Stag Beetles

As the next work of 3D zotrope using drone beetles (link), I created a 3D zoetrope using butterfly. I used specimens of a black-veined white (Aporia crataegi). I purchased ten specimens for 400 yen at Insect Fair. I prepared poses like flapping motion frame-by-frame.    The general method of making a butterfly specimen is introduced on YouTube (for example, here). Procedure is basically like the following steps. Step 1: Cover the specimen from the head to abdomen with wet tissue…

Read More Read More

Recently, I found a paper that described how to mold an insect specimen in resin.   Bejcek, J. R., Curtis-Robles, R., Riley, M., Brundage, A., Hamer, S. A., & Hamer, G. L. (2018). Clear Resin Casting of Arthropods of Medical Importance for Use in Educational and Outreach Activities. Journal of Insect Science, 18(2), 34. https://academic.oup.com/jinsectscience/article/18/2/34/4955728   This post is written in compliance with the paper’s policy.   Why the authors introduce us how to mold a specimen in resin? They…

Read More Read More

In the first half, we saw the distortion trend “1) the center part was less affected, 2) the middle outer part expanded, and 3) the outer part was compressed. ” [Figure 1: A stag beetle specimen in hemispherical resin] Regarding this weird pattern, I aim to capture what is happening using the following tools. “Snell’s law” which explains refraction of light Free drawing software KSEG Excel Let’s first review the fundamentals of refraction of light. Refraction of light occurs when light in the air enters other substances (water, resin, etc.). [Figure 2: Basic of refraction of light-1] When refracted light enters the…

Read More Read More

I tried to encapsulate a stag beetle specimen in a hemispherical resin because I wanted – an unbreakable specimen (bare specimens are fragile) – to see the specimen in a resin from many angles (resins encapsulating a specimen often shapes rectangular and the specimen is only seen from the top or side) Figure. 1. A specimen of a stag beetle First, I made a specimen and encapsulated it in a hemispherical resin (Please also see Dandelion seed puffs preserved in resin). The product looked…

Read More Read More

I learned how to make specimen of an open winged stag beetle. The opportunity was given as an small group seminar.  I thank the teacher Mr. Inoue for providing this educational opportunity. Lucanus maculifemoratus was the one to be made. The insect was died several years ago and softened by hot water today. I was used to touch stag beetles for long years, but this is the first opportunity for me to open the wings of the insect. Using pins…

Read More Read More