How to Pin Insects

A Guide to Pin Placement for

Different Specimens

Pin Height•Mount the insect about 1 inch up on the pin (1/4” of pin left at the top)

•For large insects, there should be enough above the specimen to allow easy handling.

Mounting on Points•Insects that are too small to pin must be mounted on points. A point is a small triangular piece of card stock.

•The pin goes through the thick part of the point. The insect is glued to the point of the triangle.

Mounting on Points•Look on page 13 of your Peterson Field Guide for more information or for reference.

Pinning Specimens•When pinning your insects, be sure that the pin goes vertically through the insect. The pin should not be angled at all. If it is angled, the insect will look off center when place on the styrofoam.

Pinning Butterflies, Moths, & Dragonflies•You will need to pinch a few pieces out of your styrofoam to allow the body to sit in. This allows the wings to dry perfectly flat instead of angled above the body.

Mounting Butterflies•The pin should enter the top of the thorax (just behind the head).

•The butterfly should be mounted 1 inch up the pin.

Mounting Butterflies•Place the butterfly on your styrofoam and place 2 pins on each side of the body.

•Then, use a pin to move the forewing to perpendicular (90 degree angle) to the body-Do on both sides

Mounting Butterflies•Place pins into the hindwing on an angle. This helps keep the wings flat.

•Then, place 2 pins on both sides of the abdomen to help support it. They will cross underneath the abdomen.

Mounting Moths•The pin should enter the top of the thorax (just behind the head).

•The moth should be mounted 1 inch up the pin.

Mounting Moths•When the first pin is in place, you will want to move the wings into the same position as you would with a butterfly (see Mounting Butterflies)

•Also, support the abdomen in the same way.

Mounting Dragonflies•Place pin through the thorax (in between the wings).

•Mount the dragonfly 1 inch up on the pin.

Mounting Dragonflies•You will need to spread the wings and support the abdomen just as you did with butterflies (see Mounting Butterflies).

Mounting Beetles•Pin placement should be through the right elytra

Mounting Bees, Wasps or Flies•Pin through the thorax, a little behind the forewings

Mounting Stink Bugs•Pin through the V-shaped shield (scuttelum), to the right of middle line

Mounting Grasshoppers•Pin through the thorax & to the right of the middle line

Mounting Labels•Mount the location/date label 5/8” up on the pin.

•Mount the collector’s name about 3/8” up on the pin.