Forum Entomologi Italiani

Hi,
I want to ask the expert how to kill the insects and to relax them.I use a really simple way.I put cotton in a little jar and than pour some nail polish remover.But it is not useful because after the insects(Heteroptera and coleoptera) die their legs and antennea get closed and can not be stretched.I don't know why,maybe the poisen(ethyl acetate) in the nail polish remover is not enough to kill the insects properly.
Also I did a relaxing jar but the insects killed by the same killing jar above don't relax.When I try to stretch their legs they are easly broken.
What is the problem? Could you help a little bit??
Best regards,
Barış Çerçi

Most of people use ethyl acetate, and usually there is not this problem. Perhaps there is something else in the nail polish remover you are using. Or perhaps you put too much of it in the vial and insects are killed not by the vapors of ether, but by liquid ether; so they die too quickly. The ethyl acetate in the liquid state has a low surface tension, and penetrates quickly in the spiracles of insects, killing them in few seconds. But then they are difficult to prepare.

_________________
Maurizio Gigli
http://utenti.romascuola.net/bups
http://bup.xoom.it/

I still couldn't understand . Which is something good, killed quickly (in seconds) or slowly(in 2-3 minutes).The specimens killed by this killing jar kill in 2 or 3 minutes.Should they kill more quickly.
I also checked the ingredients and the nail polish remover doesn't contains ethyl acetat but it contains acetone.I think acetone is the problem.What do you think?

Sorry. I saw your question few minutes ago.

Specimens must die slowly to remain relaxed and be prepared without problems.

Acetone (Propanone) is not good to kill insects, but only to preserve them (together with water or vinegar).

There are some nail polish removers without acetone. Usually they are with ethyl acetate.

If you want, instead of ethyl acetate, you can use ammonium carbonate. It is sold in small crystals and it gives off ammonia if it is in contact with air.

_________________
Maurizio Gigli
http://utenti.romascuola.net/bups
http://bup.xoom.it/