Weevil - Macrocheirus praetor

This weevil is very large and difficult to shoot.

*Specimen

comments (7)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

It also looks like a terrible flyer lol. Stunning shot though, really shows everything. Posted 3 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  I imagine it would be very clumsy. The whole thing is about 10 cm long, maybe a bit longer. I only have a couple other large insects to photograph and the remaining dozen or so are smaller. Some are already documented on JD, so I may skip those. We'll see. I'll be starting mothing back up in a week, plus hiking, and aquarium pics, so my insect collection might have to wait. Posted 3 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    They're not going anywhere. As you know, I also have a container in the freezer that I didn't even get started on :) Posted 3 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      Lol, true. Why are they in the freezer, though? I do keep some specimens in the freezer, but those are just local bugs that I keep for species verification purposes. Posted 3 years ago
    2. 1. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        The place where I ordered them recommended this. Is it bad to do it? I've heard that entomologists and extreme macro photographers do this often, so I figured it's normal. Posted 3 years ago
      2. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Not bad at all. I was just curious. I don't have freezer space to store much. I think how insects are stored has to do with the purpose, the type of insect, and if the storage is long or short-term.
        
        Certain insects are best stored in alcohol, but they can degrade over time. With refigeration/freezing, you can control factors like light, pests, and the insects stay fresher. But, moisture can be a problem long-term. Dry preservation/pinning/papering is pretty typical for collections, but humidity, light, moisture, and pests are all factors to be considered and controlled.
        
        I would think that freezing is perfectly acceptable for your purposes and probably ideal. Posted 3 years ago
        
        Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Good to hear. I normally do rehydrate them by putting them in contact lens fluid. Posted 3 years ago