Thripidae genera from China
Collecting and preparing thrips for study
B. Slide preparation for taxonomic research
The objective here is to prepare specimens onto slides with their shape and colour retained in a condition that is as close as possible to the natural, living state but with the body cleared so that surface detail is visible. This ideal is difficult to achieve, and a compromise must be adopted. There are two stages:
- Maceration to remove body contents
- Dehydration and mounting onto slides
Most specimens should be macerated to reveal fine details of body sculpture and minute setae. If possible, a few specimens should be prepared for study without maceration in order to preserve their natural colour.
Tools
Specimens can be manipulated or gently massaged with fine micro-pins (available from entomological equipment suppliers), mounted in sealing wax on match sticks or similar fine material acting as shaft-handles. Ideally, use a pair of such pins, one straight but the other with the apex bent. During the maceration and dehydration process, specimens will need to be transferred between different solutions. A simple lifting tool to move specimens from one dish to another can be made from a small loop of fine wire. Alternatively, alcohols and other solutions can be changed in dishes using a fine glass pipette. The most appropriate dishes to use are excavated glass staining blocks-glass blocks 15mm high and 40mm square with a median excavation of about 5ml volume, and with a glass lid to prevent evaporation.
tools
Before trying to slide mount a specimen a mounting block should be prepared. Fix to the centre of a microscope slide a 2mm deep layer of 1 inch square white card. Mark the centre of this with crossed lines, and then cover it securely with plastic tape to provide a clean, shiny surface on which a cover slip can be placed when preparing a slide.