use archival-quality paper (acid-free, resistant to fumigant chemicals)
- Print labels using a laser printer (inkjet fades; handwriting smudges)
- Labels should be small (approximately 13mm x 8mm) — do not obscure
  the specimen
- For wet specimens, the label goes INSIDE the vial on acid-free paper
  written in pencil or printed with a laser printer (ink dissolves in
  ethanol; pencil graphite does not)
- Pin labels below the specimen using the pinning block for consistent
  heights

得： 每標至少附地識含國、地、坐標、日、採者。濕標同資以鉛或雷射印於瓶內。

敗則： 野中未記 GPS 坐標，以圖依地描估之。日若不確，記最佳估附問號。附近資之標遠勝無識者。永勿移識自一標至他。

第七步：存而護集

正存以護標免物損、蟲、環之衰。

Dry Collection Storage:
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Component          | Standard                                 |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Unit trays         | Cardboard or plastic trays with foam     |
|                    | bottoms (plastazote preferred — pinnable |
|                    | and chemically inert). Specimens pinned  |
|                    | into the foam in organized rows.         |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Drawers            | Tight-fitting drawers that exclude dust  |
|                    | and pests. Glass-topped drawers allow    |
|                    | viewing without opening.                 |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Cabinets           | Steel cabinets with tight seals.         |
|                    | Compressed-air gaskets are ideal.        |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Pest management    | Place pest strips (dichlorvos/DDVP) or   |
|                    | naphthalene/paradichlorobenzene crystals  |
|                    | in each drawer. Check and replace every  |
|                    | 6 months. Museum beetle (Anthrenus) and  |
|                    | book lice (Psocoptera) are the primary   |
|                    | pests — a single infestation can destroy |
|                    | an entire drawer.                        |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Climate control    | Target: 40-50% relative humidity,        |
|                    | 18-22C temperature. Fluctuations cause   |
|                    | expansion/contraction damage. Avoid      |
|                    | direct sunlight (fades color).           |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+

Wet Collection Storage:
- Store vials upright in racks or jars
- Check fluid levels every 6-12 months; top up with fresh ethanol
- Store in a cool, dark, well-ventilated area (ethanol fumes)
- Keep away from ignition sources (ethanol is flammable)
- For long-term storage, use screw-cap glass vials; snap-cap
  plastic vials allow more evaporation

得： 乾標存於封屜附驅蟲。濕標正立附足乙醇。存處溫濕定。

敗則： 無館存，置針標於封塑器（釣具盒、Tupperware）附泡棉與驅蟲。此足為私集與短期。久存值之標，宜存於館或大學之集。

第八步：整而錄庫

以系整與資治養集為活科之源。

Curation Tasks:
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Task               | Frequency                                |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Pest inspection    | Every 3-6 months. Look for frass (fine   |
|                    | powder under specimens), cast skins,     |
|                    | or live pests in drawers.                |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Fumigant refresh   | Every 6 months. Replace pest strips or   |
|                    | crystals. Ensure drawers seal tightly.   |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Ethanol top-up     | Every 6-12 months for wet collections.   |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Repair             | Re-pin loose specimens. Re-glue detached |
|                    | appendages (use water-soluble PVA glue). |
|                    | Replace damaged labels.                  |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Identification     | Send unidentified specimens to           |
| updates            | specialists. Update determination labels |
|                    | as IDs are returned — never remove old   |
|                    | determination labels; add new ones below.|
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+

Database Entry (minimum fields):
- Catalog number (unique identifier for each specimen)
- Taxon (order, family, genus, species)
- Locality (country, state, specific location, coordinates)
- Date of collection
- Collector
- Collection method
- Determiner and determination date
- Storage location (cabinet, drawer, row, position)
- Preservation type (pinned, ethanol, slide-mounted, point-mounted)

Database Standards:
- Use Darwin Core format for interoperability with global databases
  (GBIF, iDigBio)
- Record coordinates in decimal degrees (WGS84 datum)
- Use ISO 8601 date format (YYYY-MM-DD) in databases
- Assign a unique catalog number to every specimen, even if unidentified

得： 諸標錄於庫附獨識、類、地、日、採者、存位。集有常察與養之程。

敗則： 若全庫不可，至少存手書之目或表，目號對應標。目號連標於資——無之則標與資於識失時斷。雖簡之號列勝於無目。

驗

• 採前已驗法之求且得許
• 採法合目類與境
• 標仁速殺
• 乾標依目正位而針
• 鱗翅、蜻蜓於乾前正展翅
• 柔體之標存於 70-80% 乙醇
• 每標附地識含日、地、坐標、採者
• 濕標之識以鉛或雷射印且置瓶內
• 存處附驅蟲與定環
• 諸標錄於庫或冊附獨識

陷

• 無許而採：非法所採之標不可用於刊研、存館、或越境。必先得權
• 採過：取過需之標無益而損群。取識之最少（常每形種每地五至十）
• 異地之標混一器：使整批地資不確。每採事獨器附臨識
• 針位誤：甲蟲針於胸中而非右鞘翅掩腹診之特。必察目之針位
• 乙醇度低於 DNA 之需：分子析需 95%+ 乙醇且二十四時後換以去體液之稀。常 70% 存形而 DNA 久則衰
• 忘於濕標內識：外貼之識可離。瓶內之識為永錄。必置鉛或雷射印之識於瓶內
• 忽蟲治：皮蠹（館甲）可於數週中毀整屜。常察與換驅劑於逾數月之集非可選

參

• identify-insect

  — 所採標之形識以二分鍵、翅脈、口器、觸角

• document-insect-sighting

  — 攝與境之書可補或代實採

• observe-insect-behavior

  — 採前或代採之行察之儀

• survey-insect-population

  — 系之群察，常需採標以識與憑