The journey begins with selection. Seek a butterfly or beetle that has recently taken its final flight—its wings still supple, its colors vivid, as though nature herself painted it for your study. Observe carefully: not all specimens are ready for preservation. Look for wings free of tears, bodies free of decay, and antennae intact. Select insects that inspire you—a dramatic wing pattern, vibrant coloration, or unusual posture. For artistic purposes, symmetry is valued but not absolute; consider visual flow, balance, and composition. Even small nuances, like a curled antenna or slightly angled wing, can convey motion, emotion, or personality.

Specimens may be found in gardens, meadows, or the quiet corners of your own world—but modern curiosity also allows for sourcing from reputable, sustainable providers online. These careful purveyors ensure that every insect has completed its life cycle naturally, allowing you to preserve its beauty without harm to living populations. Whilst some resources outline steps on killing insects for scientific or artistic purposes, it is not something I advocate for in my own work and life and therefore will not outline here.

Consider the story each creature carries. Was it a restless wanderer of moonlit gardens, or a delicate dweller of sun-drenched meadows? Perhaps it was a common visitor or a rare marvel that flitted past unnoticed. Each choice is an invitation to curiosity and respect.

Handle your chosen specimen as if it were a tiny relic of a magical world. Haste or roughness can mar its delicate beauty; patience is the first act of preservation.

If desired, note peculiarities—the slight shimmer of iridescent scales, the faint curl of a wing, or the subtle pattern hidden along the edges. These whispers of individuality will guide you in the pinning process, ensuring your specimen rests in its full, peculiar glory.

Scientific note: Consider size and fragility. Larger specimens may require additional structural support to prevent warping during drying.

Artistic tip: Slight asymmetry is charming; a slightly tilted forewing or a delicate curve of an antenna can suggest motion, life, and personality.

Whimsical ritual: Hold each candidate lightly, imagining its story—where it flew, what blooms it brushed, and how it might dance in your display.

Every Peculiar Botanist knows that the right tools are as essential as patience and curiosity. Before beginning the delicate ritual of pinning, assemble your instruments with care. Each tool plays a role in this careful choreography, transforming a fleeting flutter into a preserved marvel.

• Insect pins: Slender wands of metal, the backbone of your craft. Choose sizes according to the fragility of your specimen; the thorax is their stage, and the pin serves as a quiet anchor. Handle with care, for even the tiniest misstep can mar a delicate wing.
• Soft foam or corked pinning board: A gentle landscape for your specimen, cradling it while wings, legs, and antennae are coaxed into natural repose.
• Fine forceps or tweezers: Guiding fingers when fingers alone are too clumsy. Use them to lift and adjust wings, legs, or antennae without disturbing scales or joints. Precision and gentleness are paramount.
• Paper strips: Humble scaffolding to support wings during drying, preventing curl or collapse. They act as both protector and stagehand in this quiet theater of preservation.
• Glass slides (in place of paper strips): Some Peculiar Botanists prefer glass slides to support wings during pinning. These slender, rigid surfaces replace traditional paper strips, holding wings flat and preventing curl, wrinkles, or pressure marks. Slides also allow careful observation of veins, scales, and patterns beneath, guiding precise pin placement.
• Sponges, damp towels, or rehydration elements: Tiny humid sanctuaries that coax stiffened wings and limbs back to pliability. A few drops of vodka in the dampening medium discourage mischievous mold while keeping the specimen pristine.
• Patience and a steady heart: Though invisible, these are your most potent tools. The tiniest insect responds to gentle guidance; haste or frustration can undo hours of careful preparation. Approach each specimen with calm attentiveness, and it will reveal its full, peculiar beauty.

Arrange these instruments thoughtfully, like preparing for a quiet ritual. Pins, boards, strips, slides, and dampened towels each play a part. Together, they allow you to preserve a tiny flutter of nature, transforming it into a delicate monument to patience, curiosity, and the peculiar wonders of the world.

Before your specimen can grace the pinning board, it must first be coaxed into pliability—a delicate awakening from its stillness. Here, the rehydration chamber takes center stage, a small, enchanted space where stiffened wings and limbs slowly yield to gentle persuasion.

To create such a chamber, line a shallow, lidded box with damp paper towels or a small sponge; your basic food storage container like Tupperware works just fine. For an extra touch of precaution against unwelcome mold—nature’s sneaky interloper—consider moistening your paper or sponge with a mixture of water and a few drops of vodka. The alcohol subtly discourages fungal growth while remaining gentle enough to invite flexibility into your tiny charge. Balance is key: too much moisture or alcohol can warp delicate wings, too little, and the specimen stubbornly resists your careful touch.

Place your specimen within this humid sanctuary and allow hours—or sometimes a full day—for it to relax. Check periodically, observing as wings unfurl, antennae soften, and tiny limbs regain their suppleness. This stage is a quiet dialogue, a patient negotiation between your hands and the creature’s natural design. Haste here is the enemy; gentle persistence is your ally.

As the specimen softens, note the iridescence of its scales, the gentle curves of its wings, and the intricate articulation of its legs. These subtle wonders will guide your pinning, ensuring that each tiny detail is preserved with the utmost care.

For some Peculiar Botanists, the rehydration chamber is more than a tool—it is a small ritual. Watching the specimen awaken in its tiny, moist sanctuary, one cannot help but feel a quiet reverence for the fragile, fleeting beauty of the natural world. Only when the insect fully yields to your gentle coaxing is it ready to proceed to the pinning board, prepared for its eternal repose.

Scientific note: Avoid soaking too long; the specimen should be pliable but not waterlogged.

Artistic tip: This stage is your first opportunity to envision the pose. Wings can tilt, legs can bend gracefully, antennae can curl delicately. Imagine a tableau: a tiny insect frozen mid-flight, a fleeting moment captured forever.

Other methods of rehydration include syringe and a chamber with damp sand; please feel free to research alternative rehydration methods to find one that best suits your preferences.

At last, we arrive at the heart of the ritual—the delicate act of pinning, where art and science entwine. Handle your specimen as a treasured guest in a secret garden, moving with reverence, patience, and careful precision.

1. Anchor the Body

Gently insert an appropriately sized insect pin through the thorax, slightly to the right of the midline to avoid internal structures. The thorax is the anchor, the center from which all other adjustments radiate. Hold the insect lightly above the pinning board so it hovers delicately, poised for eternity. The pin must pass through the thickest part of the thorax, perpendicular to the board, stabilizing the specimen without crushing it.

2. Support with Glass Slides

• Using Glass Slides: For fragile or unusually large wings, place thin glass slides beneath them instead of paper strips. The slides provide a rigid, smooth surface that keeps wings flat, prevents curling or pressure marks, and allows observation of veins, scales, and subtle patterns. Lay the slides beneath each wing as you adjust them, ensuring the wings rest naturally and symmetrically. Slides are especially helpful for precision and for preserving delicate species where paper strips might cause wrinkling.
• Using Paper Strips: For more conventional support, cut small strips of plain, acid-free paper. Place a strip gently across the wing, securing it with pins at either end to hold the wing in place. The paper cradles the delicate structure while still allowing airflow for drying. This method is particularly effective for smaller or less fragile specimens, and it adds a traditional touch to your Peculiar Botany ritual.

Whichever method you choose, adjust the wings carefully with fine forceps or a pin tip, nudging them into natural angles. Both methods can be combined creatively—glass slides for structural support, paper strips for subtle adjustments and finishing touches.

3. Spread the Wings

Using fine forceps, lift each wing delicately and spread it at its natural angle. Forewings are generally spread to about 90° relative to the body, or according to species-specific natural angles. Support tips and edges with slides or paper strips as needed to maintain symmetry, if desired. Adjust slowly to avoid damaging scales, and observe veins and patterns as you perfect the pose. Artistically you may spread forewings and hindwings to highlight patterns and colors, adjusting angles for artistic effect. Slight asymmetry can suggest fluttering motion or perspective. Use slides or paper strips to maintain pose during drying.

Scientific note: Maintain vein integrity and avoid creases; structural damage diminishes both artistic and preservation quality.

Artistic tip: Slight tilts or angles can create dramatic depth or the illusion of motion. The right angle can transform a lifeless wing into a flutter frozen mid-dance.

4. Arrange Legs and Antennae

Position legs and antennae as if the insect were mid-step or mid-hover, or stylized arrangements for dramatic effect, allowing each joint to rest naturally. Support fragile structures with small slides or pins if needed to prevent bending. Legs should be slightly bent at the femur-tibia joint, and antennae should lie symmetrically and untwisted, contributing to the lifelike pose of the specimen. Tilt or curve antennae to frame the head or emphasize symmetry. Small slides or pins can maintain delicate curves during drying.

This step is both sculptural and observational, blending natural form with artistic expression.

5. Final Symmetry Check

Step back and observe from all angles. Ensure wings are even, legs and antennae properly aligned. Make any subtle adjustments with a gentle touch. Even the smallest misalignment can disturb the harmony of the final display. Insert insect pins to stabilize the specimen without interfering with visual lines. For artwork that will be photographed or displayed, pins may be placed subtly or off-center, preserving aesthetic flow while maintaining stability. Think of pin placement as part of the composition—it supports the pose without drawing attention from the visual story.

6. Let It Rest

Leave the specimen undisturbed in a dry, airy chamber to dry fully. Glass slides may remain in place during this period to maintain symmetry, then be removed gently once the wings are stiffened. Maintain controlled conditions: low humidity (~50–60%), good airflow, and protection from pests. Most butterflies and moths require 7–14 days to dry completely before storage or display.

Whimsical note: This is a sacred pause, where time grants permanence to ephemeral beauty.

7. Best Practices

• Never touch wings with bare fingers; use forceps, brushes, or pin tips for adjustments.
• Document species, collection date, and location for scientific and historical value.
• Treat the process as a quiet ritual: patience and precision are equally important.

Whilst not necessary, some Peculiar Botanists know that memory alone cannot preserve the story of a specimen. Should you choose to, prepare a small label noting:

• Species name
• Date of collection
• Location
• Collector’s initials or notes

Attach the label to the pin beneath the specimen without disturbing the body. Accurate documentation ensures scientific value while adding a narrative element to the display. Think of the label as the specimen’s storybook page, chronicling its life and your careful care.

Artistic tip: Even artistic pieces benefit from accurate labels for historical context.

Once your insect muse has dried into a perfect, delicate form, the true magic begins: bringing it into the world as art. Display is not merely a matter of placing the specimen behind glass—it is an act of storytelling, a choreography of light, color, and form that invites viewers into the secret life of your collection.

• Choose the stage: Shadowboxes, glass frames, or mixed-media arrangements protect your specimens while creating depth.
• Arrange for flow: Group by size, species, or color gradient. Use wings, legs, and antennae to guide the viewer’s eye.
• Layering and depth: Slight elevation or overlap adds dimension and suggests motion. Glass slides or hidden supports can help.
• Lighting: Soft, angled light highlights textures, patterns, and iridescence, while subtle shadows add drama.
• Tell a story: Compose your display as a miniature scene—flying, resting, or dancing insects evoke life and narrative.
• Maintenance: Keep displays cool, dry, and periodically check for dust or pests.

Artistic Tip: Display is the final act of your Peculiar Botany ritual—think like a painter, sculptor, and storyteller at once. Each specimen contributes not only its colors and patterns but its personality and motion. When thoughtfully composed, a display becomes more than a collection; it becomes a miniature world of wonder.

Artistic insect pinning is as much about curiosity and imagination as it is about precision. Each insect is a tiny collaborator, and thoughtful composition, environmental awareness, and careful handling elevate a display from simple preservation to storytelling.

Preserving your insect muses requires gentle vigilance, environmental awareness, and thoughtful handling. A beautifully pinned specimen can last decades—or even centuries—if treated with care, while displays thrive when curated as both art and micro-ecosystem.

1. Handling Your Specimens

• Always handle insects with forceps, brushes, or gloves; direct contact can dislodge delicate scales or damage veins.
• Minimize movement once pinned or mounted; even slight bending can break fragile legs or antennae.
• For particularly delicate wings, consider temporary supports, such as glass slides or strips of acid-free paper, while adjusting for display.

2. Environmental Conditions

• Temperature and Humidity: Keep specimens in a cool, dry environment (ideally ~18–22°C / 64–72°F and ~40–60% humidity). High humidity encourages mold growth, while extreme dryness can make insects brittle.
• Sunlight Exposure: Avoid direct sunlight; UV rays fade vibrant colors and can weaken scales over time. Filtered light or indirect illumination is preferred.
• Airflow: Gentle ventilation prevents condensation or stagnation that could encourage pests or mildew.

3. Protecting Against Pests

• Common threats include dermestid beetles, mites, and silverfish, which feed on dried specimens.
• Periodically inspect your collection. Signs of pests include holes in wings, frass (tiny pellets), or detached body parts.
• Use natural deterrents like camphor, cedar, or small airtight enclosures; avoid harsh chemicals that could damage specimens.

4. Dusting and Cleaning

• Dust gently using a soft brush, fine paintbrush, or compressed air at low pressure.
• Avoid using water or cleaning solutions on dried specimens; scales and pigments are easily removed.
• For larger displays, carefully remove dust from frames or glass using a microfiber cloth without touching the specimens themselves.

5. Long-Term Preservation Tips

• Keep accurate labels with species, collection location, and date. This preserves scientific value while enhancing storytelling.
• Rotate specimens occasionally in displays to prevent fading from consistent light exposure.
• Avoid overcrowding; specimens need space to prevent accidental damage.
• Consider storing spare specimens in airtight boxes or drawers for educational purposes or artistic experimentation.

6. Whimsical Care Philosophy

At Peculiar Botany, caring for your pinned insects is an act of reverence. They are tiny ambassadors of nature’s beauty, delicate storytellers frozen in time. Proper care is a mix of gentle stewardship, environmental mindfulness, and aesthetic arrangement, ensuring that your collection continues to delight, educate, and inspire for years to come.