In 2017, we were asked to make three insect cases for the new Discovery Zone exhibit at the Florida Museum of Natural History:

  • four images of final exhibit cases
    The finished cases in the exhibit.
  • insect specimens in white boxes
    First, we selected the insects.
  • beetle specimens in a white box
    Beetles were our favorites, …
  • insect specimens in a white box
    … but we did not forget other orders.
  • pinned moth specimen
    When preparation was needed …
  • pinned spider specimen
    … preparation was done.
  • person arranging insects on plexiglass
    Next came the layout.
  • person arranging insects on plexiglass
    We arranged insects in two large groups:
  • insects arranged on plexiglass
    … with complete and incomplete metamorphosis.
  • person arranging insects
    Because insects were to be seen from both sides…
  • person arranging insects on plexiglass
    … they had to be mounted on the plexiglass.
  • insects pinned to foam
    So, first, we placed them on pieces of foam, …
  • person measuring dots with a ruler
    and then we put dots of hot glue on plexi, …
  • hot glue gun and safety goggles
    …(which, BTW, is a real pain) …
  • two people placing dots on plexiglass
    … exactly where the pin would go.
  • person dipping pins in glue
    Each pin was dipped into glue …
  • person sticking pins into glue dots
    … before we stuck it into the hot glue dot.
  • person gluing insects seen from below
    Sometimes several additional pins were needed …
  • person looking at glued insects seen from below
    … to keep a larger insect in place.
  • person placing insect on glue dots
    We wish that the labels were made ahead of time, …
  • written labels ready for installation
    … but they were not. Still, we managed to add them in.
  • two people carrying the plexiglass
    Then came the installation – a nerve wrecking exercise.
  • two people putting plexiglass in place
    It was fun and easy thanks to our fabrication experts.
  • two people putting plexiglass in place
    No insect specimens were broken during installation.
  • two people carefully cleaning display
    For cleaning the plexi from debris before closing the case, …
  • person cleaning plexiglass with cotton swab
    … we used professional tools (aka Q-tips).
  • toy VW beetle next to real beetle specimens
    We placed a toy VW beetle among the beetles :), …
  • plexiglass installed in wood frame
    … closed the lid, and all that was left …
  • new case with lighting on
    … was adding labels on the back side of the case.
  • array of insects arranged in a case
    The 2nd case was to showcase the diversity and beauty of insects.
  • insects mounted on foam-core
    Mounted specimens were pinned into foam-core board, ….
  • back of case showing mounts
    … z-mounted into the case, …
  • mounted insect board with clear lid
    … and protected with the plexiglass lid.
  • round clear display case
    This small round case was to show life history …
  • caterpillars in a clear dish
    … of the zebra longwing butterfly from egg to adult.
  • caterpillar specimen
    We used a 19th century technique of…
  • small tube inserted into caterpillar
    … inflating caterpillars with air like a balloon.
  • caterpillars tied with string
    They were tied at the end with a string once inflated, and dried.
  • finished painted caterpillars
    A bit of acrylic paint returned them their white color.
  • pressed passion flowers
    Passion vine flowers were pressed in a phone book, …
  • flower stamens pinned to foam
    but their reproductive organs were a bit more challenging.
  • round exhibit panel
    When finally all pieces of this puzzle were in place, …
  • final round exhibit panel
    … they were added together to illustrate the life cycle, …
  • final exhibit display table
    …. which one can see through a magnifying glass.
  • photo of exhibit space with The End text over it
    The end!