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Need Help Preserving Ants

specimens preservation preserving ants tetramorium tetramorium immigrans tetramorium queen tetramorium immigrans queen queen ant

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#1 Offline Mettcollsuss - Posted January 21 2018 - 4:38 AM

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I have recently been looking into preserving ants. I don't have a lot of proper materials (still researching where to buy them), so I've been experimenting with other methods. I have plenty of bodies from a die-off in a Tetramorium immigrans colony to work with. One method that I tried is just adhering the dead bodies to a microscope slide with a little bit of Elmer's Glue.

 

Today an infertile Tetramorium immigrans queen died, and I want to be able to preserve her. With the workers, I can experiment around a little as I have plenty. With the queen, however, I only have one chance to preserve her correctly.

 

Is there a way to preserve ants using household materials? Keep in mind I want to be able to see these ants under a microscope.



#2 Offline gcsnelling - Posted January 21 2018 - 6:31 AM

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Clear nail polish or similar on a point is the standard method. Hide glue is used commonly as well. However being water soluble I do not like it. DO NOT use elmers or other white glue, EVER.

 

http://www.acad.carl...nt/PINNING.html

 

http://www.antwiki.o..._Ants_for_Study

 

http://www.antwiki.o..._Ants_for_Study


Edited by gcsnelling, January 21 2018 - 6:31 AM.

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#3 Offline dspdrew - Posted January 21 2018 - 2:50 PM

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Is there anything wrong with CA glue, that's what I have been using? It dries very quickly.



#4 Offline gcsnelling - Posted January 21 2018 - 3:15 PM

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Not that I am aware of. You need a glue that does not obscure features, will not allow the specimen to fall off in high humidity but is easily removable with a quick acetone soak.







Also tagged with one or more of these keywords: specimens, preservation, preserving ants, tetramorium, tetramorium immigrans, tetramorium queen, tetramorium immigrans queen, queen ant

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