Specimen Preparation: White-Tailed Bumblebee 🐝

This hands-on experience gave me insight to the attention to detail in cleaning and pinning insects informs me on conservation and preservation standards in collections management.

During the process, I encountered challenges, such as the loss of a leg, which highlighted the delicate nature of specimen handling and the learning curve involved. As this was my first attempt at preparing an insect specimen for preservation.

Since completing this preparation, I have also pinned a second White-Tailed Bumblebee. Unlike this first specimen, the newer pinning captures the bee with its proboscis extended and head angled downward, offering a striking anatomical contrast. This later piece demonstrates both variety in positioning and my growing confidence in specimen handling.

🧰 Materials and Equipment:

• 🐝 White-Tailed Bumblebee (first specimen found in Derbyshire)

• 🧼 Soap and water cleaning solutions

• 🧻 Paper towels (to blot dry)

• 🖌️ Paint brush to fluff up fuzz

• 📍 Stainless steel entomological pins

• 🤍 Styrofoam or pinning board (I use recycled parcel foam)

• ⏳ Drying time: several days in a cool, dry space

• 🫙 Glass display jar with cork stopper

⚙️ Preparation Process:

• 🫧 Initial Cleaning – Cleaned and softened the bee using soap and water solution

• 🪥 Detailed Preparation – Carefully pulling and pinning legs, wings, antenna, and the head into desired place.

• 🫙 Assembly and Curation – Arranged bee within jar using a single pin through the back in keeping of curatorial principles and aesthetic balance.

Pinned White-tailed bumblebee.

White-tailed bumblebee - Kirk Hallam, Derbyshire - 29/07/2022

Key Skills Developed:

• 🐝 Specimen Identification & Collection – Ethical collecting and observation skills recognising suitable specimens without harming local ecosystems, and identifying stages of decomposition and selecting viable specimens.

• 🧼 Cleaning & Preparation – Gentle handling and controlled cleaning developing precision when working with fragile wings, legs, and antennae. As well as learning how to soak and wash insects without damaging structures.

• 📍 Pinning & Positioning – Structural stability and anatomical accuracy with mastering pin placement to support delicate body parts. And ensuring natural positioning of wings and legs for preservation.

• 🪞 Display & Preservation – Curatorial design and long-term care creating visually balanced displays that are secure and engaging. And selecting archival materials (cork lid, minimal adhesives) to protect specimens.

• 🧠 Insect Anatomy & Conservation Knowledge – Gaining insight into the fragility of a bumblebee, recognising differences between insect preservation and other specimen types (e.g., bones, shells). As well as linking hands-on preparation to professional museum standards.

• 🏛️ Museum-Related Skills – Preventive conservation awareness applying handling and cleaning principles aligned with museum practice. Experienced in object care protocols, using professional standards in fragile specimen management.

• 🧩 Problem-Solving & Adaptability – Learning from mistakes, adapting to setbacks such as leg loss without abandoning the process.

• 🎨 Professional Skills – Attention to detail, patience, documentation and creative presentation.

Although I encountered setbacks—such as the loss of a leg—this process gave me a deeper appreciation for the fragility of insect specimens and the care required in their preservation. It strengthened my patience, precision, and problem-solving skills, while also giving me first-hand insight into the standards of conservation and collections management. These are skills I am committed to refining as I work towards a career in archiving and collections care, where even the smallest details play a vital role in protecting objects for the future.

💀 See more on my Instagram: @BonesByShannon 🪲

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