Determining the Best Insect Pins for Entomological Studies

The Frost Entomological Museum at Penn State houses approximately 1,000,000 specimens of arthropods, including more than 15,000 unique species. Most of these specimens are preserved using the pinning method. However, substandard pins have been found to pose threats to the specimens over extended periods of time. Bent shafts and broken heads make it more difficult to manipulate the specimens and verdigris (corrosion) formed can contaminate and break them apart. Despite the harm, no particular research has been performed to investigate the best pins to be used without damaging the specimens. To fulfill this gap, this research focuses on determining the best pins for entomological research through exploring the creation of pure bending tests, pull-out tests, and salt spray tests designed specifically for insect pins. These findings will help the entomologists to secure important details associated with the specimens for future research.