Longhorn Beetle
Jan 29, 2020 10:56:02 #
This is a little Longhorn Beetle sent to me by Bill (newtoyou) for one of my focus stacking sessions. The magnified face view shows how many of the insects exude a waxy substance that helps protect them soaking up water as well as acting as a form of waterproofing. I believe the scientific name for it is "waxy crud".
I've had some success lifting it off on larger insects although it is not possible for me to get it off of the smaller ones without the aid of a microscope. I tried using very hot water and it did a good job of melting it off however the hot water had an adverse effect on the eyes turning them white and clear so that experiment was a dud.
As always, thanks in advance to all those who view and for your comments, suggestions, questions, and critique.
I've had some success lifting it off on larger insects although it is not possible for me to get it off of the smaller ones without the aid of a microscope. I tried using very hot water and it did a good job of melting it off however the hot water had an adverse effect on the eyes turning them white and clear so that experiment was a dud.
As always, thanks in advance to all those who view and for your comments, suggestions, questions, and critique.
Jan 29, 2020 11:02:15 #
Jan 29, 2020 11:47:28 #
photosbytw wrote:
A face only mom could love............. 
Well done........ 
Well done........ Thanks, I have one of those faces too..!
Jan 29, 2020 12:00:48 #
Jan 29, 2020 12:31:34 #
Mark Sturtevant wrote:
Excellent pictures!
It's another 4-eyed insect, btw.
It's another 4-eyed insect, btw.
"All the better to see you with, my dear"
Jan 29, 2020 16:15:31 #
sippyjug104 wrote:
This is a little Longhorn Beetle sent to me by Bil... (show quote)
Tetraopes tetrophthalmus.
These are stem borers in common milkweed.
To remove the crud, I soaked in a 50/50 ethyl alcohol and water. Added a few drops of dishsoap.
After a few hours soak, warm all in hot but not too hot water an hour or so. Rinse on a piece of stocking with warm water. If that didn't do it, I quit.
Bill
Jan 29, 2020 17:17:18 #
newtoyou wrote:
Tetraopes tetrophthalmus.
These are stem borers in common milkweed.
To remove the crud, I soaked in a 50/50 ethyl alcohol and water. Added a few drops of dishsoap.
After a few hours soak, warm all in hot but not too hot water an hour or so. Rinse on a piece of stocking with warm water. If that didn't do it, I quit.
Bill
These are stem borers in common milkweed.
To remove the crud, I soaked in a 50/50 ethyl alcohol and water. Added a few drops of dishsoap.
After a few hours soak, warm all in hot but not too hot water an hour or so. Rinse on a piece of stocking with warm water. If that didn't do it, I quit.
Bill
Bill, thanks for providing the specimen and thanks for the recommendation to remove the waxy crud and I'll surely give it a try.
Jan 31, 2020 12:39:19 #
Jan 31, 2020 13:26:49 #
tinusbum wrote:
very good stack!
Thanks for viewing. I've had this critter preserved in alcohol for about six months now and I suspect that it is starting to loose a bit of its color from when I posted him below from the past.
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