Bug Pinning for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide 🐝

One of my favourite aspects of my natural history practice is preparing and pinning insect specimens. It's a delicate, rewarding process that combines precision, patience, and respect for these tiny creatures. Whether you're just starting out or looking to improve your technique, I wanted to share my personal approach to insect pinning — from discovery to display.

🌸 Step 1: Ethical Collection and Initial Handling

Every insect I work with is ethically sourced — either found naturally (often deceased on windowsills or paths) or collected after natural death. I never harm living insects, and I always ensure I'm following local collection guidelines and wildlife laws. When I find a specimen, I take photos of its discovery, note the location and date, and carefully store it in a small container or envelope. This documentation practice mirrors professional museum standards and helps build good archival habits for future collections work.

❄️ Step 2: Preservation and Relaxing

If the insect isn't fresh, it needs to be "relaxed" before pinning to prevent legs and antennae from breaking. I place the specimen in a sealed container with damp tissue or cotton wool (not touching the insect directly) for 24-48 hours. This gentle humidity softens the joints, making positioning much easier. For very delicate specimens like butterflies or moths, I'm extra cautious with timing — too long and mould can develop, too short and the wings remain brittle.

📍 Step 3: Pinning and Positioning

Using entomological pins (not regular sewing pins — they're too thick and will rust), I carefully insert the pin vertically through the thorax. For beetles, the pin goes through the right wing case. For bees and flies, it's centred in the thorax. For butterflies and moths, put the pin through the center of the thorax between the wings.

I use a pinning block or foam board to ensure consistent height — about 2cm of pin showing above the insect. This uniformity looks professional and makes handling easier later. Then comes the delicate work: positioning the legs, antennae, and wings using fine forceps or a blunt needle. For butterflies and other insects with large wings, use small strips of paper and pin around the wings (never through its wings) to hold them in place while they dry.

⏳ Step 4: Drying and Setting

Once positioned, the specimen needs to dry completely — usually 1-2 weeks depending on size and humidity. I keep pinned insects in a safe, dry location away from direct sunlight, dust, and curious pets. During this time, the specimen sets into its final position. Rushing this step can ruin all your careful work, so patience really is essential.

🏷️ Step 5: Labelling and Display

When fully dry, I create small data labels with the collection information: species name (if known), location, date, and collector (me!). These labels are pinned beneath the specimen on the same pin or if using a display jar I tape a label to the bottom of it. Proper labelling isn't just good practice — it's what makes a specimen scientifically and historically valuable. Without data, it's just a pretty bug; with data, it's a record of biodiversity.

For display, you could arrange specimens in shadow boxes lined with foam or cork, sometimes alongside other natural materials like pressed flowers, leaves, or descriptions of their ecological role. Make sure the cases and other display pieces are sealed to protect against pests like carpet beetles, which can destroy insect collections.

🧰 Materials and Equipment You'll Need

• 🐝 Deceased insect specimen

• 📌 Entomological pins (sizes 0-3 depending on insect size)

• 🧊 Relaxing chamber (sealed container with damp tissue)

• 🪡 Fine forceps or blunt needle for positioning

• 📏 Pinning block or foam board for consistent height

• 🏷️ Card stock and pen for data labels

• 🔍 Magnifying glass for detailed work

• 🖼️ Display case or shadow box with foam/cork backing

• 🧤 Tweezers and gentle handling tools

⚠️ Safety and Care

Always handle specimens gently and with respect. Work in a clean, well-lit area with good ventilation. If you're working with found insects, wash your hands thoroughly afterward. Some people have sensitivities to insect proteins, so consider wearing gloves. Store your collection away from sunlight and humidity to prevent fading and mould. Most importantly, never collect living insects or take specimens from protected areas without proper permits.

White-tailed Bumblebee

White-tailed Bumblebee

Comparative Bee Pinning Post

🐝 Check out my other insect pinning blog posts: 1st Bee – 2nd Bee – Comparative Bee Pinning Study 🐝

🗂️ Linking Practice to Collections Care

My insect pinning practice has directly informed my approach to museum collections management today. The precision, documentation standards, and respect for specimens that go into pinning an insect mirror the care required in professional entomology collections. Each step — from ethical sourcing and proper labelling to preventive conservation and display — builds skills that translate directly to my work with natural history collections at the Yorkshire Natural History Museum. Understanding how to preserve and present these small creatures helps me appreciate the broader stories they tell about ecosystems, biodiversity, and environmental change.

💀 See more on my Instagram: @BonesByShannon 🪲

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