Our team members like to pickle stuff. However, we don't mean cucumbers or fruits but insect larvae!
The study of insects cannot be done without collecting specimens, whether for museum collections or as evidence for criminal investigations. However, unlike adults, larvae are soft and must be stored in special fluids. We have carried out the first major comparison of the effects of the most popular 'recipes,' looking at their long-term effects on preserving the color and shape of the larvae and even their DNA. We were able to find the most appropriate methods for the long-term preservation of larvae while revealing that some of the more popular 'recipes' can be rather harmful. The results will help anyone who works with insects, from amateur entomologists to criminologists.
You can read the full study here.