Techniques de préparation des Ichneumonides facilitant leur étude systématique

Abstract

We find it necessary: 1. To pin the Ichneumonids, even those of the small size when they can still stand a pin No 0. The finer pins, however, are not advisable, The sticking badly done often produces more difficulties than the pinning with the aid of inoxidable pins. 2. The wings should be opened and as far removed from the body as possible. On the contrary the legs should be folded and the antennae spread apart. 3. The very small species can only be studied when they are stuck on a thin piece of cardboard with a pointed end or fixed to an extra fine pin (minutie). The pointed end of the cardboard should be kept at a right angle and the insect glued at the end on the sides, the head always pointing in the same direction that is towards the left to keep to a uniform method of preparation and to facilitate comparisons. 4. Finally, it is essential that every specimen should be provided with a label where the name of the locality and the district are mentioned in capital letters alongwith the exact date of capture or hatching.