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Vitali
Member Rosalia
Estonia
900 Posts |
 Posted - 25/01/2018 : 13:58:21
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I suspect everyone has experience with beetles killed and preserved by local collectors in alcohol or benzine, which become very stiff, fragile and sometimes impossible to spread.
This is probably a trivial question, but can anybody advise any other beetle killing method for the case when ethyl acetate or deep freezer is excluded?
I would like to forward the advice to some African collectors. |
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Xavier
Scientific Collaborator
France
10673 Posts |
Posted - 25/01/2018 : 16:43:52
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Nail polish remover, but check the label for ethyl acetate.
Nail polish remover can be purchased everywhere, I think. |
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Robert
Member Rosenbergia
Canada
1034 Posts |
Posted - 25/01/2018 : 17:25:00
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Yes, Xavier is right.
Usually, on a nail polish remover bottle, when it says "acetone free", the main ingredient is ethyl acetate.
At least it is the way it is labelled here in NA. |
Robert V. |
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Riana
Member Purpuricenus
South Africa
413 Posts |
Posted - 25/01/2018 : 23:22:09
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| why not mentholated spirits with 10 % TCP. you asking people in the bush to get something that is not available. |
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Norbert
Member Purpuricenus
France
278 Posts |
Posted - 26/01/2018 : 06:53:10
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Hello,
When I was living in Zambia, I always have few dozen nail polish bottles in my car to give to collectors in the bush.
Also rice, washing powder, food, clothes.... for them.
Few years before but THE best part of my life !
People are so nice there.
In case you have choice and you want to go there, I have some good places to share.
In one village, all were collecting beetles and with the money they earned, they have renovated the local school....
Norbert |
www.prioninae.org |
Edited by - Norbert on 26/01/2018 06:56:00 |
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Xavier
Scientific Collaborator
France
10673 Posts |
Posted - 26/01/2018 : 09:35:24
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The problem is to transport ethyl acetate in quantities (by airplane). Buy nail polish remover and give it to the hunters may be a solution. In Southeast Asia, they even sell them in small shops, so I do it when I'm out of acetate. In Africa, I don't know.
Then there may be other solutions... |
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Vitali
Member Rosalia
Estonia
900 Posts |
Posted - 26/01/2018 : 11:15:29
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Very interesting. Thank you all.
Indeed, I found a bottle of nail polish remover at home, which had "acetone free" label on front etiquette, while ethyl acetate and isopropyl alcohol were listed on the back side. I guess it would work, though probably not that efficiently as pure ethyl acetate.
Norbert, unfortunately I have no choice to go to Zambia myself, but do I understand correctly that it was possible to buy nail polish remover on the place?
One question to Riana. You probably meant "methylated spirits", but is this right 10% TCP that prevents insects from turning stiff and fragile after drying? Otherwise alcohol is alcohol irrespective of whether it is methylated or not. If a beetle is taken out of alcohol right before spreading, it can be spread normally. If it has dried in between, it is often impossible to relax. For that reason, beetle which are caught in alcohol jars in Malaise traps in Uganda, are sent here hermetically packed in alcohol soaked tissue.
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Xavier
Scientific Collaborator
France
10673 Posts |
Posted - 26/01/2018 : 11:58:27
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quote:
Originally posted by Vitali
nail polish , which had "acetone free" label on front etiquette
Yes, very important, otherwise insects are extremely difficult to spread ! |
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If one does not have ethyl acetate
