Specimen Preservation-Hymenoptera

Parasitic Hymenoptera are best killed and preserved in 95 percent alcohol. This high concentration prevents the membranous wings from becoming twisted and folded, hairs from matting, and soft body parts from shriveling. This concentration may also be desirable if large numbers of insects are to be killed in a single container, such as in the killing jar of a Malaise trap, because the insect body fluids will dilute the alcohol