Alcohol Preservation

[sinensispsyched]

I am new to preserving mantids once they've died, and I am starting with alcohol. Here are my questions:

1) How do you set everything up?

2) How long do you soak the subject?

3) Do you need to remove the guts?

4) Does it matter if the alcohol is below 50%?

 

[CoolMantid]

I did it once a long time ago but first I think you do need to remove the insides and or stuff it or leave it empty. Then I think you flatten it. After that you use pins to arrange the subject in the position you want it in. Then flatten it again. I never did the achohol part because I was at camp and they didnt want little 6 or 7 years playing with that stuff. So the teachers did it. Hope it helped.. Anyone else... Correct me if I am wrong.

 

[agent A]

whenever i try it the specimen goes black and the alcohol dries up

perhaps its not strong enough stuff i use, i use the isopropol my sister cleans her earings with